First of all, let me start by saying I understand the importance of vaccinating pets. My husband and I have two cats, both 2 years old. Happy, healthy boys that we love dearly, and both indoor-only.
My big boy tabby (Oliver) has received all his vaccines with no issue... but my smaller siamese (Anakin) had a TERRIFYING reaction to his initial feline distemper series at 8-9 weeks old. About 4-5 days after the shots he hid for several days, wouldn’t eat or drink anything, and his limbs seemingly went lame all of the sudden. He would literally cry out in pain when we tried to comfort him, and he felt hot to the touch which scared the crap out of us. We rushed him to the vet and they were really confused by the delayed symptoms (since vaccine reactions usually happen quickly). They kept him for 24 hours, giving him fluids under the skin to get his temperature down and monitoring him. Thankfully, he returned to normal after a few (really) scary days, and the vet said it was likely an allergic reaction.
Since he’s an indoor-only cat and not a flight risk (he’s a wimp and scared of the front door) they said we can pass on finishing the distemper series, but insisted he still needs the rabies vaccine as it’s required by law and a BIG deal if anything were to happen. We said we’d reschedule that, went home... and I have been steadily avoiding the vet check-ups ever since.
I recognize this is irresponsible. I know, at the very least, he needs a wellness check... but after extensively (obsessively) researching the rabies vaccine, I am bombarded with information on the awful side effects it can have on cats who are known to be sensitive to vaccines. The amount of heart-wrenching stories about lifelong, irreversible problems from the rabies shot, or cats that have even died from a reaction has been tormenting me to no end. I’m really not sure if it’s worth the risk. If he’s strictly indoor-only, with no interest of going outside, why would I willingly give him something that could induce another reaction, potentially more serious this time?
It’s worth mentioning that while we were renovating our house last year and taking down ceilings, we had 2 bats fall from the attic down into the open basement ceilings and fly into our living room. Luckily, my husband got them out very quickly, and we’ve since closed up the ceilings and bat proofed the entire place. Still, that risk of exposure worries me greatly, too... and I just go back and forth endlessly over what the best decision is for my sweet buddy I have grown to love so much.
I have GAD, and the level of daily worry about whether we’re making the right decision by not vaccinating right now is driving me nuts. I need to make an appointment with the vet soon for a regular check-up, but the tech always berates me on the phone for avoiding the vaccine, and I usually break down in ugly tears and spend the whole day researching again.
Does anyone have any personal experience with this?
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from Pets https://www.reddit.com/r/Pets/comments/f76x5c/help_torn_anxiety_about_1st_rabies_shot_for/
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