Check out some similar questions!

brokeburns1 · Oct 2, 2011, 02:49 PM

How often should I get my cat a exam and what should I include-bloodwook? And what else?
She is 5 years old and what yearly shots?
Thank you!

sewslikethewind · Oct 2, 2011, 02:57 PM

Please make an appointment for your precious kitty first thing tomorrow! Your cat should be seen by a vet once a year. What shots your kitty gets depends on if he/she goes out doors and is around other cats. Please do not wait! If money is an issue your town will provide low-cost vaccines for rabies. Cats must have rabies vaccines too, just like dogs.

Sariss · Oct 2, 2011, 03:07 PM

Once a year is best. What vaccines she needs depends on what she has had in the past, and her living situation (outdoors, etc).
If you've never had bloodwork done before, you could do it this year. It's a good idea to have a baseline of normals if anything ever comes up.

brokeburns1 · Oct 2, 2011, 03:40 PM

She being seen once a year just making sure that is enough she is also indoors. And she gets rabies,year shot and a feline one for diseases.

paleophlatus · Oct 3, 2011, 08:04 PM

There have been changes in recommended vaccination protocol by the professional veterinary organizations, as well as numerous veterinarians. It has been shown that annual vaccinations (except if mandated by law, as rabies may be) contribute to problems such as immunity 'diseases', and may be unnecessary after the animal reaches 2 years of age. Here is a link to an authoritative veterinary site discussing the vaccine controversy

http://www.doglogic.com/vaccination.htm

Some vets follow the recommendations, and others are reluctant to fore go the annual shots.

Owners are the best protectors of their pet's health. Watch for changes in the pet's activities, weight, eating habits, elimination problems, etc. Essentially, if your pet was, instead, your actual child, you would take it to the vet for similar concerns you may have about your child. Your pet won't complain as a child may, but most owners can pick up on a pet's discomfort.

paleophlatus · Oct 3, 2011, 08:19 PM

Cats fall into the same basic revised philosophy about vaccinations. Here is an in depth list of all dog and cat vaccines

http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/vmth/small_animal/internal_medicine/vaccination_protocols.cfm

Concentrate on "core" vaccines, like rabies, distemper, parvo for Dogs, and
Core vaccines like rabies, panleukopenia, (distemper), rhinotracheitis, and calicivirus for Cats.

There are many other vaccines (non-core) available for both dogs and cats, none of which are considered important enough to be included annually, except in some local exceptions, or are just plain ineffective. They do increase the cost of a visit... you must decide if they are worth it or not.

Some advocates of the new policy will caution you to be wary of the motivation of vets who may be too strongly advocating vaccines in the non-core category.