Indoor cats and vaccinations

[southerner]

Do you get your indoor cat(s) vaccinated every year? I've gotten mine their distemper and rabies shots every year. After one of them got sick last week from the shot, a journal buddy of mine mentioned that it might not be necessary to get them every year.

Wondering what others do and your thoughts on this.

[MLA]

According to my vet, most immunizations for cats are good for 3 years, so you should be able to go at least that long between shots. And like I said, I don't get my cats vaccinated for anything but rabies anymore since they're indoors. My vet's fine with that.

[greenbunny]

My old vet wanted to do boosters on my senior cat every six months. :eek: That's part of why we switched.

As we cycle through their wellness visits at the new vet, I want to discuss this in detail with them. I'm hoping they're amenable to less frequent vacs.

[Kristy]

Both of mine get vaccinated every year. My vet's never mentioned a reason not to, so I'll continue to do so.

[jesvet]

For an indoor cat, I'd do it every three.

[southerner]

Okay, so it doesn't sound like it needs to get done every year. Is that for all ages of cats?

We'll still get their teeth cleaned every year though.

[fuzzy]

We've switched to the every three year cycle for our exclusively indoor cats. Three of them are nine years old, the fourth is four years old. We still take them in for annual exams.

[coquelicot]

My next-door neighbor gets her indoor cat vaccinated every year. Apparently it's a state law here. She thinks it's overkill, but oh well.

[Sue]

We do every 3 years for our cats as well. I do not believe in over vaccinating, I get titer tests for my dogs with the exception of the rabies shot.

[eli1126]

For my two kitties we just got the three year distemper and rabies in June. We will still go every year for their annual exam.

Beth

[bunnybeth]

It's a state law here to get rabies every year, so that's what we do for our boys, but that's the only vaccination they get. They're 99% indoors only, but we do take them outside for "walks" and sometimes a rodent will be caught, and though we don't let the cats eat them, it's probably good they have yearly rabies shots.

[diam124]

Our cat is about 1 1/2 so she got her first rabies shot at about 12 weeks old and she got a booster at 1 year. My understanding is that she doesn't need another booster for 3 years.

I declined the other vaccination boosters this year because she's exclusively indoor (except when we take her out on a leash).

[jesvet]

Okay, so it doesn't sound like it needs to get done every year. Is that for all ages of cats?


They should get the kitten series, boosters at one year, then every 1-3 years depending on cat lifestyles, local laws, etc. We don't have a rabies requirement for cats in our area so we recommend every 3 years. Many vets feel this provides adequate protection.

[vwinkel]

Although you already know this. . .

Nope, only got their first set of shots. Since they are indoor, we don't give the rabbies or any others.

As for the teeth cleaning - I'm cracking up right now. Nope, I never have this done either. I will say that my cats that have lived to be in their 20's have lost teeth. So, I can't laugh that hard, however, I'm unsure that once a year would have really been the solution. In addition, it's my understanding that they often have to sedate the cat, and I wouldn't want to risk those dangers at all. Here'a "how to do it at home (http://cats.about.com/cs/dentalhealth/ht/cleanteeth.htm)" method. One tip they don't mention - wrap the cat in a towel first!

[jesvet]

That link is for toothbrushing, which, while helpful is not going to do nearly as much as a cleaning by a vet. It is the difference between brushing your teeth and getting a cleaning at the dentist- the vet scales the teeth and gums and uses a polisher to remove built up plaque and calculus both on the teeth and inderneath the gingiva.

[PurpleRose]

Generally we get our two cats the rabies and FVRCP vaccinations (not leukemia, they are totally indoors). I've been wondering if the FVRCP is necessary every year. Under what circumstances would it be necessary for them to have it every year? (I'm wondering about a mouse or other small animal coming into the house, because although we've never seen one, we live in a semi-rural area and I've heard our neighbors have seen them before). Is it better to continue having it done every year than risk it?

[sarahh]

Should cats get their teeth cleaned regularly? Mine eat dry food which I heard is good for their oral hygiene.

[tlew12778]

Our cats get vaccinated every year bc they go to MILs when we are on vacation. MIL has 6-7 indoor-outdoor cats. Ours do not have the rabies vaccine. It is not mandatory here unless you travel abroad.

[southerner]

sarahh, From what I understand different breeds of cats are more prone to gum disease than others. The past two years that my Siamese has had her checkup, our vet has told me that she has some tartar build up around her gums. Here (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4522) is a thread w/ some good info in it about brushing teeth.

vwinkel, We tried to clean her teeth several different ways, but she'll have none of that. I do feel bad about having to put her under for teeth cleaning, but I don't want her to lose all her teeth like my other cat has. They rotted right out of his mouth :( Years of bad breatn should have been a sign to us :o

Rabies is required by the law here, but it sounds like I don't need to do the distemper shot every year. Thanks for weighing in, everyone!

[Rico'sAlice]

We feed my mom's cat raw bones (cut up chicken necks & wings, chopped up rabbit, etc) All this crunching keeps her teeth bright, pearly white and her breath smelling clean.
We also do not feed her any grains or sugars at all, so there is not much of anything for the decay causing bacteria to feed on.


ETA: Holistic/dietary approach to dental health https://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/ahealth3.htm#gum