Jennifer, My veterinary clinic has similar rules about shots and staying overnight for any reason there...but they do not insist on vaccines for FeVL+ or geriatric cats (the front desk girls don't know this though).
I'm about the dumbest person on this list - but in my opinion, he really shouldn't get shots OR have surgery if he has fever... You may have already done this -- but sometimes it helps to speak directly to the vet rather than the people at the desk. The desk people are educated in the general policies of the clinic but are not qualified to make a decision based on special circumstances. I've found that if I am very polite and ask that the vet call me at his convenience - just having a good conversation with the vet and reaching an understanding considering all the variables involved can have much better results. That is no slam on the people who work there - they are just doing their job..and when they get to know you - they can really be your friend. (not to imply that you haven't already done this...) At any rate -- prayers going up for you and for dear Midnight. Your love and care for him will go a long way in making him better. My father was a vet tech for years when he was working his way through college. He loves animals and would spend a lot of time with the very sick ones making sure that they knew they were loved and cared for. The vet he worked for told him that the death rate there dramatically decreased (even for the dogs with Parvo) after dad started just giving the sick ones the extra love and attention...and that was years and years ago. It truly makes a difference. If you do introduce a new FeVL+ friend for him - it might be a good idea to bring in a kitten -- someone who would automatically assume a lesser spot in the hierarchy and not challenge him for top position...maybe even a little girl kittie (spayed, of course...at least in time) Sometimes having a much younger one works out quite well. He just doesn't need to feel threatened. I think I friend would do him good. Best to you Jennifer - elizabeth On 1/27/07, Jennifer Madon <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Midnight is not licensed. That is not a requirement in my county. I was told by my vet that he is required to have rabies and distemper vaccines in order to come into the vet for the surgery because of the other cats. Problem #1 is that he is there for check ups with out the vaccines. #2 he is FeLV + so he should not be around any other cats. I am not sure if he has ever been vaccinated before. He came to us about a month ago. I am not sure why but I have a really bad feeling about him getting the distemper. Maybe I will try another vet. Unfortunately there are not many vets in my area. I will drive if I have to though. He has only been here a month but we are really in love with him. I think he gets lonely during the day so I thought about another FeLV+ cat to keep him company but I think he would get mad. He has a bad history of being attacked (when he lived outside) by the neighborhood cats. In fact, his fever was from an abscess on his hind parts that the vet said was cat bites. Anyway, the search is on for a new vet. Jennifer Nina wrote: > Hi Jennifer, > Technically most state laws govern that a cat has to have rabies > shots. I'd check your county/state laws to make sure. You can, > however, get away with not giving them rabies shots if they are not > licensed. I don't think I've ever heard of states requiring you to > give distemper. If Midnight isn't licensed, then it is your vet that > is insisting on it. Vaccines are a judgement call. You have to weigh > the protection against the stress it might cause. You mentioned that > Midnight has already had a fever, the fact that he's already been sick > might influence you. I usually have my cats inoculated only for the > first series. I don't do the yearly, or every 3 yr follow ups. There > is a great deal of debate about whether they are necessary. You can > always run a titer (using a blood test), to determine if the cat still > has sufficient antibodies needed to protect him against the individual > diseases. At any rate, don't get his shots at the same time you do > his neuter. > Neutering is something that I personally think is worth the risk. > Surgery and anesthesia is certainly stressful, but so is being > intact. Not being neutered, besides the pleasant side effect of > inappropriate urination, and possibly adding to the overpopulation > burden, will cause Midnight to want to escape your house to go > "catting around". It also makes them more aggressive toward other > cats and he could get into fights, or mate with sick girlfriends etc. > etc. > Tell your vet the reasons for your concern about having him vaccinated > and if he still insists on it, (and if you decide not to do it), find > a different vet. Recently Phaewrn started a thread about the safest > procedures for surgery. Using gas instead of injectables, running IV > fluids during surgery, etc. Take a look at the precautions suggested > and talk to your vet about those too. Whenever any of my guys goes in > for surgery, (pos and neg), I insist on bringing them home afterward > esp if the clinic doesn't have round the clock care. I don't know how > hectic your household is, I remember you saying you have kids :), but > I feel like I can keep a more watchful eye on my guys than anybody > else while they recover. If the worst happens, I can always run them > to the 24 hour er. > > Just my 2 cents. Hugs to you and Midnight, > Nina > > Jennifer Madon wrote: >> Thanks to everyone for your advice. From what I have read, I think >> that he is not spraying. Maybe marking (thank God he hasn't felt the >> need to claim me!) or peeing but not spraying. I called the vet >> about having him neutered and they said he has to have a rabies shot >> and distemper. I am not sure how I feel about this. He is not going >> out so I hate to give him anything he won't need. They didn't gibe >> him these shots the last time he was there because of his fever. >> Guess I have to do it though. Thanks again to everyone. >> Jennifer >> >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >>> My Doobie cat started that... I woke up in the middle of the night >>> warm and wet, he >>> had PEED on ME in my bed! He got neutered the next day! He has NEVER >>> gone outside the >>> box since. In his case, it was a marking behavior. >>> >>> That being said, spraying is when they back up to something and are >>> standing with >>> their tail raised, and spraying urine out behind them on a vertical >>> surface (the tail >>> usually shakes when they do it). Peeing is when they squat. Both can >>> be marking >>> behaviors, not necessarily health problems. 8-9-10 months is that >>> age where problems >>> often begin, as he's going through puberty at that age. >>> >>> Phaewryn >>> >>> http://ucat.us >>> Adopt a New England FIV+ cat: >>> http://ucat.us/FIVadopt.html >>> Special Needs Cat Links (and feline info library): >>> http://ucat.us/domesticcatlinks.html >>> Declawing Creates SUFFERING, Please don't declaw! >>> http://www.pawproject.com/kona.html >>> >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> > > >
