Question:
I have a male tabby cat who is almost 3 years old. I live in Palm Beach County, and the powers-that-be want him to have a yearly injection for rabies. The cat stays indoors or on my screened porch. My vet also gives him other injections at the same time, and I really don't know what they are for. I use Advantage on him for fleas, and he gets heartworm meds orally on a monthly basis. I would like your opinion on animal rabies injections for an indoor cat that has no contact with other animals (except an occasional salamander). I have friends who do absolutely nothing, and their cats are fine. Please advise -- I am going broke from the vet bills.
J.Z., Boynton Beach, FL Jun 21, 2009
Answer:
It's the law. All cats and dogs must have up-to-date rabies shots. But the law should be changed.
Have the vet take a blood test next time to see if your cat really needs a booster. The 1-year anti-rabies vaccine is given to cats rather than the three-year duration because it is considered safer; but no vaccinations are 100 percent safe or 100 percent effective.
Considering your cat's age and indoor life, no other vaccinations are likely needed. I would call around and find another animal doctor who has a less cavalier (if not money-motivated) attitude toward vaccinations, the long-term adverse health consequences of which are now being hotly debated in both veterinary and human medical circles.
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