Indoor cats - rabies vaccination

[Richo]

I just received a notice from the vet that Barnaby is due for his 3 year rabies vaccination. I'm just wondering how necessary this is.

He is strictly an indoor cat, I live alone and he never makes a move for the door when I open it so I'm not concerned about him getting out.

Baxter is probably a little over a year old and had his vaccination this past summer. I'm also wondering if it would ever be necessary to get another one for him.

There seems to be many opinions on this and laws as well but I'm not the least bit concerned about my cats escaping outside. I can't see how they would be able to contract rabies indoors.

One advisor at a cat behavior hotline I've called in the past said that she never takes her cats to be vaccinated after they have had their initial shots because it can be detrimental to their health.

How much if this is truth and how much is myth? What do you think?

[Ducky]

I haven't heard about negative side effects of the shot. But I also have not researched it. I think that overmedicating a cat is never good. However with rabies, laws aside, there is always a chance your cat could get outside & escape. Even if they never run at the door.
A window could break, you could have someone you know leave the door open like we did , they could escape while bringing them to the vet.
Because of this I always make sure Belfour's vaccines are up to date.
But like I said, I also have never done reasearch into bad effects of rabies vaccines.

[coaster]

Richo -

in Wisconsin, if your cat bit you (or anyone), and you could not show proof of having had a rabies shot, you (or the person bit), would be REQUIRED, by law, to get rabies shots. Even if there's no chance in h*** that your cat has rabies because it's never been outside. Stupid? Yes. You know how it is.

also, consider the possibility that your cat ever did get out and was picked up without having a license or a rabies shot.

I know, I agree with you, having to have a rabies shot when there's practically no chance of being exposed to it is ridiculous, but you have CYA where the law is concerned.

Tim

[CTCat]

Bats can carry rabies and they often very easily can get into a house. Just a month ago we had to send out a bat for rabies testing at the animal hospital I work at. The unvaccinated indoor family cat was found playing with it. Plus, it is a state law here in conn.

[sunshine9]

I have also had bats in the house. Bats do carry rabies and often do not show symptoms of it. The other problem is that bat bites are soo small people often dont know they were bitten.

Just recently, a teen in Wisconsis was bit by a bat and didnt know it. She ended up contracting rabies. There is no cure for rabies. They did experiment with her and possibly *cured* her which is close to a miracle.

Besides, rabies is most likely required by state law in your state. I wouldnt risk it.

[Mitts & Tess]

I heard and others may know more about this but theyve started to advise not to give shots as often. Its not good for dogs or cats health. Dang now I cant remember where I was reading this. It might be on Cat Forum even

My cats are not outside cats but Mittens has escaped for a day while I was gone. Then I was glad he had his FIV and Rabie shot. They found a rabid dog in our neighborhood that summer so it does exist and come close to home. In arizona they are always find rabid coyotes etc each year so you can never be too careful.

[CTCat]

Yes, they are advising that you don't give the distemper vacc as often and potentially skip the leukemia one if your cat is strictly indoors. I wouldn't mess around with rabies though. It depends on your state law but I think every 3 years isn't that bad. You can always have titers run at your vet's office to verify that they are still protected from the last vaccine.