Question:
I took my 12-year-old cat to the ASPCA for a rabies vaccination. They insisted that I apply flea preventive for dogs on my cat. I did, and I've never seen such a bad reaction in an animal: He lost most of his fur, cried for weeks, and was in pain and could hardly eat.I ended up taking him to a veterinary hospital, where I was made to buy a case of food I knew he wouldn't eat. They did all kinds of tests and (over $300 later) they told me he had thyroid trouble. They prescribed medication, but it costs about $50 a week. After the first month I couldn't afford it anymore.It took three months for my cat to get his fur back. He's thin, but he eats well. I'm told he still needs his rabies shot, but he's strictly an indoor cat. Should I take him in for his shot?.
R.O.R., Virginia Beach, Va Jun 27, 2004
Answer:
First, your indoor cat does not need a rabies vaccination unless one is mandated by local law. People whose pets have had adverse reactions to a rabies vaccine should be given a note by the attending veterinarian stating that the required vaccination was not given for health reasons. Otherwise, the canarypox-vectored Purevax by Merial, a 1-year rabies vaccine for cats, is considered the safest by feline specialists.Second, the veterinarian who allegedly advised putting a flea-preventive medication for dogs on your cat in conjunction with a rabies vaccination should be held responsible for all your subsequent veterinary costs. Such mistreatment caused your poor cat unnecessary suffering and may have triggered the hyperthyroidism disease.You should also switch your cat to a diet of natural, whole foods (ideally organically certified). You'll find a basic recipe for such a diet on my Web site at http://www.twobitdog.com/DrFox/Dr-Fox-Cat-Food-Recipe. Good nutrition means a good immune system and a healthier, happier
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