It is very important that ALL cats be vaccinated against rabies, including cats that never go outdoors. Do Cats Need Vaccinations to Go Outside? Depending on where you live, a yearly rabies shot may be legally required as well. If you have an outdoor only or an indoor/outdoor cat, then they will need shots as well. For rabies, I feel, they should get every three years… There is no justifiable reason to vaccinate outdoor cats anymore so. Only a few of them might be due for vaccinations. Also. It also protects other pets in your neighborhood. One of my cats was pregnant when we inherited her and couldn't be vaccinated. Indoor Cats Can be Exposed. I recall that as my first got to be a senior (7+ years) I believe they stopped the feline leukemia (I'm pretty sure it was that one) but otherwise it was always rabies, stool sample, etc. If the cat is not up to date on their rabies vaccine, they must be quarantined for 10 days to observe for symptoms of rabies. If the cat is up to date on rabies shot, then you will be okay. This is where experts tend to disagree, and the answer becomes a less-simple one. At a bare minimum, your cat may need a rabies shot to go outdoors. Indoor cats should have an FVRCP (5 in 1) vaccine either yearly or every 3 years, depending on what type of vaccine your vet uses. . Don't assume that your cat doesn't need at least some vaccines just because he doesn't go outside. That's the point. The Rabies vaccine is usually given at the final kitten vaccine and again every year after. If you don’t hear from me I died of blood infection. Kittens should start getting vaccinations when they are 6 to 8 weeks old until they are about 16 weeks old. Vaccines are an important part of keeping your cat healthy. Then they must be boostered a year latyer.. Do not feed pets outside. So am I good on rabies and only need to watch for an infection for a cut like any other cut? Basically, better safe than sorry. In particular, feline panleukopenia virus (feline distemper) can be tracked into the home on your hands, shoes, clothing, and other pets - it is a very common and hardy virus. [US] So I got bit by a once upon a time feral but now indoor-only cat that is I believe up-to-date on their rabies vaccines. I use a medication called Revolution that also protects against worms. However, as research into vaccines progresses, recommendations for booster frequency continue to evolve. Some other important things to remember are: Rabies is local. And heard it’s a thing to be concerned about. I’ve washed it under running warm/hot water + soap for 5 min after pushing blood out. Besides aggression, symptoms of rabies includes uncoordinated movements, confusion, and a fear of water. Leaving it is dangerous. Then they get boosters 1 year after the third kitten vaccine, then boosters every 3 years (or longer) after that. Since she doesn't go outdoors or have contact with other cats, she doesn't need a feline leukemia, FIV, or FIP vaccine (there's no hard evidence the FIP vaccine even works well). It's definitely a good idea to keep up on it, even if they're indoor only. Cats mouths are very dirty so the real issue can be infection in the area. It broke the skin and is kinda deep. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, More posts from the NoStupidQuestions community, Looks like you're using new Reddit on an old browser. It is healthier for your pet to NOT give all of these chemicals unless they are shown to be needed. And keeping the bite clean. Depends on your state, though. It is healthier for your cat to only get the rabies (because that is the law) and to have titres done for the rest. It's very rare, especially in an indoor pet who is up to date on vaccinations. Therefore the likelihood of tracking them in is small. Fleas carry tapeworms, not hookworms, although hookworm larvae can also be introduced to the home by dirt on shoes. Fleas are a pain to get rid of once they get in! Luckily, the rabies vaccine can protect house pets from this infection. Food for thought: many vaccinations, given once, are good for life. For an indoor cat, the FVRCP at one year (which I'm assuming your cat has had already) is all that's necessary, with rabies vaccines every 1-3 years. The AAFP does not recommend the Leukemia vaccine for indoor only cats beyond the kitten shots, so that’s an easy decision. Will let you know in a week+ if it heals. They’ll need the feline distemper vaccine and rabies. Small mammals, like mice and bats, occasionally enter the home and can serve as rabies vectors. My vet recommends vaccinations every year (rabies and maybe something else? Call me paranoid (I am), but I spend more on my cat's health than I do on my own. If the cat catches and eats these creatures before you see them, you might not even know that a potential rabies exposure has occurred, and you are at risk for contracting a near-100% fatal disease. Once the symptoms appear, rabies is almost 100% fatal. Do I need to have him vaccinated? Vaccinate your pets against rabies and keep the vaccinations current. Unfortunately, even indoor cats can be exposed through contact with wildlife during an unexpected escape. I have heard many pet parents say, “But my cat is indoors only,” when I bring up vaccinating their cat, particularly against rabies. You are much more likely to get a regular infection from any animal than you are to get rabies. Rabies, nationwide, is nowhere near the problem the veterinarians, media, politicians and bureaucrats would like you to believe. However, cats can be vaccinated as early as 3 months of age and are required to be vaccinated once he turns 4 months old under the new law. Take care to clean it extremely well and keep an eye on it for redness and swelling. Rabies is endemic worldwide, and the vaccine is recommended for all pet cats. Unfortunately, the rabies vaccine is a suspected trigger of vaccine-associated sarcoma (VAS) in cats. Common questions are which vaccine does my senior cat need and how often should he be vaccinated. You'll be fine. What You Can Do. FVRCP protects against primarily URI, which is airborne. The likelihood of rabies in a domestic animal varies by region; hence, the need for postexposure prophylaxis also varies. It broke the skin and is kinda deep. I’ve washed it under running warm/hot water + soap for 5 min after pushing blood out. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, Press J to jump to the feed. Edit: fleas in the 1500s didn't prefer humans, my bad, because it sounds like I implied that. Rabies boosters are no longer recommended every year and there is growing evidence that the duration of immunity is even longer than the 3 years required by most states. As for tracking fleas in, unless you lived in the 1500s, generally, fleas do not prefer humans. I know I have a few months before I need to vaccinate her again, but I was wondering what vaccinations are typically recommended for indoor cats? I somehow forgot that we didn't have her vaccinated, and she caught a URI from one of the neighborhood cats that hangs out sometimes. All cats that are outdoors in an enclosed yard and that do not wander off their owner’s property but could be exposed to rabid animals and to diseased cats do, of course, need … Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. At 30+ I still have my wisdoms teeth, whilst my boy has dental work every 2 years!! Indoor cats should have an FVRCP (5 in 1) vaccine either yearly or every 3 years, depending on what type of vaccine your vet uses. Every year, when we go for checkups, we also do blood work and a fecal sample test to make sure that he's healthy, because usually when you notice that something is wrong with your cat, it's too late. TNR is a win-win approach that protects cats and puts community members at ease. . I agree with the other poster that flea control from your vet would also be a good idea. Any cat that ventures outside should be vaccinated in full. Let me see if I can help...I tend to go by AAFP guidelines. My cats had no contact with the fosters, but did share space with my parent's cats, one of whom we later learned had (fatal) FIV (even though he was vaccinated against it). Fortunately they didn't fight or share food and my cat got an all clear on his blood work when I took him in for a dental procedure last month. Keep pets inside. Contact with other cats is rare, but does happen. What should you have done differently instead of leaving it? Recommendation for household cats is RCP (herpesvirus-1, calicivirus, panleukopenia) at 6-9 weeks, then 3-4 weeks after that until 16-20 weeks of age. Since they are both indoor cats the vet's not too concerned. According to the CDC, raccoons have a higher incidence of rabies than other wild animals, however bites from bats are the most frequent cause of people contracting the rabies virus. Do not feed wildlife, feral cats or feral dogs. They said the vets will 'look the pet over' while giving the vaccines for free. (Discuss vaccination of species for which there is not an approved rabies vaccine with your veterinarian.) Emergence room doctor was very concerned with my decision making. No, say many experts. Check with your cat’s veterinary office to see exactly which of your cats are due for vaccinations, and see if you need vaccines for indoor cats. Not specified, but "rabies vaccination of dogs, cats, and ferrets is required in accordance with schedules in the Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control, 2011 . Just treat it like you would any other cut. Your… Vaccine associated sarcomas are extremely rare in cats today with the advent of newer, safer vaccines. Edit again: y. pestis is the bubonic plague. Pet food and mulch attract wildlife. Do outdoor cats need shots? There can be no disputing that vaccines save lives but they also have the potential to cause serious side effects which will be discussed on this webpage.Before we get started on this discussion, it is important to understand that there is no single vaccine protocol t… In the past, veterinarians recommended booster vaccinations for cats on a yearly basis. It's been a while since my last cat passed on, but I believe mine got everything as scheduled. Do not handle wildlife. Although very few people develop rabies in the US, there are at least 40,000 to 50,000 rabies postexposure treatments (human rabies immune globulin plus a set of four rabies shots) given each year. Boosters are recommended for cats that are at a high risk of infection (FeLV is very infectious and will eventually turn fatal). Got a tetanus shot. One rabies vaccine is known to protect a cat for years, so caregivers do not need to trap the cats again to get them re-vaccinated. post-exposure rabies vaccine for cats) may vary depending on if your cat has a protective rabies vaccine (and certificate). But I digress. Rabies is administered as a single dose as a kitten, then 1 year after that, then every 1 or 3 years (if the vaccine is licensed for such). Given her age, I'm assuming she had the kitten shots, which are good for 1 year either way. Rabies is usally state mandated. Like I said, humans can track fleas in. She is the only pet in our household and the only time she is ever outside is when she is in her carrier going to and from my parents place to my place. This is the only way to keep your cat safe. A vaccination is a preparation of microorganisms (pathogens), such as viruses or bacteria, that is administered to produce or increase immunity to a particular disease. Rabies inoculation of companion animals; availability of certificate; rabies clinics. A foster Mum and a litter of 6, my parent's 3 cats and then my sister's cat came to stay overnight. Unfortunately, indoor only cats are not completely protected from exposure to other rabid animals as indoor cats are almost never completely kept inside. They don’t get sick and therefore won’t spread the disease to humans. One of my cats is fully vaccinated and the other didn't get past his 6 month shots because he had a bad allergic reaction to them. Minimize any risk your cat might have by keeping him up to date on this important vaccine. Hydrogen peroxide helps dissolve protiens in the wound that might cause it to get swollen and itchy but otherwise, keep it clean/covered and don't bother it! In most facilities this is mandatory. Once cats have received their final booster at one year of age we do recommend this vaccine is given every 3 years to maintain immunity and minimize the effects of any accidental exposure even in house cats. Yes. From your cat’s point of view, it is preferable to receive one injection against the common diseases rather than a series of single disease vaccinations. If it has had a rabies shot then you can't get rabies. Cats bite for any number of reasons, I would not suspect rabies in a vaccinated indoor animal. Don’t really have the $$ at this time for rabies shots, and my friend told me I’m just being paranoid. Even cats that spend 100% of their time indoors should be vaccinated. Also, our local Humane Society/Animal Control has low cost vaccinations. Rabies vaccinations for cats Fortunately, we have a very effective vaccine against rabies. If your cat is truly 100% indoors, and does not have contact with indoor-outdoor cats, the current recommendation is to continue to receive boosters for panleukopenia, feline herpes type 1, calicivirus every 3 years, as these diseases do not require direct cat-to-cat contact to spread. Indoor Cats. I hear you – your cat is an indoor cat. A child with a cat bite may need a tetanus shot. We live in an apartment in New York City and Izzy is never outside, so why does she need a rabies vaccine? For the long-term health of your cat, it is worth having a serious conversation with your cat’s vet about rabies shots. If I could vaccinate him, I would, but I just thought I would present a POV from someone who can't get their pet vaccinated for his own health. More importantly, some states may have very strict rules that if your cat bites a human and is not up to date on vaccination, it may require a 6-month quarantine—or even euthanasia. The flea preventatives veterinarians prescribe for cats are extremely safe and non-toxic, and it is much easier to use them than to eliminate an established flea infestation. But we are moving in with my grandmother and her outside cat for a few months while I wait for my bar exam results so it's something we need to deal with sooner than later. He hasn't been vaccinated against FIV and the other big cat illnesses. The AAFP also recommends giving kittens the Leukemia vaccine, because at that young age, we still don’t know if they will be the type to charge out the door or not. I’ve never been bitten by an animal before. Is a “booster” shot required? Source: Got an infection after a cat bit my finger. Supervise pets outside, and keep dogs on a leash. Suggested Articles Feline Vaccines: Benefits and Risks Q: My vet tells me that my indoor-only cat, Izzy, needs to be vaccinated for rabies. If the cat is vaccinated, then you only need a tetanus shot. You're likely in the clear. Depending on where you live, a yearly rabies shot may be legally required as well. Which shots they need. Tell me about it. If you bled, you run serious risk of infection. Dogs and cats that receive their rabies shots are virtually immune to the virus. § 3.2-6521. Some viruses can be carried into your home on inanimate objects such as shoes and clothing, therefore infecting your cat without her coming into contact with another animal. As of 2014, there is an approved three-year Purevax (recombinant) Feline Rabies vaccine. Vaccination is just as important for indoor cats as it is for outdoor cats. Secure garbage cans with wildlife-proof lids. A common misconception is that indoor cats are not required to maintain updated vaccines as they do not have exposure to the outdoors or other animals. Both mine were strictly indoor cats also. A. I have had my cat for about 6 months now. I am part of of a foster program and when I house sat for my Mum last year, I took my two and I looked after a total of 13 cats. Howdy! The problem that I have, though, is that Loki got horribly sick after we did the respiratory one last time so they haven't gotten the booster yet. Unfortunately, it's a common misconception that indoor cats don't need to be vaccinated because they won't encounter other cats or disease-carrying animals. Fleas can very easily migrate into the home on their own, especially during the cold winter months. Do Indoor Cats Need a Rabies Vaccine, Too? Cat rabies vaccines are available as 1-year vaccines and 3-year vaccines. The rabies prophylaxis (e.g. Only 1 in 10,000 cats will develop a sarcoma, so the risk is not significant enough to eschew vaccination against diseases that are far more common. My cat is also an indoor cat, but there's always the possibility that we track things into the house (he got worms this way). Unfortunately, the absolute answers to these questions are not known but there are several recommendations. Basically, rabies booster every year and RCP booster every 3 years. In the continental United States, rabies among dogs is reported sporadically in states where there is reported rabies in wildlife. They never had any contact (not even through a screen) and none of my other cats who were vaccinated caught it. However, many of the veterinarians continue to use the one-year Purevax vaccine, as the cost of the three-year Purevax vaccine is three times the cost of the one-year vaccine. Just a note - while I recommend taking your cat in for an annual check-up plus shots, a lot of places offer lower cost vaccinations - such as PetCo and others. Any bites are required to be reported to the health unit. ASAP. Adult cats need shots less often, usually every year or every 3 years, depending on how long a vaccine is designed to last. When I got her she had just gotten all of her vaccinations and was a little over a year old. That pdf looks fairly old - it's from 2006. FeLV (feline leukemia) should be administered twice as a kitten, 3-4 weeks apart. I am a medical student and this happened to my brother not long ago. The site may not work properly if you don't, If you do not update your browser, we suggest you visit, Press J to jump to the feed. However, there were SO MANY fleas that they went to their less preferred meal source: humans, and thus the rise of yersinia pestis and the lapdog. This means the cat should have all core and non-core vaccines. There's been lots of cancers at injection sites in cats, and now vets are injecting at other sites on the body, which doesn't make me feel comfortable AT ALL. Many people do not want to or are unable to pay the added cost. As for worms, they will never get worms if they live indoors and are only eating their food. In fact, rabies vaccinations are required by law in all felines. Hopefully that made sense! You can administer a single dose 1 year after the last of the initial 2 doses. You should still clean the wound to prevent regular old boring infections. I’m wondering if I need to get rabies shots as well or if I should be fine? A lot. If the cat is up to date on its rabies vaccine then you should be fine. During 2000-2004, more cats than dogs were reported rabid in the United States. Here's a pdf of the recommended vaccine schedule for cats, including core and non-core vaccines. The shots come in a series every 3 to 4 weeks. Rabies and I think it's the respiratory infection disease vaccine or whatever are what my vet gives my boys annually. Most important shots all indoor cats really need Rabies: I don’t know about you, but rabies scares me. In the U.S., cats are more commonly involved in transmission of rabies to humans than dogs are. Current vaccination programs protect our cats (and us) from the threat of rabies. Rabies vaccination is an important and required vaccine for all cats. I’m wondering if I need to get rabies shots as … I searched this sub-reddit for a similar post and was unable to find one, but if you guys know of a similar post a link to that would be appreciated just as much. If your cat is strictly an indoor cat, does he need to be vaccinated each year for distemper, and rabies? All of this can be really expensive, but I figure I'd rather spend the money on preventative than have something happen to my baby (and spend even more money). Please let me know if I can clarify anything. If the cat isn't vaccinated, then you need a rabies shot and a tetanus shot. Rabies... No. If you're going to board or put your cat in a situation that has a high risk for exposure and stress, it will need a booster, assuming it hasn't had one in 3+ years. I can't remember--it was in November). If the kitten is less than 3 months of age, he is not eligible for vaccination. Still, you need to take care of the wound because it could still get infected (like any other cut could become infected). [US] So I got bit by a once upon a time feral but now indoor-only cat that is I believe up-to-date on their rabies vaccines. As pets age, questions about vaccinations arise. It's very important to have them vaccinated regularly if you ever plan on putting your cats in boarding if you go away. For some cats, when they are nervous, their first response can be to bite or scratch. If they get fleas (very small, minute, chance) then they may get hooks, but....like you said, you're being paranoid. loll. Vaccinations are important to prevent serious illness in cats. Given her age, I'm assuming she had the kitten shots, which are good for 1 year either way. While the rabies vaccine is not listed as a core vaccine by the AAFP guidelines, it is required by law in most regions. The vaccines, particularly rabies, are a political and economic scam being forced upon pet owners because they do not know the truth. All states have rabies vaccine-related laws, although not all laws require cats to be vaccinated against rabies. By PA law, dogs and cats shall be vaccinated against rabies within 4 weeks after the date the dog or cat attains 12 weeks of age, and maintain a current rabies immunity as prescribed by rabies vaccine manufacturers. Flea meds--even for an indoor cat. Be posted and votes can not be cast, press J to jump to the virus will be.! 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