Pets don't need shots every year

Houston Chronicle ^ | April 22, 2002, 12:32AM | LEIGH HOPPER, Houston Chronicle Medical Writer

[Cincinatus' Wife]

PETA is going to be coming after you =^(

[mewzilla]

Actually we were talking about this, all the pet owners we know, long before the vets ever said anything. We know a lot of people who would get their pets vaccinated annually and then would get cancers at the site of the vaccination. We know about a lot of vets who still won't discuss it. Needless to say, I no longer no anyone who goes to those vets. And I don't know anyone who's still getting their animal(s) vaccinated annually. Their obstinance in dealing with this is really giving the veterinary profession a black eye.

As for kennels and groomers, we've always had cats so I've never needed either (we have folks cat-sit for us). I can understand their concern about the spread of disease, but if they don't start asking more questions about what they're insisting on, they're going to be in as much hot water as the vets.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

Your wise opinion, please.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I can tell you what might change things, though I hate to say it: lawsuits. And frankly, if the veterinary profession doesn't get its act together, I'd say they'd deserve them.

"Recommended by manufaturers" would be a good place to leverage change.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

nice cat and cute p.j.s too!

[Lizzy W]

At least in Charleston, SC, vets may be reaching a consensus on vaccination. My old vet does not recommend FELV for inside kitties (who test negative) because of the tumor risk at injection site. And, my new vet does not suggest yearly vaccinations for indoor kitties. However, I'm not sure if this recommendation stands when there is also a dog in the house (because some of these disease-causing organisms can be tracked in from outdoor pets).

[StockAyatollah]

Vets are a cash machine

Big-time! Vets are about as bad as dentists in prescribing unnecessary "care". I never thought that all the shots were a scam, but I have always suspected the heartworm pills to be nothing but a profit engine.

[mewzilla]

Ain't that the truth! And now that I think about it, I can't help but wonder whether or not this discussion has any applicability to the controversy over all the vaccinations that are being insisted upon for kids?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Their obstinance in dealing with this is really giving the veterinary profession a black eye.

We had a TV report on this in Houston about 6 months back. It just scratched the surface but they interviewed vets, they intervied two vets, one who took one side one who took the other. With the information available to them, if they continue to insist on the pets getting yearly shots, they are only in business for the money and it's time to change vets.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Thank you for the info!

[abner]

Thanks. Reagan is gorgeous! I always wanted a white cat like that.

But, if I must... Poor Fidget gets photographed so much. Here are two of her latest.

That is her ROTFL! pose.

Sorry, I just can't help myself...

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Cute kitties.

[Lizzy W]

Thanks, they're fine-whaled corduroy -- the PJs, that is. The cat is not corduroy ;)

[Cincinatus' Wife]

You've been a doting parent but enough!

[mewzilla]

I can understand a difference of opinion. What I can NOT understand is refusing to engage in full disclosure. Tell the owners about the problems and let them decide. With the exception of one vet, everyone else we know has had to raise the subject themselves. The vets have not volunteered the info.

[Wrigley]

FYI Bump

[abner]

Oh, alright. LOL!

[mewzilla]

Awwww to all the cat pics. Maybe Mr. Robinson should have a Cats Of FreeRepublic fundraising calender. (^..^)///

[Cincinatus' Wife]

With the exception of one vet, everyone else we know has had to raise the subject themselves. The vets have not volunteered the info.

Maybe a few freepers can e-mail this information to news outlets. That way, more pet owners will know to ask.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

WOW, I've been waiting to read this article for a decade or more.

Bump!