My cat is about 4 years old, and had her shots when I got her at 3 months old. She stays inside and does not come in contact with other animals. My question is, is she supposed to be getting vaccinations regularly from the vet?
Thanks in advance for any helpful information.
2007-09-21 17:22:01 · 23 answers · asked by sweetienat123 6 in Pets ➔ Cats
All animals regardless of if they are inside or outside need to go to the vet for yearly check ups. Even if they seem fine its never worth taking chances.
2007-09-21 17:48:01 · answer #1 · answered by Caileigh'sMom 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If a cat is strictly indoor, not all vaccines may be necessary. A yearly exam is still reccomended to ensure that the pet is healthy, and a regular visit may catch any early health issues. However, for an indoor cat, it is reccomened by the American Association of Feline Practitioners that the cat still be vaccinated with the FVRCP vaccine. This protected the cat from very serious and contagious upper respiratory infections. If your cat should ever become sick or injured and need to be at the vet, they are at risk of other sick cats while in the hospital. I know it sounds silly, but it happens alot. People never take there cats in for vaccines....then something unexpected happens, the cat is hospitalized (we cant vaccinate while it is sick), while in the hopspital, the pet is exposed to other sick cats....and then gets sick itself.
Hope this helps!
2007-09-21 17:33:06 · answer #2 · answered by Shamrock 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
We have a lot of indoor cats. They have all been neutered, wormed and have no fleas. Not one goes outside unless he/she is in a carrier and going to the vet. We watch out cats carefully, and if any one of them is off their feed, sneezing or anything out of the ordinary, we take them to the vet.
If we acquire another animal, we isolate it for three weeks after the vet gives all the shots, etc. We have cats ranging from 9 weeks to 20 years old. Everybody is healthy because we take good care of them. I think if you keep her inside only, and she looks OK and eats well, (no digestive or other problems) I would forego any additional vet visits.
Of course, you will want to ask your vet about frequency of office visits and go by what they say.
Sounds like you are a very caring and conscientious pet
owner. You're doing a good job!
2007-09-29 16:50:02 · answer #3 · answered by Cat Lady 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats should be treated annually for feline leukemia. Unlike with dogs, there is no treatment for cats with leukemia and prevention is the only course of action. In addition, your cat should have regular rabies vaccines and take a monthly heart worm preventative. I would take her in just for a check up and to update these shots. Our cat doesn't get all of the others. She doesn't need them. She is an indoor cat with no exposure to other animals. INDOOR means no outside at all, not even on the porch. Our vet is really helpful and yours can answer any vaccination questions without pressure. They will tell you what is required for your states laws and health of your cat.
2007-09-27 12:10:13 · answer #4 · answered by alicat 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Its a good idea to bring them regularly, yearly. If you are strapped for cash but want your cat to be healthy just ask the vet to do the care that is only necessary for your cats health, I think its like maybe 2 shots a year that they get.
2007-09-28 13:36:49 · answer #5 · answered by beach_chica02 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A vet also checks the conditions of the organs (palpitates the stomach area and such) and looks at the condition of the teeth, ears, eyes, etc. They evaluate the whole animal to make sure there's nothing wrong or nothing developing. So yes, even indoor cats need to be examined once a year.
2007-09-22 14:00:07 · answer #6 · answered by hudsongray 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yep. even if she doesn't come into contact with other animals, you can bring disease in to her, not to mention that you can't guarantee no other animal will ever make it in. so she should be up on her shots, because most of these diseases are preventable but not curable. at the very least she needs to go for an annual exam so the vet can give her a look-over. they'll be able to feel for lumps, the size of her organs, check her mouth for ulcers, etc - all sorts of things that the regular person wouldn't be able to look for. and the older she gets, the mroe likely she will be to have issues that can be helped, if caught early.
check with your local animal shelter - many places have vaccine clinics sometimes year round, sometimes just in the spring) that are cheaper.
2007-09-21 17:36:09 · answer #7 · answered by sleepycatz1972 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Many vets are now recommending vaccinations every three years for the best results. Just like in humans, vaccinations loast longer than one year and build up in an animals system. I'm a firm believer in tri annual vaccinations.
2007-09-27 13:11:32 · answer #8 · answered by takepaws49203 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, she should be seen at least once a year for an exam and shots. They test for things like feline leukemia and cancer, and those occur in both indoor and outdoor cats. I bring my cat in 2 times a year, once for a wellness exam, and once for shots and blood draws. Cats are not as vocal as dogs are when they are sick. Sometimes you may not notice any changes at all. Also- Its good for your pet to have a relationship with their Vet so that if you ever had an emergancy, you and your cat would both feel more at ease.
2007-09-21 17:33:21 · answer #9 · answered by Keri 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, your cat should have at least a yearly wellness exam to check for any problems to be addressed before they are serious.
As for the vaccinations, rabies is the only one that is mandatory. The other vaccinations are optional and you can discuss with her vet about whether to administer or not.
Purrs for you and your kitty.
2007-09-21 19:49:51 · answer #10 · answered by Patty O 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋