my cat is 18 years old,and I had it rabies shot years ago,I lost the papers years ago !?

Question

the animal warden wants me to get it shots again !some people say my cat will die because of its age ! It has been an inside cat ! never been outside! will it die!

Answer 1

Rabies vaccines are given on a one or three year schedule, but the vaccine does stay in the body for a few years longer. however 'years ago' usually means it's been too long and there's nothing left of the protection the vaccine offered from the last time you had your cat vaccinated.

Even 18 year old cats can get the vaccine, BUT make sure that the cat is healthy first. A vet should not vaccinate an ill cat, even if the law requires all cats to have it. Most vets won't because it's not good for the cat.

Don't listen to 'some people', you need to listen to the vet. The vet is the one trained in animal medicine. My 20 year old cat got his rabies shot every three years, and wasn't harmed by it. My 10 year old FIV positive male won't ever be vaccinated for rabies by the vet because his immune system is so low it can't use the vaccine for protection--and the vet knows this and won't vaccinate him. Don't listen to 'some people', just make an appointment for a checkup and discuss it with your vet.

Answer 2

It won't die. Reactions to vaccinations are usually quite mild even in older cats. The cat may sleep a bit more that day and they may be some tenderness at the injection site, but that should be it at the very most. Your cat really should be vaccinated, even if it is an inside cat and elderly. Besides it is the law.

If cats are vaccinated regularly over the years and are inside only, some vets will reduce the amount of vaccinations as cats age. The exception is rabies, which is required by law. If it has been many years, it should be done.

Answer 3

Your vet should have the records, so don't sweat it. Rabies vaccine is good for 3 years. Also, cats over the age of 15 should not be given ANY shots whatsoever.

And by the way, why would the animal warden be after you if your cat is an inside cat and never been let out? You must be living in Ontario, Canada, where the pet gestapo is going door to door trying to get money out of pet owners.

Answer 4

Francis,

We own 2 cats 3 Greatdanes and several Chihuahuas. The Cats are about 15 yrs now. We get the 3 yr vaccinations on the older cats, and dogs.

I know where you are coming from on the age. We have 2 Chi dogs 15 and 17. I am really afraid to Vaccinate them, they are both house pups. I do all of my Vet work, except for rabies. The last Vet you took the cat to, should have it on file. You may also need to talk to the vet about your concern on giving the cat a rabies at it's age.

We are putting up a new website for pets soon. It is http://maryspetcove.lfchosting.com

Answer 5

Def. talk to your vet about getting the rabies shot. If the cat has not had it shots in years then it is def. do. But you are right that some believe that the age may be a problems I would call a vet and the some advice.

Answer 6

You have 2 options - get your cat vaccinated for rabies, or find out if your county accepts medical waivers for the vaccines. Some counties will accept a veterinarian's designation for an animal to be unfit for vaccination. This can be due to age or a particular health condition (kidney disease, for example.)

Talk to your county officers and your vet, you may not need to get the vaccine or a county license anymore for your cat. He is extremely elderly, as cats go, but I have seen cats much older than him in good health, so don't jump the gun too soon about assuming he's going to die any second. However, as kidney malfunction is one of the top geriatric diseases in cats, it is not out of the question that continuing to vaccinate him can shock his kidneys to the degree that they may become damaged.

Answer 7

just call the vet that gave the rabies shot years ago and ask for a copy of the old rabies certificate. . .
they will fax it to you or you can go pick it up. . .
years ago feline rabies was good for 3 years........
if the shot expired - -you better get another. . .esp. if the animal warden is looking for it. . .
you don't want to get in hot water there!!

Answer 8

Rabies vaccines require boosters every few years, so if it hasn't had the shot for a few years, it's overdue. Talk to the vet about your concerns, but I don't think older pets commonly die from vaccines.

Answer 9

What "animal warden"? That's ridiculous. No responsible veterinarian would give shots to a cat of that age.

I had a 22 year old cat and she had absolutely NO vaccinations after I got her at age 15 and she hadn't had any in her life previous to coming to me. The owners' veterinarian said they had only seen their dog and never their cat.

Answer 10

your vet will have the papers showing when it was last vaccinated... if its an indoor only cat - I think the warden is nuts for requireing another vaccination - have the vet write something...