question about rabies vaccines

[Jane&Andy]

Last year when I took my cat to the vet (a new vet for him) he was just a little overdue on his rabies (only by a week or so b/c my old vet never sent me reminders). My new vet (Banfield at Petsmart) claimed that by law he would have to restart the vaccine as if he were a kitten - first a 1 yr shot and then 3yr shots after that. I used to work for a vet in NC (another 3yr state) and we never did that if the shot was a little late but that was several years ago so maybe things have changed.

Fast forward to this year and Banfield has not sent me reminders. So I dug up their records (I have two other cats as well although one has never been seen there) and discovered that my cat is due next Friday for the rabies again. And to top it off, I call Banfield this morning and they have no vet. Their vet was sent to LA to help with hurricane relief. So they told me to call another Banfield. Now I'm annoyed b/c I don't want to deal with this rabies stuff again this year so I have to drive much further away at an inconvenient time just to make sure he gets vaccinated in time.

Luckily only 1 cat is due for rabies this year so I'm holding off taking the other two in (also due this month) til my vet has a vet again.

So, my question is, is this really a law or is it just my vet's policy? Didn't bug me so much last year but this year it is a HUGE PITA.

[Whitters20]

I've never heard of such a policy but I'm not it in a 3 year state. I've read so much about how it can actually be bad to get the rabies vaccine every year that I've started getting my cats done every 2 years instead. They are inside only cats too. The vet never says anything to me about being late. Maybe some ladies in the 3 year states will chime in...

[SingleWhiteFemale]

It's the stupid vet's policy. I know I'm not to the day getting my cats their rabies, I know I've been a month over the "due" date and haven't had to restart anything. I've lived in this area for 20 years, and I've never heard of such an idea. It wouldn't suprise me if they're seeing it as a way to make more money with an extra visit. Is this the Bowie Banfield?

[Jane&Andy]

yep, its the Bowie Banfield. I'm not too thrilled with them right now. I can't believe they have NO vet. :eek: Now I have to drag this cat out to the one by Arundel Mills next week. So far I've been happy with the care my pets receive there but their customer service is the pits.

[SingleWhiteFemale]

I've had only one experience with them, and the vet didn't have a compassionate bone in his body. The cat was also neutered there, was there for 2 days and when we called to check up on him, they tried to give me the "we don't have such an animal here"!

I think there may be a Banfield in the new Petsmart in Greenbelt (193/Greenbelt Rd. and 295, in the shopping center across from Eleanor Roosevelt HS) if you don't want to drive to Annapolis.

[jh124]

Rabies/vaccine laws vary by state, so what we do here in VA and what you do across the river in MD is different.

FWIW, I don't feel comfortable taking my dogs to Banfield. I prefer my local vet. But to each their own.

[Jane&Andy]

SWF - I didn't see one listed in Greenbelt when I did a search for them this morning. I work near Greenbelt but I'll have to run home to Bowie for the cat so having to go back to Greenbelt isn't much better than Arundel Mills.

jh124 - I know it varies from State to State, I was just wondering if anyone had heard of a "law" like this where if the animal is even 1 day late on the vaccine they have to start over. I did look into other vets in my area when I moved here almost 2yrs ago and for various reasons I didn't like any of the other vets. One couldn't see my puppy for a month which seemed ridiculous and another was incredibly rude to me when I called. All the phone calls went like that so Banfield came out looking like my best option.

On that note, SWF - what vet do you use? The biggest thing holding me back from switching vets is my epileptic cat. I can see that being a big hassle (I'm happy with the care he's receiving or else I would switch regardless of the hassle). If it weren't 6hrs away I'd just haul them all back to the vet I used to work for in NC.

[jh124]

SWF - jh124 - I know it varies from State to State, I was just wondering if anyone had heard of a "law" like this where if the animal is even 1 day late on the vaccine they have to start over. I did look into other vets in my area when I moved here almost 2yrs ago and for various reasons I didn't like any of the other vets. One couldn't see my puppy for a month which seemed ridiculous and another was incredibly rude to me when I called. All the phone calls went like that so Banfield came out looking like my best option.

I work in this general issue area, and I've never heard anything like this. I just checked with our general counsel (who is also a vet). He said that from an immunity standpoint, the cat is fine. From a legal standpoint, he's going to have to check the MD laws. He's ducking into a meeting now, but asked me to remind him this afternoon and he'll look up the state statute. Of course, that means that I need to remember to remind him - but I'll try.:o

[Jane&Andy]

wow, thanks jh124!

He said that from an immunity standpoint, the cat is fine. From a legal standpoint, he's going to have to check the MD laws.
thats pretty much what I figured - from an immunity standpoint he ought to be ok.

my officemate told me not to bother updating that shot this year since he's an indoor cat and never boarded but I'd prefer to keep him up to date from a legal standpoint.

I'm seriously starting to think about switching vets just b/c of the inconvenience of dealing with Banfield. I'm going to keep Sebastian's appt (rabies needing cat) for next week just to get him taken care of. It should be quick and easy, he's healthy as a horse. :) And this way I can get him in before he is overdue. Then maybe I'll try out a new vet with the other two cats. At the worst, hopefully they will only want to redo the bloodwork for the epileptic cat. He's been on phenobarb for a year now and is doing great on it. The dog just got his shots in July or August so he's covered for awhile.

I found a great vet in NY and then we moved. I haven't had much luck since then. :(

[SingleWhiteFemale]

Jane&Andy, you have a PM :)

[jesvet]

Call the animal shelter where you get the license and ask them. I've heard of that for some vaccines but not for rabies.

[jh124]

Ok, I talked to our counsel/vet. He did not go look up the statute, based on your previous comments I didnt' think it was necessary. However, he did say that Banfield is really good at pushing product. So what they quoted you *might* be the actual law and exactly correct, but from an immunilogical standpoint they are taking it a tad far. He said you shouldn't run into any problems with a private practice vet. After all, people fail to have their animals vaccinated by the exact right date all the time, and it's never a problem.

[Jane&Andy]

thanks everyone. :)

thanks jh124 for asking him.

My dog is now sick so I guess thats the motivation I need to find a new vet since my current vet is not around and has no replacement. Unfortunately I know vets are more likely to work in a current client than some random person off the street. I can only hope that they take pity on me and are willing to work us in since we can't see our regular vet. I need to get him in tomorrow. :(

[SingleWhiteFemale]

Jane&Andy, were you able to get him in? If not, I could always try and see if they'd do me a favor.

[Jane&Andy]

thanks SWF. I tried calling last night but it must have been too late b/c it would ring once and hang up. I'm going to try again in a few minutes. I'm just going to beg and plead til they agree to see us. He's more peppy this morning but still not eating.

[Jane&Andy]

SWF - I have an 11am appt for him with your vet. Thanks so much for the recommendation. They didn't give me a hard time about it at all.

[SingleWhiteFemale]

I'm really happy to hear that! I hope Butter is feeling better soon :)

[Jane&Andy]

thanks. :) we won't be at the dog park tonight but if he feels better tomorrow I'll take him then. Poor pup.

[ObscureDame]

We take Bailey to the Banfield in Glen Burnie...