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♥ Socko ♥

Why would a kitten who has never been exposed to outdoors (except for on a porch) in his life need a rabies shot?

My kitten Socko has only been outdoors once in his life when I took him out on the porch with a leash for a few minutes in the Fall. Before then, never. He was all indoor before we adopted him, and he will never go past our porch as far as our plans go. Why would he need a rabies shot?


Asked by ♥ Socko ♥ on Dec 28th 2010 Tagged indoorcat, rabiesshot in Vaccinations
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Izadore (Izzie)

States have different laws regarding vaccinating cats against rabies, but it's possible that your state requires them. In the event that your cat should bite someone (never say never)and that person demands your cat be quarantined, it would go a lot better for the cat if you can prove it had a rabies vaccination. In addtion, if your cat should somehow escape your home and is, God forbid, attacked by a rabid animal, he would be protected against rabies. Sometimes "plans" can go awry. The instance of bad reactions to rabies shots is very low, and in the big picture, vaccinations are on the low end of the cost of vet care. Low-cost spay/neuter/health clinics for pets can charge as little as $10 for a rabies vaccination. I always felt this was a true case of "better safe than sorry" and all my animals through the years have always gotten every vet-recommended vaccination.


Izadore (Izzie) answered on 12/28/10. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Bailey

I agree with Izzie. Mine are all vaccinated for rabies not only because it is the law in my state, but also because I want them to be safe if they ever got out for any reason, or if a rabid mouse or bat or other critter ever got in. Also, they are all capable of biting when they are frightened no matter how sweet they are and I would not want to have animal control take my cat away because I skipped something as simple as a vaccination. Rabies has no cure and an animal that gets it will die. It is much safer to vaccinate.


Bailey answered on 12/28/10. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Guest

The prior posters are absolutely right! For example, it is a law in the State of Pennsylvania that kittens be vaccinated for rabies at age 12 weeks. I had to have rabies vaccines six years ago when my cousin (was bitten) and I came in contact with a 5-week old kitten who turned out to have rabies. The kitten was euthanized and we had to have a series of rabies shots. Also, your cat could get out and come in contact with a rabid animal. Rabies is deadly and it only costs $15.00 or so to get a rabies vaccine for your kitten. I certainly hope your kitten is neutered, and if not, get him fixed ASAP. Then you can also tell them to give him a rabies shot while he is getting neutered. Best of luck!


Member 185886 answered on 12/28/10. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Chibi

As another poster noted, it's not just outside critters that can pose a threat, it's also things like rabid vermin and bats that come inside the house. Rabid animals will get irrational and vicious. A neighbor's cat, for example, could get rabies and somehow get inside your house (I've had strange visitors, sans the rabies part, from time to time). To vaccinate or not to vaccinate is something that's currently being debated regarding both humans and animals, but I'm with the pro-vaccination side. Remember, vaccinations are not just for the sake of your own pet's health, but for the sake of that of any other animal or human who might be bitten by him. And, just in case you haven't seen "Old Yeller" recently, recall this factoid: after a bite, prophylactic injections can stave off rabies, but only before rabies symptoms set in. Once they symptoms manifest themselves, the death rate is 100%. And it's not a nice way to die.


Chibi answered on 12/28/10. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Dahlia

Think of rabies vaccinations like the vaccinations humans get for things like Polio and Rubella. These are not common diseases anymore but the reason they are currently rare is because of mandated vaccinations. Rabies was a much more common disease at one point. The United States has gotten a handle on it by making preventative vaccines a requirement. It may seem unnecessary at times, but the truth is we have almost eradicated this disease by vaccinating!


Dahlia answered on 12/31/10. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


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