My cat is 3 years old and last visited the vet a year and a half ago. She is a house cat.?

Question

She never goes outside and I have no other pets. At the last check up she had all her shots and was in excellent health. Should she go back to the vet for shots? What does she need?

Answer 1

if she looks and feel good then don't waste your money on unnecessary doctor visits. instead buy vitamins and nutritional food for your cat.

Answer 2

This is a individual call. Some communities have laws on the books that requires rabies vaccinations each year. Obviously, this is geared towards outside cats, but the law does not distinguish between the two. Studies have shown that most vaccines last at least 3 years and a few even report that distemper vaccinations can last over nine years. In a very small percentage of pets, the vaccinations cause violent reactions or develop a cancer growth at the site of the injection. There is some evidence that links vaccinations to kidney disease. So you must weigh the risks and make your own decision. My cats have always been vaccinated at a young age, then never again. My last cat lived to be 21 without every going to the vet (except for the last 2 months of her life).

Answer 3

They still need annual boosters to their shots and should be checked out. Most vets recommend annual visits, but a really good vet will level with you about just how often you *need* to come in and what shots an indoor cat who never comes in contact with other cats will actually require (mine did).

If it's been a year and a half since your last vet visit, you might want to make an appointment and then take the opportunity to ask. If you feel like he/she isn't being honest, find a different vet.

As your cat gets older, annual visits are really important because old cats (like old people) develop problems that might not be noticeable to you until it's too late to take care of them (our vet caught diabetes in one cat and early kidney failure in the other - both are doing great). It turns out, both conditions had symptoms that we didn't think were a big deal (drinking more water and occasionally soiling the carpet) but could have killed them if left untreated. Besides shots, the check ups will include a blood and urine test to screen for diseases and organ problems. Also, some vets can give you freebies and good advice. Ours is great and our cats look forward to their trip to his office. And spending $50 a year on the vet (for 2 cats) is nothing - they're now 16 years old and I give my vet a lot of credit for that.

Hope that helps...

Answer 4

She would need a rabies vaccination if the vaccination that your vet gives is a one year Purevax.

It would depend on what your vet would recommend. Some recommend giving vaccinations to strictly indoor house cats every two years, some do it yearly. There is some confusion about exactly how long the vaccinations last as the pharmeseutical companies can't seem to be able to tell anyone how long the animals would be covered for. If you do decide to get her vaccinated, it would be an FVRCP.

Yearly checkups are good if for nothing else to do a dental check and check the overall health of the animal. Rabies is mandatory I believe (at least for dogs), discuss other questions with your vet.

Answer 5

Hmm...Well my cat is 12 years old and hasn't visited the vet in several years. She is mostly an indoor cat (occasionaly steps outside for a few minutes) and seems to be in great health still. I suppose that is living proof it is not necessary. However, there are just as many examples out there of cats that should have had a checkup/shots. I say if you are willing to spend the money and take the time, it is better safe than sorry. Your question made me think that maybe I should take my cat in soon- just in case!

Answer 6

It is always advisable to get pets checked by a vet once a year, even if they are indoor cats.

The only things indoor cats are safe from are feline leukaemia, FIV (assuming they NEVER get out or come into contact with other cats) and being run over by a car. They can still get cat flu and other illnesses, and they can certainly still get fleas and worms.

I would advise taking her back to the vet once a year for a general check up and chat, even if you aren't going to get her vaccinated any more (I would advise still getting a cat flu shot but it's up to you, discuss it with your vet). It's also good to maintain some kind of a relationship with your local vet so you know what they can offer in the event you have a problem - i.e when you can ring them for advice, when you can go in in an emergency.

As your cat gets older (over 8 years of age) it becomes even more important to get those yearly checks, as senior cats are more prone to developing conditions. They need their teeth and weight checked at a minimum, so that problems can be caught early.

Chalice

Answer 7

I would call the vet and see what shots a 1 and a half year old kitten to 3 year old cats needs and if there are any I suggest getting them because it is always better to be safe than sorry, and It would be verry sad if your cat died, also the can check her for heartworms and stuff like that that could possibly kill her. If you have the money it is worth the visit.

Answer 8

I'd get a checkup annually and skip the vaccinations. If she had her shots when she was a kitten, she is protected. Being an indoor cat she has very little chance of actually contracting any of the diseases she was vaccinated against. Also I've been reading that there is a link between shots and tumors growing in the same area. I won't be giving my cat annual vaccinations after doing my research. She's 4 yrs old, but we just got her last summer.

Answer 9

If she has all her shots she shouldn't have to go back for more shots. Also, if your cat never goes outside and the only time she goes outside is to go to the vet, than yeah she's a house cat.

Answer 10

If your cat is otherwise healthy, she should go to the vet every year for a checkup. Taking her in regularly for exams will save you money in the long run, and your cat will live longer and be healthier.

Answer 11

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