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Old July 7th, 2014, 01:37 PM
jtraveller jtraveller is offline
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Hoping for some advice regarding rabies vaccination for my indoor cat

Hello, I know that this has been a much discussed topic and that there is a sticky at the top of this thread regarding the issue. I've read the sticky, other posts on this website and information on other websites but I still feel unsure of what to do.

I have a 5 1/2 year old cat named Mickey that was given 1-year rabies shots at 1 year old and 2 years + 5 months old. So there has been approximately a 2 year period where he has not been up to date with his vaccinations.

I have OCD and upon recently thinking about rabies and doing this research, I have started to become quite anxious, (although I am aware that there isn't much real cause for any concern, OCD is a tricky thing and often preys on any doubt.)

I used to let Mickey out on to the balcony of a previous apartment that I lived in, even at night, although this would have been while he was still covered by his rabies vaccinations.
From the time that his last vaccination would have "worn off" the only times that I am aware that he has been outside were 2 occasions going to the vet, 2 occasions of moving to a new home, one short occasion where I took him outside on a leash (which terrified him but during which I don't think there was contact with any other animals), a couple of times in which he has snuck out onto the balcony of my current apartment (which would have been very short occasions but it is possible although unlikely that he interacted with another animal).
When I lived in a townhouse with some roommates for one year, I think once or twice he got out of the front door for a few seconds. I guess it's possible that he snuck out for a short period of time on other occasions and one of my roommates brought him back in although I'm not aware of this happening. However, this time living in the townhouse would have been during the end of Mickey's time being up to date on his vaccinations and I think there would have been less than a month of time where they had "worn off" and I had not yet moved to my current apartment.
At my current apartment, Mickey is a completely indoor cat (times that I listed above). He once and a while gets into the hallway of the building although I haven't ever seen him interact with other animals there and I try hard to keep him inside.
On 3 occasions, friends of mine have brought dogs into my current apartment. Although I haven't asked yet (I will), I assume that they were all current on their rabies vaccinations.
One year ago we got a second kitten who is up to date on his rabies vaccinations.
I haven't ever seen a bat in my apartment but I can't rule out the possibility.

I hope you'll excuse the long winded (OCD fueled) description of Mickey's history.

A little while ago, Mickey playfully bit me and very slightly broke the skin on my hand. It was this incident that started my worrying about the fact that he wasn't completely up to date on the vaccinations.

I guess there are two things I was hoping for in making this post:

One is to subdue my fears (OCD) that since he isn't current on the vaccinations, he has caught it at some point and it is in the incubation period.

The other is to get any opinions on if you would re-vaccinate for rabies if you were in my position.

Thanks for any thoughts
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Old July 7th, 2014, 06:24 PM
Longblades Longblades is offline
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Well, I'm not vaccinating my 17 year old at all for anything any more and haven't for a few years and she did go outside till this year when she went completely deaf. Most vaccinations are effective much, much longer than the Vet schedule. However if rabies is required by law where you are you do take a chance by not keeping it up to date.

My feral is not going outside at all, I'd probably never see him again. He was vaccinated when we live trapped him two years ago but not since. He is too extremely fearful for me to even take him to the Vet so no more vaccinations for him either.

If it's going to agonize you with worry then perhaps you should have the vacs. done. Me, I'm not worried. Heck, the most recent live trapped cat bit me when I knew very little about her and I didn't worry. She only gave me a tiny bite but it did bleed. She wasn't acting like she had rabies, she was acting like she was afraid I might hurt her kittens, normal behaviour.
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Old July 7th, 2014, 06:39 PM
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Winston Winston is offline
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Depends on where you live as the law goes. There comes a time when I wouldn't do them any more. I stopped after 10yrs. I discussed with my vet and they agreed, indoor kitty over 10, it really is a personal decision but I wouldn't worry too much on the bite unless rabies is an issue where you live??
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