Will a rabies shot have side effects for my 15yr old cat?

Question

I have had my 15 y.o.cat before the kids and husband came along .Even though my cat is in good health for his age I don't want to have him get this shot and have him have health complications to where I would have to put him to sleep. Please help with this answer.

My cat has not been bitten. the place where I live wants every pet owner to have tags for them /on them if or when they are outside.He is an indoor/outdoor cat . He is not aggressive by any means, he actually loves people and kids.

Answer 1

I would not give your cat the shot unless it is required by law in your city. Vaccinations can kill older cats and often do. Many vets will not tell you this as that's how they make money.

If it is required that you get this shot for your cat, there are options. Some vaccinations are less toxic then others and there are specific supplements you can give your cat prior to and after the vaccination. If there is a holistic vet or vet that uses natural medicines in your area, they will be able to advise you on this.

My cat was almost killed by a rabies booster when she was 10. The vet swore it had no side effects but I have since read many articles and books that state otherwise and have scientific studies listed to back it up. After suffering kidney failure I was able to save her using IV fluids and holistic medicines, but it was a very long battle.

Here are two great books for information on vaccinations and cat health in general http://www.amazon.com/Homeopathic-Care-Cats-Dogs-Animals/dp/155643295X/ref=sr_1_1/002-6408392-5924800?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1180459248&sr=1-1

http://www.belfield.com/books.html#cat

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Side Effects Of Rabies Shot

Answer 4

Is this the booster shot? Your cat should have already been vaccinated for rabies. if your cat has never been vaccinated, you should consult the vet. If you cat has been in contact w/ an animal that you THINK may have rabies, call animal control. They will test that animal and your cat can be diagnosed that way.
If your cat has been vaccinated as a kitten aganist rabies, ask your vet if, since the cat is so old, they can skip the booster. This is usually ok with an older cat IF they don't go outside. I am not quite sure what answer you are looking for with this b/c you didn't provide adequate information.

Answer 5

I tend to agree with noone....All the time I worked for a vet, and have owned multiple cats myself I've never known the vaccinations to cause a reaction like this. Typically the vet will tell you that a slight fever and a little lethargy and sometimes even a pea sized lump at the injection sight will rise up. As long as the cat seems back to normal by the second day after the shot it's nothing to worry about. Noone is correct. Most of our cats and dogs will suddenly hate the other after a trip to the vet. If both cats will fit in one large carrier however, that tends to keep them from turning on each other; but that doesn't stop others from turning on them. As long as the younger one isn't seriously trying to hurt the other one I'd just stay out of their way, and let them sort things out. Unless there is a more serious problem brewing, they should be back to normal in a day or two.

Answer 6

Hi!

I am a Vet Tech at a feline only animal hospital. Rabies Vax's are very controversial. There is one that is safe and many that are not.

The American Association of Feline Practitioners only recommends one specific type of vaccine for Rabies. It's called PureVax and is made by a company called Merial. It's a one year vaccine made with a live virus. It costs more, and because of that many general vets do not use it.

Other brands of Rabies vaccines are made with a "killed" virus and have been linked to cause injection site sarcoma in cats. This is a cancer at the injection site. It does not happen to ALL cats, but it happens to enough of them to make the uses of these vaccines extremely dangerous.

Also, many people do not believe it is necessary to vaccinate a strictly indoor cat for Rabies every year, and many vets agree with this. Many municipalities use Rabies tags as a source of income, despite the fact that it is unnecessary and harmful to the animals.

However, if you do decide to vaccinate your cat for Rabies make sure you use the safe vaccine.

Answer 7

Why would you give your cat a rabies shot at this age? Is he an outdoors cat? If not, where would he get the rabies from? Besides, where do you live? I am pretty sure there has been no rabies where you live for the last 40 years. Ask your vet about side effects, but frankly rabies is pretty much extinct in the western world. Your family is in no risk from it, and your cat can't get it if he is indoors.

I hope you have realized that the stupid first answer with the oven is a sick joke.

Answer 8

I think you should ask your vet's advice. I have an 18 year old cat who has never had a reaction to a rabies shot, but my 7 year old cat developed a tumor after her second year rabies shot and she required surgery to remove it. I was told that 1 in 10,000 cats have a reaction. Since then, I've declined the shot for the one with the reaction, but my vet has to note the reason for not giving it. Most states require the shots.