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I am done vaccinating at less than 7. My cats have both have had three rounds of rabies, FRVCP, and FeLV. They are good. Pets are highly over-vaxxed. We don't go in yearly or every two or three years ............... research shows they last much longer for pets than greedy Vets want to admit.
We used to vaccinate for everything every single year and that is SO well-proven to not be needed, even greedy vets now have to agree.
Our young cats still get rabies shots, but the plan is that the 16-year-old is done with vets. She is a former feral cat who would be very stressed.
Thank you for posting this link.
Have just started reading the article, but a lot of it supports what I have read before: vaccines matter, but it is very, very possible to over-vax a cat. I vax whenever I get a new kitten or cat, but after that, it's all about potential exposure and common sense. We don't need yearly boosters for everything, why would a cat? They do get shots if we must travel (rare), or if they have to be boarded (even more rare...as in once, ever.)
I saw another poster refer to "greedy vets." I am sure there are some, just like there are some greedy docs for people, but I don't really think that is the heart of the problem. Thing is, pharmaceutical companies and pet food manufacturers (particularly Hills) provide a lot of money and course materials to vet schools, and not all students ever get past that, or even question it.
As for the original question, it really depends on the cat. I've had relatively young cats who required frequent vet visits, and others who lived to be old enough to buy me a beer with vet visits I could count on one hand.
Watch your cat. Pay attention to changes in weight, coat, and behavior. Pet the cat often, all over its body, so you know if there are any signs of wounds or swelling. Keep cats indoors! This is the single most important thing you can do to protect your cat from most communicable diseases.
I've had relatively young cats who required frequent vet visits, and others who lived to be old enough to buy me a beer with vet visits I could count on one hand.
Yes, this.
I read it's the same for people: really elderly people don't necessarily spend more time at the doctor because unhealthy people don't become really elderly. Cats who have problems need more vet visits and healthy cats are only unnecessarily stressed, tested, and vaccinated when they don't need it. I watch my cat's energy level, food intake and interest in food, watch her litterbox, look in her ears and eyes, clip her claws (while checking her feet), and brush/comb her with an eye to any spots that might be sensitive or if anything shows up in the comb. If she changed in any way, I would know it immediately and take her in.
If you're uncertain, it's probably better to go and if you move, you should locate a vet right away just so you know where to go if you have to.
I'm not trying to hijack the thread, but am curious about why you don't do the vaccines after a certain age.
Because their body builds up antigens and the vaccine stays in their systems for years. There is no difference between the 1 year and the 3 year... they both stay for 3+ years. Plus... I've seen to many bad reactions when I was a vet tech to those pets that were older that we gave vaccines too. We had to amputate a 13 year old cats back leg because it developed a cancerous tumor that was growing rapidly at the injection site.
I bring all of my cats (ages 16, 11, & 3) in once a year. Electra, the old lady, however, I brought in a few more times this year. I noticed she was losing weight and when my Brandy (who has crossed the Rainbow Bridge ) lost weight, it was due to thyroid problems and I was worried that the same thing might be happening to Electra. So, on her 16th birthday (well, the day we celebrate as her birthday), she had tests. Luckily, they were negative. So, I started feeding her more and she is putting on weight.
But, if there are no issues that need to be addressed, I wouldn't bother bringing her in more than once a year. And that goes to any of them no matter their age.
Cat
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