Malaysia Veterinary Forum (Archive)

fhinz · Joined: 25 Aug 2006 Posts: 295 Location: KL or Miri

We have a very long generation family of cats but knowledge on vaccination and medical needs is thin. For the past few years, we started to bring our cats to vet whenever they get sick. However, we still don't send our cats to a vet for vaccint coz we still not quite sure about it.

The things is I really want to send our cats to vet but I'm still a trainee for a certified program and don't have my own salary. I want to convince my parents to send our cats for vaccint until I have my own job to pay for the cats' vaccination and other medical needs. But I myself don't know anything about vaccint; things like how much is the vaccination, how many time is required, what pro and cons of vaccination.

I don't want to see my cats to easily get sick since they live outdoors and nowadays, there are lots of neighbour cats roaming around the neighbourhood. Before the increasing amount of neighbour cats, my cats were quite healthy. My cats were also quite productive but now, the new generation are three or less.

So, please, please, help me on this matter.

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

Actually, in the long run, vaccinating your cats will be cheaper than treating all your cats for the disease. Plus, even when spent so much on the treatment, the outcome is usually very poor. The initial vaccinations will be about 2 or 3 doses, and then you only have to vaccinate them once a year. Discuss with your vet on what is best for them. Your vet will help you develop a vaccination program for all your cats.

I'm just wondering what is the average age of your cats? An average cat can live up to about 15 years these days - with proper healthcare and nutrition, of course.

fhinz · Joined: 25 Aug 2006 Posts: 295 Location: KL or Miri

I have lost track the cat ages but one thing for sure, the current mother cat seems like to mate with the siamese cat (or is it persian, can't see he very closely). Oh, the mother cat is about 5 years old.

Oh, I see your point, maybe our cats are not too long-lived after all. I'll try to ask the vet. So, if the vet suggest vaccinate twice a year, is that good? If I'm not mistaken, there was a vet who suggest that to us, she said once every 6 months.

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

It depends on how high a risk your cats are. If they have high exposure to the infectious diseases, then you may need it. For example, for cat shows, it is recommended that the cats get vaccinations before going on the show, this is to prevent spread of disease to some very expensive and beautiful cats. Normally, after the initial boosters, an annual vaccination would suffice.

fhinz · Joined: 25 Aug 2006 Posts: 295 Location: KL or Miri

My cats live outdoors and mingle with neighbours' cats. And they often bring home dead small animals like birds, biawak, etc. God knows where they get those extra food supplies. That means they have high exposure to any infectious diseases, right? Well, guess they should get vaccination once in every 6 months,

psharlene · Joined: 21 Aug 2006 Posts: 91 Location: Subang Jaya

Maybe you should also consider getting your cat spayed. I heard that it will also prevent some diseases. I know it helped prevent ovary cancer in dogs, is it the same for cats?

bbpie · Joined: 19 Apr 2006 Posts: 49

Dr Nat wrote: It depends on how high a risk your cats are. If they have high exposure to the infectious diseases, then you may need it. For example, for cat shows, it is recommended that the cats get vaccinations before going on the show, this is to prevent spread of disease to some very expensive and beautiful cats. Normally, after the initial boosters, an annual vaccination would suffice.
DrNat, i hv a female cat, about 10yr+ already. she used to b d only cat in d house but in in d recent yrs..i had additions :). i cant remember when she last had a jab. d vet recently asked me to update her vaccination but m worried. she is old but still quite active. i do understand with d increase of cats in d house n she being d oldest, changes of her catching something also increases.

i know its silly, but my worry is that she might be able to take d jab. correct me if m wrong but cats need to b healthy for vaccinations. right now she does not hv any visible problem, xcept for some dry skin (fungal perhaps?) on her neck. vet seems to think its ok, but i still worry la...

any advice?

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

Have you tried asking your vet for advise on this? For older pets, the risks are usually higher for more invasive treatments or surgeries. For vaccinations however, there are usually no additional risks involved for old pets, unless she's already contracted the disease. If you're really worried, dont be afraid to ask your vet for advice. If your vet has been seeing your cat previously, then he/she will be the best person to give you the advice regarding this cat.

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

Quote: Maybe you should also consider getting your cat spayed. I heard that it will also prevent some diseases. I know it helped prevent ovary cancer in dogs, is it the same for cats?
Yes, the benefits are really the same for cats as it is for dogs. Dogs have a little extra advantage when it comes to having less risks of getting Transmissible Veneral Tumour, something a cat wont get.

But the benefits is really not only in preventing cancer of reproductive organs, but also in preventing other diseases such as pyometra, and infection of the womb. There's also behavioural benefits too. For example, male cats might lessen its desire to roam around, fight with other cats and spray urine all over your house. In animal welfare terms, by spaying/castrating your cats, you're helping in preventing another unneccessary birth and adding to the overpopulation of pets.

bbpie · Joined: 19 Apr 2006 Posts: 49

Dr Nat wrote: Have you tried asking your vet for advise on this? For older pets, the risks are usually higher for more invasive treatments or surgeries. For vaccinations however, there are usually no additional risks involved for old pets, unless she's already contracted the disease. If you're really worried, dont be afraid to ask your vet for advice. If your vet has been seeing your cat previously, then he/she will be the best person to give you the advice regarding this cat.
yes i raised my concern with d vet. but he believes it should b ok since she is healthy. i know, probably just me being silly, had her for so long..cant bear if anything happens to her :lol: paranoid la me..

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

We all know that feeling :)

fhinz · Joined: 25 Aug 2006 Posts: 295 Location: KL or Miri

so, if spayed male cats can prevent them from roaming around and make them less threat to other male cats, what about female cats? if I spayed female cats, does that mean they willn't roaming around and not gonna be the main attraction among the male cats, right?

if I spayed my cats, does that mean they will be less agressive?

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

Spayed female cats will not come on-heat or start calling out for other males. Male cats will stop looking at them. But, I don't know if it will stop the aggression.

fhinz · Joined: 25 Aug 2006 Posts: 295 Location: KL or Miri

Oh, sort of spayed female like "I'm don't have anything good for you boys, so back-off!", hehehe... I think my mother cat should get spayed as she has tooooo many admirers, sort of like the beauty queen in neighborhood. I dunno what's so interesting about her that male cats love to visit our house. And she seems enjoy the attention but her male grown offsprings seems really hate other male cats in their territory coz they have to run or hide!

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

The laws of attraction. Opposite sexes attracts.. the ones of the same sex are enemies! If you get them all neutered, then they'll be neutral.