Conference misery::feline_v1

    The once a year shots are very important.  Calici, Rhino and
    Panleukopenia can all be fatal in an unvaccinated cat.  Besides,
    for the cost of the shots, you couldn't begin to treat the illness
    should one of them contract it.  Since the upper respiratory illnesses
    are aerosol, you could bring them home to your cats from the
    environment.  So, just being indoor only isn't enough to protect
    them from catching something.  Another thing to consider, if you
    cats are unvaccinated, and you have to take them to the vet for
    something, they will be at risk just by being at the vet!  If the
    money is a real problem for you, why not talk to your vet about
    getting a multi cat discount for doing them all at once, or maybe
    learn about giving your own vaccines.  I really feel that it would
    not be a good idea to let your cats go without vaccinations.  A
    few years back, I let Jesse's vaccines go for a couple of months,
    and before I knew it he had caught Rhino.  We almost lost him.
    
    If your kitties are indoor only and not exposed to any other cats,
    it is my opinion that felv shots and tests (after the initial test
    and negative result) are not necessary.  Felv cannot be transmitted
    by airborne particles, it is not a hardy virus and cannot survive
    in a dry environmment for more than a few seconds.  Also, it requires
    prolonged, direct, contact with blood, urine, saliva, or other body
    secretions in order to be transmitted.
    
    So, if money is a problem, maybe cut back on felv shots and tests,
    ask about a discount on yearly boosters for your three cats for
    their Calici, Rhino, and Panleuk vaccines, or learn how to give
    those yourself.
    
    Jo

Unless you live in a hermetically sealed environment, your cats can still
be at risk for contact with parasites - through dirt infested with worm
spoors that the humans track in (for instance) - and at risk for contact
with viruses through nose touches (through the screened windows) with
outside cats who are infected - and through the transport "truck" of the
canine and feline world, the flea.  Cats are also subject to the effects of
aging, such as kidney failure, liver failure, cancer, etc.  Your yearly
check-up at the vet is also important to define the "health-line" of the cat
so that when he/she gets sick, your vet has the knowlege of what the
healthy cat is - so it can be determined just how sick the sick cat is.

The immunizations are necessary to defend from the viruses that can travel
to any vulnerable cat, whether indoor-only or not.

All things considered, a once a year visit isn't so expensive when you
know you have healthy feline friends to keep you company, is it?

For that matter, you are cheating your own health if you do not have a
yearly check-up with a doctor...the same doctor for several years...and
keep your medical records updated at the office of the doctor you use.

    
    
    	I noticed that here, in Colorado, there is a large discount
    	pet supply store that now has "vaccination/checkup day" 
    	on certain days. They have a vet in the store and cats and
    	dogs are given their vaccinations at a discount price.
    	Also, certain vet offices here are implementing that practice.
    	If you know what shots your pet needs, you bring them in,
    	get in line, get the pet vaccinated and get out at a discount.
    	I guess I still prefer to make the appointment and spend some
    	time getting Catnippy checked out but I see your point with
    	3 of them. 
    						kim and catnip
    

    Thank you for your quick and honest answers!!
    
    I honestly had no idea that cats are so susceptible to such a varity
    of health problems.  I guess the check ups and yearly boosters are
    really necessary.  My concern was not so much the cost (although that
    was surely a part of it) but more the necessity of it all.  It seems
    that there is regular stream of "reminders" from the vet for one or more 
    of the kitties to be checked out.... ie: REMINDER Mr. Jordan... 
    Sneekers needs his boosters, Sam needs a stool test... etc..  
    It just makes me think...hmmmm is business that slow that even when 
    my pals are healthy they need to have some test or another.  But as 
    I have now learned it is not a kind world for the furry ones, and maybe
    the vet has more than his next car payment on his mind.  
    
                     Thanks for the help..... gotta call the vet!
    
                        Don, Sam, Sneekers, and Zelda

    Don -
      Try to get them all on the same schedule so you can get a 
    multi-cat discount.  If your vet won't do that for you - the
    discount part - then find another vet who will.  With 7 permanent
    cats and the certainty that i'd be bringing in foster cats I
    had to find a vet who would give me a break on the price.
    
    And as far as going to the doctor only when you're sick - you have
    the benefit of knowing that going to the doctor is the right thing
    to do when you know you are sick.  Cat can be very good at hiding 
    illness.  That thorough once over that the vet gives them may uncover
    tumors or various other nasty things.
    
      See if your vet will let you pay on installments.
      Nancy DC

    Does your town offer a rabies clinic? In my town, there is an annual one
    and the shots are $5 each (as opposed to $15 in the vet's office).

    Deb

    There is a low cost shots clinic run locally here as well, but I'd still
    advise a yearly checkup.  Scheduling two or more at the same time does
    make it easier on everyone (less time lost from work, less hassle 
    afterwards because one smells funny to the others.)