The Trials of Tigger: Tigger's Trials Are Over
I'm reviving this thread in case someone has good advice on the subject of vaccinations for cats.
My current vet is sending me reminders that Tigger (who is about 18 and as crotchety as cats come, which is saying quite a lot) is due for about four vaccines. My question is, is this really necessary?
I met a vet I loved at the Fairfield emergency practice who told me that there is no reason to give cats most of the injections that are being sold so hard at many vet's offices these days, and I'm wondering whether it is true. Do cats really need all this? In particular, does a cat who is very frail and elderly need a chlamydia shot when she is never in contact with any cats outside my household, or indeed the rest of the outside world?
Bottom line: What vaccines are really needed/useful, apart from the obvious rabies, which is required by law?
although it IS that 'piss and vinegar' that keeps her going, you know that don't you?? ;-)
Most vets will tacitly agree, although they're legally required to vaccinate for rabies. There's a lot of back and forth over how long a rabies shot is good for, and compassionate vets will often use that as rationale for passing up legally mandated vaccines in very old and frail cats.
It is rather long, but read it through.
And now I'm considering changing vets after I do some research to find out what I can about other vets in the area. I loved this practice after they allowed me to leave all four cats with them while we were moving into the new house, but I did NOT like the one I met when I took Mischa in for diarrhea, and I'm not thrilled to be getting these cards from them insisting I make appointments to have the kids vaccinated for everything under the sun.
Sheesh. It's a pity, since this practice is so nearby and has great, up-to-date facilities. Oh, well.
I guess I assume the whole practice will be pushing the vaccination thing as a way to earn more money, but I could be wrong. In any case, I think I'll hold off on taking any of the cats in until warm weather hits, unless someone gets sick. They were all updated on shots as of June 2013. Except for Tigger, whose shots were updated last January on Long Island. From the article Calli posted, it seems EXTREMELY unlikely she would need anything at this point.
Meanwhile, I'm kind of glad she had the shots then, because we ended up bringing her to live with my three cats, and Tigger HAD been an indoor-outdoor cat for a long, long time. It seemed safest all around to make sure everyone was up-to-date. And here we are.
I'd contact the vet office and remind them about the age of the indoor cat.
It is possible that the office simply generates annual shot messages based only on the last time the animal was in the office....kind of like some of the annoying messages you get from your dentist about annual stuff where there is no personal analysis, just a message based on the last visit.
Now, before anyone passes judgement on me for that--the cat was allergic to everything. The only time she was vaccinated in Hoboken, she nearly died and the vet there told me to keep her inside always and that he feared spaying, or further vaccinations may kill her.
LOL...also wanted to add--he really wasn't sure about spaying--or neutering, as she had both parts.
She was a weird cat.
Sad to say, Tigger finally lost the war this week. She became completely incontinent, trying to use the litter box but being unable to go (and confused, because she was trying so hard to be a good girl) and then just randomly eliminating wherever she happened to be standing (or lying). I took her to the vet yesterday, and we learned she had abdominal masses. So we had to let the vet put her to sleep.
And I feel broken now. 
She became so much a part of our lives, and was so sweet and affectionate with us, right up to the end.
So sorry for the loss of your dear Tigger. I know how painful it is to say goodbye to our furry family members.
oh Peggy!
We're crying with you, not just for Tigger and the bitter-sweet memories, also for the last link with your beloved Mom. It's just so hard.
Sending love, hugs...may sweet thoughts and gentle memories help to comfort you.
So very sorry for your loss of Tigger, Peggy. How loved she was.... 
Oh PeggyC, so sorry to see this, our pets are family! My sympathy to you and your family.
So very sorry to hear this sad news. But she surely had the most wonderful home possible with you!
Thanks, everyone. I keep expecting to see or hear her around the house. Very sad week...
So sorry, Peggy. Just happened to see this, now. Hope you can attain some peace knowing you fulfilled your mom's wishes, and Tigger is no longer in pain.
Thank you! Tigger was actually pretty happy until just the last few days, when I believe the tumors growing in her abdomen were interfering with her ability to walk and eliminate normally. Or maybe dementia caught up? But she would still curl up happily on my lap or chest, bump noses, eat like a horse and purr raucously. I know cats are good at hiding pain, but I like to at least try to believe she was (mostly) pretty comfortable. And I'm sure she was happy with us, which helps enormously.
Sponsored Business
Promote your business here - Businesses get highlighted throughout the site and you can add a deal.
For Sale
Advertisement
joanne