Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

To vaccinate or not?

19 replies

Leafytrees · 12/12/2022 21:12

I've taken my cat for her booster jab today and I was worried her heart would give out while we were there. It's made me wonder whether I should get her booster done next year. She's not particularly old but is very timid and lives in such a way that she can choose exactly how much interaction she has with people. Most people don't know we have a cat as she'll leave the house whenever she smells anyone else come onto the property. Today at the vets she was shaking all over, her feet were sweating and her heart was pounding. I'll ask the vet the question of course, but has anyone ever just not had their cat jabbed? She does go outside, she's not an indoor cat. I wouldn't want her to pick up anything nasty, but I've never seen a cat scared like she was today.

OP posts:
thelobsterquadrille · 12/12/2022 22:00

It's totally up to you, but be aware that if she's not jabbed and picks up a preventable disease as a result, your insurance won't pay out for any treatment required.

JoanOgden · 12/12/2022 22:02

Poor cat! Have you tried looking into home vets? I have one who comes round to vaccinate my cat to avoid vet misery. It's more expensive but worth it.

Original poster
Leafytrees · 13/12/2022 20:26

@JoanOgden I didn't realise this was a possibility! Thank you, this sounds much better for her. How did you find the service? Is it through your usual vet? She's such a special little cat, I want her to be healthy so if there's a way to get her vaccinated without all the stress that would be ideal.

OP posts:
Original poster
Leafytrees · 13/12/2022 20:27

@thelobsterquadrille thank you, I hadn't considered this but it makes sense. She is insured but I understand why they wouldn't pay in this situation.

OP posts:
thelobsterquadrille · 13/12/2022 20:30

Leafytrees · 13/12/2022 20:27

@thelobsterquadrille thank you, I hadn't considered this but it makes sense. She is insured but I understand why they wouldn't pay in this situation.

It's just worth considering as some conditions can be ongoing and end up being pretty expensive without insurance.

JoanOgden · 13/12/2022 21:25

Leafytrees · 13/12/2022 20:26

@JoanOgden I didn't realise this was a possibility! Thank you, this sounds much better for her. How did you find the service? Is it through your usual vet? She's such a special little cat, I want her to be healthy so if there's a way to get her vaccinated without all the stress that would be ideal.

I just googled home vet and London! I don't know how many home vets there are elsewhere in the country, but it seems like an obvious market. I live alone and trying to scrobble my large and feisty cat into a carrier by myself is no fun for either of us.

menareallthesame · 13/12/2022 21:57

We have a home vet. I’m fact he gave our cat her booster today in our kitchen!

Toddlerteaplease · 13/12/2022 22:16

You won't be able to put her in a Cattery if she's not jabbed.

lljkk · 13/12/2022 22:41

sorry this is thread hijack: are you having trouble getting cat vaccinations? My cats are almost 2 months overdue. The vet says there is a European wide shortage of cat vaccinations.

The other town vet is hoarding supplies for their regular customers only. I haven't started phoning vets that are 6-20 miles away. I will have to do that (phone everywhere) at start January if regular vet doesn't come thru by then.

We never got our elderly cat jabbed. He hated vet visits (once threw up everywhere in response to one). He barely left the garden and there aren't many other cats around here (except our younger cats who were kept up to date).

Original poster
Leafytrees · 15/12/2022 05:58

@Toddlerteaplease you couldn't put her in a cattery, it wouldn't be fair to her. She hates other cats as well as being scared of people. If we go away the neighbours feed her so she never leaves here other than for these boosters. She was a feral cat before she came here, and I suppose she still is in most ways, she's just got used to us.

OP posts:
Original poster
Leafytrees · 15/12/2022 05:59

@lljkk oh no. Our vet didn't mention a shortage but that's not to say there isn't one. Whereabouts in the country are you?

OP posts:
Original poster
Leafytrees · 15/12/2022 06:00

@menareallthesame and @JoanOgden thank you, this is very encouraging. I shall Google!

OP posts:
lljkk · 15/12/2022 08:21

Norfolk, thanks LeafyTrees. I'm beginning to wonder if vet is fibbing !!

thelobsterquadrille · 15/12/2022 11:11

There is a vaccine shortage but not all practises and areas will be affected.

It will also depend which brand you use.

Original poster
Leafytrees · 15/12/2022 14:15

@lljkk if you get desperate there are definitely cat vaccines in Yorkshire. Now sure your cat would thank you for the road trip though!

OP posts:
lljkk · 15/12/2022 20:31

today, We just got appt thru, 3 days before they supposedly expire & would have to restart the course. I suppose that's still in time and I love our vet otherwise

pinneddownbytabbies · 15/12/2022 20:36

If she was a stray before she came to you, have you ever had her tested for FIV?

Original poster
Leafytrees · 16/12/2022 05:10

@lljkk that's good news, hope it goes well

@pinneddownbytabbies yes, she was tested and found to be FIV negative.

OP posts:
Tropicaliyes · 16/12/2022 07:45

We have 2 senior sibling cats and one dog and our cats have never been vaccinated. When they were babies our female went to get spayed and brought cat flu home and it spread like wildfire (we had their younger sibling litters with us at the time also) and from that point on they were sick for life and uninsurable!

they are indoor cats with access to a balcony they don’t go on now but besides the cat flu they have never been sick but it would be different in your case where yours actually goes outside.

Our dog had all his initial vaccines done when needed but we didn’t get him his boosters and will wait a bit before we do.. he is also fit as a fiddle but nonetheless all 3 of them LOVE the vets and would do anything for a unneeded visit!

New posts on this thread. Refresh page