Rabies shot at 14 yrs.

[lindapalm]

My mother in law wants to have her 14 yr old cats teeth cleaned, but they will not do it unless he has a rabies shot, even though the cat is a strictly indoor cat. She is worried he too old for it, and can't understand why they treat the cat for allergies, etc. without a shot, but won't clean the teeth without one. They told her they could give the cat a shot right before they clean the teeth, but whats the point in doing it then, if their worried about rabies, the shot wouldn't help. Do you think its safe for an old cat to get a rabies shot, and especially at the time of dental cleaning?

[Dog Dancer]

Wow, I think I'd take my cat to another vet. I can't say if it's safe or not, but I would certainly get a second opinion elsewhere.

[cassblonde]

Aren't rabies shots the law? It's possible that the vet is only insisting upon this because there is a liability issue involved.

[sugarcatmom]

Originally Posted by cassblonde

Aren't rabies shots the law?

Depends where you live. Here in Calgary they aren't required. I personally would not be vaccinating any cat at the time of any surgical procedure.... way too taxing on their immune system. I'd either find another vet, or ask to do a titre test in place of the vax.

[pattymac]

I haven't vaccinated any of my cats, except Noella, since they were kittens. Noella got her kitten shots and booster. Bobee hasn't had shots since her was a kitten. When I took Nino in for his bladder infection, the vet asked if he had his shots. I said no but he's strictly indoor and she didn't say anymore about it and he stayed overnight. I wouldn't be vaccinating a 14 year old cat either! I'd be getting a second opinion too! On the other hand, Bayley is vaccinated, rabies etc.

[Rgeurts]

I certainly would not vaccinate a 14 yr old indoor kitty. The risks of vaccination are already high, then factor in the age and that this kitty has probably been vaccinated over the years (high risk for over-vaccinating)... too risky imo. And like SCM has said, very risky just before surgery. I would be finding another vet. Titre testing is a good way to go if they insist on the vaccination. I went to a lecture by Dr. Steve Marsden (veterinary and human Naturopath and TCM and also our lil Nookies vet ) and he really covered companion animal health, diet and vaccines. He spoke about Dr. Ronald Schultz, who has spent more than 30 yrs of his life studying vaccinations, the effects of over-vaccinating and duration that the vaccine has on immunity. I won't go in to all the details, but this is a great arcticle if you would like to read it:

http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com...immunity-vets/

Good luck