Question:
On the advice of our veterinarian, we have routinely gotten a battery of annual vaccinations for our generally healthy 13-year-old indoor/outdoor cat. We pay $175 for this service.In a recent column, you advised against unnecessary and potentially harmful booster vaccinations for cats. Can you please elaborate further on what vaccinations are warranted and when they should be administered?.
M.R., Chevy Chase, Md Sep 04, 2005
Answer:
If local laws dictate your cat must be given an anti-rabies vaccination, don't dodge the bullet. Have the veterinarian give the canarypox virus-vectored type, since feline veterinarian experts find this to be preferable to other types of rabies vaccination.If your cat were an indoor-only animal, no other vaccinations would be needed since he's had so many vaccinations already. But, being an indoor/outdoor feline, he is at risk from exposure to other cats who may be sick.So, you have two choices: Run the risk of adverse reactions (including possibly fatal cancer) from booster shots (which should NOT be injected in the cat's back or between the shoulder blades, but low down on the limbs). Or, have a blood-titer test done, which may well show that your cat has good immunity and needs no more vaccinations.
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