Hi!
I have 2 indoor cats in my house. They go to the vet every once in awhile - but are gerenally very healthy cats.
I know our town have a Free Annual Rabies Vaccination fair at the town building each september. Our cats are fairly young (one is about 3 and the other, 4) and both had their rabies shots when we first got them. One of our cats ALWAYS tries to get outside (she'll do WHATEVER she can!) but the other doesn't care for the outside..in fact, he is scared to even PEEK outside the door (it's really cute. lol). Anyway...should I still get them vaccinated? The female is a VERY nasty cat to strangers. She loves us (but will even attack US at times) but the male is VERY mellow (but like I said, he doesn't care to even go outside!) I'm afraid the female would REALLY tear apart any veterinarian that will approach her! haha
What should we do?
Thanks!
2006-09-04 05:31:54 · 8 answers · asked by myotheremail108 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
Veterinarians and vet nurses are trained to handle animals, so don't worry about that aspect. Rabies is a viral disease which makes even placid animals aggressive, so I recommend it even for very friendly animals. Given that the vaccination is free, I strongly recommend taking the opportunity.
2006-09-04 05:35:08 · answer #1 · answered by Weeble316 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know.. that is a hard question.. I always do though because:
a) in case I take them to a veterinary for some reason, some vets will insist that the cat is vaccinated (Rabies) before they will look t the cat because sometimes cats bite.
b) in case of boarding, many boarding places require that the cat be vaccinated.
c) So many stupid, sue-happy in the world and even your friends.. so if the cat bites or even lovingly scratches a friend who is visiting, They would probably sue you because of it and if you do not have vaccination papers, it creates a problem.. Laugh if you will but people are dumb, stupid and LOVE to sue anyone for anything nowadays.
2006-09-04 05:40:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have not given my cats any shots for six years now. They are confined to my garden by cat fence-in.
They go to the vets at least once a year and my vets have never insisted they have a rabies shot. They were vaccinated when younger. Even my feistiest cats are quite subdued when they go to the veterinarian. Vets know how to handle fractious cats so I wouldn't worry about it. I do have vets who have many cats in their own homes. I think that's important to know in choosing a veterinarian for your cat.
My 22 yr old cat goes to the groomer every month for a bath. She is definitely a biter and they muzzled her at first. Now she just loves her grooming and bath and is no trouble. The groomer's never gave me any flack about her not being immunized for rabies. At her age no vet would do it anyway.
You might read what Dr. Jean Hovfe says about vaccinations. She is at www.littlebigcat.com and has an article there titled "Vaccination." It might help you make an informed decision.
2006-09-04 06:13:19 · answer #3 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Vets know how to handle aggressive animals, so let them worry about that. It never hurts to get your pets vaccinated even if you really believe it is unnecessary. If the cat were to ever bite someone and they go to the Dr for the bite, That Dr has to by law report the bite to the authorities.. If that were to happen you would wish you had those vaccinations up to date!
2006-09-04 05:40:54 · answer #4 · answered by southernfriedblondie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is the LAW!!!!! All cats and dogs MUST be vaccinated. IF they are not vaccinated and bite somebody, or there is a bat in your house that tests positive, the health dept can make life VERY hard and expensive for you. It is cheaper to just get the vaccine.
Especially if it is free.
2006-09-04 06:49:21 · answer #5 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even though they are indoor cats it is best to get the shot. 1x a year. They used to do every 3 yrs, but it caused cancer. I have 2 indoor kitties and they get their shots.
2006-09-04 05:34:06 · answer #6 · answered by btlrboyz 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they need the shots by law and the vet has seen it before....your not the only person who has had an aggressive cat....but you want it to have shot if the cat bit someone it should be quaritined for 10 days if it didnt have shot...
2006-09-04 05:37:09 · answer #7 · answered by d957jazz retired chef 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the vet' know what to do. just go there and stand in the q.
2006-09-04 05:38:44 · answer #8 · answered by zilber 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋