A couple questions about my cats Rabies shot?

Question

I adopted a cat from my local humane society last week. They offer a free vet check up within 10 days at most local vets.

My cat needed her rabies shot, and she also got her PCRCC shot (not too sure what this shot was). Anyways, for just the two shots (the check-up itself was free) the vet charged be $99 CDN (approx. $85 US). I was shocked! Does that sound right???

My other question is that since my cat got the shots, she's been doing nothing but sleeping. It's been about 24 hours now. Is that normal?

Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

Shots aren't cheap - my dog's last check up cost over $100, and she only got her rabies shot and a check up. Vaccines usually run about $35-$50, depending on what it was, so getting 2 for $100 might be on the higher end, but not too bad.

Some animals are sleepy after getting their shots, and cats are champion sleepers.. was she "lazy" before the shots? Have you noticed any other changes, such as not eating, favoring or licking the needle site, or making excessive noise? Wait another day or so, and if it doesn't improve, try calling your vet's office and asking if you should be concerned.

One tip for prices at a vet - before I got my dog, I called around to every vet in the phone book, and asked them about their prices on visits, spaying/neutering and other services. Not only did I find out what to expect to pay, but I learned which vets are happy to help with advice, and which want you to come in (and therefore, pay a visit fee) to get info. Don't go to the cheapest vet you can find (for example, I found that one vet in my area charged almost half of what other vets charge, but he recently closed his practice, due to complaints about his careless attitude), but don't think that high price necessarily equals high quality care, either.

Answer 2

I can't answer the question about the price... that will vary quite a lot from one part of the world to another. My vet wouldn't have been that much but we are in a very rural small town... that makes a huge difference. Some vets may give you a free check up but then charge things like office calls on top of everything so you may want to see if they do things like that.

Your question about the shots - PCRCC is feline distemper combination shot (a 4 way vaccine for upper respiratory viruses). In my experience, they can be pretty sleepy for a day or two following the vaccinations. I would probably make sure they are not given on the same day in the future (like maybe do one at the beginning of the month and one at the end of the month so her immune system isn't so overloaded).

Answer 3

The sleepiness is normal, the cost of the shots sounds kinda high to me. I would call around to local vets and get over the phone estimates on what it would cost to get the same shots. If it varies greatly I would question the vet and make sure they didn't charge you for an office visit.

Answer 4

Just like our babies when they get shots, they could be a little feverish for a day or two. Double check with your vet however on possible side effects as well as a detailed invoice with the services that your cat received.

Answer 5

The cost depends entirely on your demographics and economy. You cat sleeping all the time post vaccination could be a vaccine reaction that typically resolves on it's own (especially depending on what type of vaccines that cat received in the past). If the cat develops sores in the mouth, starts vomiting/diarrhea or stops eating, call your veterinarian.

Answer 6

Some cats have a reaction to the shots and need to be given an injection of benedryl with their shots. I have one who does. SHe will hide and sleep for days if she does not get the benedryl with her shots.
I just had her done and it cost me $16.50 for the booster shot which is the PCRCC one and $10.10 for the rabies and $9.00 for the benedryl shot.
That sounds a little high for shots.