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Jasper is shot free since I got him...he is inside, only cat, no claws, already fixed. I think he probably had shots, but I don't have a record...don't want the poor boy shot up again for no reason. My only issue is if he has to fly or be boarded, they usually want some paperwork for that. But last time Beau flew, they did not look at the health paperwork, they just wanted the credit card for his ticket...
My problem is that we board our cat at times, and therefore he needs to be UTD on his shots. In fact, I got my postcard reminder last week for: Rabies (I thought I signed up for the 3 year vax), FVRCP Booster (what's that?), Fecal Exam/deworming (why on earth would he need this??). I'm confused as to what I should do. It all seems unnecessary to me. Willow is a healthy indoor only cat.
My problem is that we board our cat at times, and therefore he needs to be UTD on his shots. In fact, I got my postcard reminder last week for: Rabies (I thought I signed up for the 3 year vax), FVRCP Booster (what's that?), Fecal Exam/deworming (why on earth would he need this??). I'm confused as to what I should do. It all seems unnecessary to me. Willow is a healthy indoor only cat.
Rabies is required by law in most places in the USA, and most vets have gone to the PureVax non-adjuvanted rabies shot, which only approved for one year protection. The adjuvant is the booster to keep the immunity effective for three years, and is thought to be the cause of VAS (vaccine associated sarcoma), which is why vets prefer the PureVax.
FVRCP is protection against herpes(FVR, Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, a serious upper respiratory infection with no cure), C, calcivirus, and P, panleukopenia, ( distemper, a very serious usually fatal illness) It is usually given every 3 years, but is not required by law most places.
The reminder card is from your vet ,right, not the boarding place.
It's more of a marketing tool, designed to keep business coming in, than a specific, personal assessment of Your cats' needs. You are not obligated to get any vaccine not required by law.
I don't know a thing about actually having cats' vaccinated,so I can't speak to that, but don't be cowed or intimidated into doing something your not sure of. It's marketing, oh.. depending on your vets "business model" dental is being pushed too.
You should go onto Veterinary Business Management websites, not medical sights and look around. Very interesting. I'm all for running a successful business, but ethics need to be part of practice.
Being proactive and checking every patient for dental needs, just in case, is a lot different than deciding to try to schedule dental for every patient..
" GETTING THE CUSTOMER TO YES"
And don't forget to let them sell you a lot of retail items!
My problem is that we board our cat at times, and therefore he needs to be UTD on his shots. In fact, I got my postcard reminder last week for: Rabies (I thought I signed up for the 3 year vax), FVRCP Booster (what's that?), Fecal Exam/deworming (why on earth would he need this??). I'm confused as to what I should do. It all seems unnecessary to me. Willow is a healthy indoor only cat.
Your cat doesn't necessarily need the fecal, but usually vets include it in with the yearly shots. It determines whether the cat has parasites. It's pretty standard. Personally I think it's more important for dogs to have this because they are at greater risk than an indoor-only cat.
Neither of my cat-only vets has been a fan of yearly fecal exams. Maybe if she was going outside, but they always confirmed with me that she wasn't. So it's like this: the cat hasn't had a stool sample exam in 15 years.
Now when we had a different cat, who had been going to a mixed vet where they also saw dogs and such, they always wanted a stool sample for fecal exam. They also had computerized records, a lot of building and equipment to pay for, etc. Hm. They weren't awful and I wouldn't be wary of using them if there was some capability my solo practitioner cat vet didn't have, but I wouldn't choose them as my primary vet.
My problem is that we board our cat at times, and therefore he needs to be UTD on his shots. In fact, I got my postcard reminder last week for: Rabies (I thought I signed up for the 3 year vax), FVRCP Booster (what's that?), Fecal Exam/deworming (why on earth would he need this??). I'm confused as to what I should do. It all seems unnecessary to me. Willow is a healthy indoor only cat.
Check your records...if you had Willow vaccinated with the 3 yr. rabies vaccine last year, you won't need to have that one given. Also, check with your boarding facility as far as which vaccs they require cats to have in order to board...they might only require the rabies, and if they do, the FVRCP booster won't be necessary, either, you would probably just have to show proof that the 3 yr. rabies was administered less than 3 years ago. As for the fecal/deworming, I think it's unnecessary unless you're seeing some kind of issue...some people like to have it done yearly just for peace of mind, but it's definitely not required by law or anything .
If your cat ever gets rabies it will almost certainly die. Distemper can be deadly too. I think you would change your position about vaccinations, but by then it would be too late. A day or two of lethargy is a small price to pay.
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