cat vaccines?

Question

My cat is 12 years old and stays indoors. She received all her vaccines when she was a kitten but since then, she hasn't had any. My mom's indoor cats lived 20+ years without any vaccines other than the initial ones as kittens and they never got sick. Is it really necessary if she's an indoor cat? If so, which ones are necessary and why? I worry about potential reactions because of her age. Thank you in advance for all answers!

Answer 1

Vaccinations are absolutely unnecessary for an older cat who lives indoors and has no exposure to those things she could be vaccinated for.

It is much wiser to put your money now in a vet exam and blood work to get a baseline reading of kideny and liver function, blood glucose and thyroid secretion levels etc. Many health problems of older cats are diagnosed this way and many also can be treated effectively to ensure your cat has a long and healthy life.

Answer 2

That's a good question. If your cat is purely an indoor cat and has zero chances of coming into contact with another animal, and she is 12 years old, then she may need only the Rabies shot (becuase it is prescribed by law) and the distemper shot (becuase the virus can be carried into yout home via your shoes). There is a Rabies Vaccine availabe now that is specifically constituted for cats and lasts for 3 years. It is just a little more expensive than the commin rabies vaccine but is safer and more effective, according to my vet. But you need to weigh the risk exposure of your individual cat yourself based on the cat's lifestyle and your particular environment (are there are lot of comings and goings in that household - kids? Are there wild animals outside - raccons, squirrels,?).

Answer 3

In most places you are legally required to keep the cat's rabies vaccination up to date. You should get it updated just in case she gets out or a bat gets in; if an un-vaccinated cat gets bitten or bites someone, you'll have to have her quarantined.

Indoor cats have much lower exposure risk to contagious illness, and even initial vaccines may (we're not really sure) provide protection for many years. There's no legal requirement to keep vaccinations other than rabies up to date, although you might not be able to get her kenneled or travel with her to certain places. If the cat is otherwise OK and you don't want to do any more vaccines - especially in an older cat - you'll probably be fine.

Answer 4

Most animals do not react badly to the shots. A few do though and benedryl is sometimes a help for that. Most of the risk that you take is that most of things they vaccinate against are contagious things, which means if you go walk to your neighbors house the germ is there you can bring it back to the cat. Or other animals that come visit, or other people that come visit. Some of those germs can stay alive for a long time mths so it doesn't even recently have to be put some place for it to be there.

You have to think of it kinda like people and the flu. People that don't go out are less likely to get the flu but because other people come in to and leave their house they do still sometimes get it.

Answer 5

My cats are both indoor cats too and they have been for years. They have no desire whatsoever to go outside. I could leave the door open all day and they'd never go out. We've always gotten them their yearly shots, but it's very traumatic for them. The whole ride to the vet and being stuffed into a pet taxi, sitting in a waiting room full of strangers and other pets and being handled and poked by a strange person. The older cat is nearly 16 years old. I'm thinking of not getting them their shots this year. They do need a yearly physical and I understand that, but I might just bring the younger one in.

Answer 6

Rabies is required by law - most rabies vaccines are good for three years but in most states a rabies vaccine is required every year. Distemper is also recommended. FIV/FelV tests are recommended for outside or inside/outside cats for feline aids and leukemia but if your cat NEVER goes outside this isn't really necessary. Vaccine reactions in cats will usually be known when they are given their kitten vaccines. It is very rare that an older cat would have a vaccine reaction if she has already been given shots before. Your vet can give her a preventative shot for a vaccine reaction if you notice lethargic behavior, vomiting, excessive saliva or drooling and sometimes diarrhea. I believe vaccines are necessary especially rabies because they contribute to the health and well being of your animal. Along with the vaccines, regular vet exams can help spot potential problems and also catch problems early enough to treat to prolong life and improve quality of life for your animal.

in response to katie - cats don't get kennel cough (bordatella is the vaccine for dogs for "kennel cough")

Answer 7

my understanding is that although an indoor cat, they need basic vaccinations due to the possibility of various disease causing whatnot, coming into the enviroment via shoes, clothing etc. as long as there are no other animals from the outside world coming and going into the enviroment. i don't know for sure what the 'basics' are.
i believe the only safe place for kitties IS inside...thats why you are lucky enough to have a Senior Citizen cat!

Answer 8

My kittys and my moms are all indoors as well and lived from 18 to 22 years old so to me your kitty is still a young lady. :) The only thing we did was give them a yearly shot for distemper (incase they came into contact with another kitty through a screen) plus the rabis shot as its manatory in our states (tenn and mass) I dont know if it is in your state or not but if some one got scratched or bit...even by playing and wanted to make an issue out of it, you could be faced with alot of headaches there....that was my main reason for giving them to are "babies". The only concern I have with a kitty that age is having to put them "under" for anything...except for when you have to. I got both of mine kittys teeth cleaned and one of them almost didnt wake up. So I just kept a really good eye on any teeth problems and never did that again. Hope this helps.

Answer 9

I get my cats vaccines because I take my cats for regular check ups and they are exposed to other cats. They also get regular dental cleanings and such. I however do not get them rabies vaccinations because they never ever go outside.I worry most about kennel cough when we go to the vet.