indoor pets + vets ?

[nostatic]

I'm curious if I'm in the minority on this one. I have 2 indoor-only cats, both pound rescues (one from 2000, the other 2006). They were spayed/neutered and given a clean bill of health when adopted but have not been back to a vet since. Since they do not go outside (and no other animals come inside except humans) it doesn't seem that there is any reason for shots or vet visits. In fact my ex-father-in-law is a retired cell biologist who also has a DVM degree and interestingly enough he is fairly anti-shots/vets.

If an animal is outside and is at-risk then I can see the utility, but not sure it is an issue with indoor animals. Thoughts?

[Rikao4]

pretty sure you & others drag stuff in..
perhaps not as 'exposed' as others..
the shot's aren't that much $..
if need be ..
you can do it..
just because some folks don't DIY..
doesn't mean..
I don't need a tetanus shot...


Rika

[pwd72s]

Our two cats are indoor only. We've been wondering the same thing. I suppose there is always the risk one could get out...

So far, we've been doing the vet thing.

[nostatic]

Frankly I think that putting them in the carrier and hauling them to the vet and back is more exposure than they get in the house.

[stomachmonkey]

All cats always indoor only.

After dog was gone we stopped the regular vet stuff.

Wasn't a conscious decision at first but over time wife and I both fail to see the point in it.

In retrospect I have yet to have a vet detect something before the pet started to exhibit symptoms of something.

[foxpaws]

My little Mulan (rescue from a crack house) was a wonderfully healthy cat. Had a first visit to the vet to make sure everything was fine, current shots, etc. and then no vet visits for about 5 years. My best friend talked me into taking her in for shots, within 72 hours of coming home she died of feline panleukopenia. The only place she could have picked it up was at the vets. She wasn't an old cat (8 years old) and had a lot of time ahead of her.

My current rescue - Nefertiti, again had the first vet visit to make sure everything was OK with her, current shots, however, she will not be going to a vet unless she gets ill.

My cats are inside only cats.

Mulan - bestest cat...


Neffi...

[rusnak]

I think you might consider whether fleas or rodents might still somehow carry disease to your cats. I have my dogs vaccinated even though they spend almost no time outside.

[UconnTim97]

We have two indoor only cats. They both went to the vet regularly as kittens to get spayed and all necessary vaccinations and that is it. They haven't been to a vet since. We see no need as they aren't out in the wild.
We feed them only natural organic food and keep them active. It has worked well for us thus far.
When we had outdoor cats they went to the vet regularly and as needed. It would have been a disservice to them not to have them checked out on a regular basis. Who knows what they got into out in the woods, etc.

[mikeesik]

I used to live on the fourth floor of a condo.
Had a cat that never went outside to touch the grass or dirt outside on the ground floor. Not once!
He'd hang out on the deck but thats as far as his freedom went.

He eventually became afflicted with distemper and died.
What are the chances!

[john70t]

Originally Posted by foxpaws

My best friend talked me into taking her in for shots, within 72 hours of coming home she died of feline panleukopenia.

Dog is still getting over "kennel cough", picked up years ago.

[Bugsinrugs]

I have two garage cats that I got from animal rescue to keep the rodents at bay. They don' t get to see the Vet because I can' t catch them!

[herr_oberst]

Check this out - mine is a rescue cat, so, every 2 years, I get a letter from Oregon telling me he needs to get a Rabies vaccination, and I'll be fined if I don't send in the proof from the vet. Really? Damn, it's expensive to live in Portland.

And don't get me started about what the vet thinks should be standard procedure - fecal samples, blood work, tarter removal.
Rabies and Feline Leukemia are what he gets and he seems healthy and happy.

[desertt5]

First cat never saw a vet after 1 year old. Lived to be close to 16. 4 indoor cats now, no vet visit after initial shots when kittens, 7 years and doing good.

[dennis in se pa]

Regular vet visits are part of the "conditioning". I have had pets for more than 40 years. Outdoor / indoor pets. I don't take them to a vet unless it's necessary. And I found out with my first dog 42 years ago that those flea collars are bad! Having been "conditioned" to believe they were necessary I put one on the dog that rescued me. I noticed a rapid distinct change in his behavior. It seemed to slow him down. I took the collar off and he was back to normal. Never had a flea collar again. Put one next to your nose for a few minutes, multiply the effect by 10 and see what you think. Not that flea powder is not necessary as needed, possibly 2 or 3 times in 40 years.