How do I find out what kind of immunizations my cat needs and has?

Question

My cat is 7 and he hasn't been to the veterinarian in a while. He doesn't do good when he's there. I was wondering how I could find out what kind of immunizations my cat needs and has. If there's a way to find this out without going to the veterinarian, that'd be great. I can call or email the veterinarian, but I don't want to go there. Is there a website that lists all of the immunizations a cat needs? Thank you, in advance for answering.

Answer 1

All his immunizations are out of date at this point.  However, The Fosters and Smith (catalog & website) list immunizations & schedule for cats & dogs (they are vets and the web has loads of info). here is their web:

DrsFosterSmith.com,  you can buy many pet meds, toys, supplies,etc  there as well as give the immunizations yourself if that's something you can handle.

Answer 2

if he hasnt been to the vet in a long time then it dosnt matter what he has been given they dont last forever so he dosnt have any  

Answer 3

Your vet will probably treat the cat as if it hasn't been to the vet for a year. Most vaccines for cats that age are annual. At 7 years old your local vet should be able to recommend vaccines for an elder cat.

Answer 4

Call your former veterinarian and ask them what vaccines he has had and what vaccines they recommend.  Rabies is a legal issue and really should be boostered every year (there is a three year vaccine available, but it has a very high incidence of vaccine associated carcinomas so many vets really don't recommend it...and some states do not recognize it so you would still have to get it done yearly).  The distemper vaccine actually protects against several viruses including distemper and the most common viral upper respiratory diseases and is generally recommended for all cats unless they have a history of vaccine reactions.  The feline leukemia/FIV vaccine is highly recommended if your cat goes outdoors at all or if your indoor cat is an escape artist because these diseases can not be treated once a cat has been infected.  Bordatella (a bacterial upper respiratory infection) is generally recommended if your cat will be boarding, going to the groomer, or if you are planning on bringing home a new cat or dog but otherwise it isn't really necessary.  The only other vaccine I can think of for cats is the FIP vaccine, which most cats don't really need.  What your vet recommends for your cat should depend on what is prevalent in your area and your cat's individual risk factors (outdoors? indoors? travels? do you have a dog? is there a large feral cat population in your area that you could carry disease in on your clothes? etc).

Some vets will do house calls, although they can be very difficult to find.  If you can't find a vet who will do a house call, then you really don't have any option BUT to go to the vet to get vaccines.  By law, rabies has to be given by a veterinarian.  Many other vaccines can be purchased elsewhere, but you might as well just throw your money away.  Vaccines bought from somewhere other than the vet are not guaranteed and you have absolutely no way of knowing if they were handled properly or if they sat in the hot sun for a few hours (rendering them completely useless) before making it into the fridge.