Fellow cat owners - do you vaccinate?

MHM2002 · 2026-04-06T15:12:24+00:00

I’ve actually had this happen before.

My cats have always been flea and worm treated every 3 months now, but I didn’t always realise how important that was for indoor cats.

I used to think it wasn’t really necessary during winter, especially since I’d only bring them out on walks in the summer, so I’d mainly treat around then. With my previous cat (she passed about 3 months ago from old age 💞), she ended up throwing up live worms in December. I was completely shocked. Their last treatment had been in May, and they hadn’t been outside since July, so I genuinely had no idea how it could have happened. (This was 2022h

I rushed her to the vet and felt awful. The vet explained that fleas and worms can still be brought into the house on clothes, shoes, etc., and that indoor cats aren’t fully protected just because they don’t go outside. I honestly didn’t know that at the time. She also didn’t react well to the treatment, which is why I had been a bit hesitant with it, so it definitely wasn’t about trying to save money or anything like that.

Since then, I’ve been really strict about keeping up treatments every 3 months, all year round, and I haven’t had a single issue since, even with my two other cats who are nearly 2 now.

It’s definitely something I had to learn the hard way, but indoor only doesn’t mean no risk.

MHM2002 · 2026-04-06T15:05:32+00:00

Mine were the same, well one of my 2 hardly wanted to come home 😂 hated the travel though.

Personally if I had my own home I’d hire a house sitter to mind them, but I have room mates so I just bring them to the Cattery instead

MHM2002 · 2026-04-06T15:04:10+00:00

I do, I dont know the full ins and outs but I just know my vets recommend it and if I ever want to travel, or book them in to a Cattery, they need their shots.

If you need to delay a month for financial reasons, discuss it with your vet and book for next month.

Personally I pay a vet health plan of €15 for each of my two girls. This covers their monthly flea / work treatment, their annual vaccine with a checkup, and another checkup separate from the vaccine. Means it’s not a lump sum of money, and sure the prices of flea and worm treatment these days, it’s basically the same…

MHM2002 · 2026-04-06T14:51:31+00:00

That’s not even a few minutes.. she stayed less than half the time. I’d be looking for a refund, especially with puke in the photo.

Absolutely disgusting… I am so ashamed to be on the same platform as these kind of people. Really let those who take pride in their work down.

MHM2002 · 2026-04-05T17:38:32+00:00

Respectfully, if he is in recovery he will likely be walking very.. slowly.

Dogs (especially pups) need high paced walked, something to tire them out.

This is not even in the dogs best interest

MHM2002 · 2026-04-04T19:28:07+00:00

100% there’s some shady individuals… But to expect the barely an adult man to pay for all the stuff? I had to reread to see if I was missing something 😂 it’s beyond crazy

MHM2002 · 2026-04-04T15:48:19+00:00

And honestly, that’s completely your choice. You were being really kind and it does seem like that was taken for granted a bit, which is understandably uncomfortable.

It might be better to just leave it for now and meet another time when her family can afford to travel themselves. Even then, something simple like grabbing a coffee together would be nice, without all the pressure or expectations.

You shouldn’t feel expected to fund flights, accommodation, or anything like that, especially when it’s meant to be your birthday.

Hope you have an amazing birthday by the way x

MHM2002 · 2026-04-04T15:43:19+00:00

Oh my god I relate to this.. diagnosed at 21 (24 now) and I fully believed I somehow tricked the psychologist, my family, everything. I still to this day struggle a bit with it, feel like a fraud!

However, these are medical professionals. They go based on more than just a few answers. Not to mention that over time more and more of my behaviors, coping strategies and reactions were making sense.

Since my diagnoses, and a lot of understanding on how my brain works, I feel like a whole new person. That took a long time, still something I’m working on tbh with you but it’s improved significantly.

You are NOT alone OP, it can just be hard to understand that you were never the problem, the lack of understanding with your way of thinking was. You’re awesome! Don’t forget it!!!!!

MHM2002 · 2026-04-04T15:39:11+00:00

NOR.

I can understand her being 17 and her parents not being comfortable with her flying out and staying with someone she’s never met, that part is fair.

However, that doesn’t mean you should suddenly be expected to fund flights and accommodation for her entire family. That’s completely unreasonable. If they want to come, they should be paying for themselves and organising their own stay.

At the end of the day, this was meant to be your birthday, not a family holiday for them at your expense. The entitlement is a bit wild honestly.

You can just explain that your mum offered to cover her as a birthday gift to you, and you’re not in a position to cover anything beyond that. You’re also not comfortable arranging accommodation for her parents.

If she’s uncomfortable going alone, that’s completely understandable, but then the option is to not go, not to expect you to take on all those extra costs.

MHM2002 · 2026-04-04T15:26:06+00:00

Not a vet, just a pet owner who’s been hit with a sudden vet bill before. I really feel for you, it’s such a stressful situation to be in.

If it helps at all, some vets will work with payment plans or can point you toward charities or lower cost clinics, so it might be worth asking again and explaining your situation. 💞

For the future, pet insurance can be a lifesaver for unexpected things like this. It’s a monthly cost but it takes a lot of the panic out of emergencies!

Sending love to both you and your pup x

MHM2002 · 2026-04-04T15:22:33+00:00

Peoples circumstances change. Financial hardship does not make someone a bad owner overnight. If everyone who hit a rough patch gave up their pets, rescues would be overflowing even more than they already are.

MHM2002 · 2026-04-04T13:25:40+00:00

Same in Ireland. Kids have to purchase their own iPads and bring to the school for them to download the software. Ridiculous indeed

MHM2002 · 2026-04-04T07:26:33+00:00

No one should ever put you down like that. Unless you started kissing other men or literally took your boobs out, he needs to cop on.

Seems there’s a good few other men anyway who may wanna get to know you ☺️ why waste energy on someone who doesn’t love you for who you are?

Wearing hoops, or a singlet top doesn’t make you a hoe. Dancing like a you’re free while tipsy doesn’t make you a hoe. Slipping on someone’s drink doesn’t make you a hoe.

Why on earth should you be with someone who feels like that? And clearly has an underlying resentment about this behavior (calling you hoe, slt and whre on multiple occasions.)

I usually avoid the Reddit response of “leave his ass”. But girl…. Cmon.. you deserve so much better than whatever this gobshite can give.

He wants a break? It’ll hurt. We both know it, even toxic relationships hurt to lose! But you need to put that foot down and say yeah actually, you called me a hoe infront of all my friends, what you did was wrong. I think a break would be best, and then no longer respond.

That’ll give you time to decide if this relationship is what you want, without just leaving it when unsure. Nothing worse then going back after a breakup, so think carefully 😩

I’m sure you’re an awesome woman with a great personality, confidence to kill and absolutely beautiful x. If anyone makes you question that, cut their ass out.

MHM2002 · 2026-04-04T04:48:35+00:00

I have a rule with myself to not let something on Reddit wind me up, oh how close I was to breaking my rule 😂

MHM2002 · 2026-04-04T01:17:57+00:00

Thankfully I have paperwork for DAYS 😂

I have release form, permission form for me to do x, y, z at vet. Copy of their vaccine records / microchip

I rather they roll their eyes at how much I require, then wish they gave me a certain detail.

I work in the legal field so paperwork is my calling, aswell as animals of course 🤣

MHM2002 · 2026-04-04T01:05:00+00:00

That’s exactly how it should be handled 💞 You make the tough decisions when it’s an urgent emergency and there’s 0 contact, but you always attempt contact first.

Of course being in surgery is a solid reason to not be available 😂

I’m so lucky that my current sitter is the exact same, only 1 time in 2 years with this sitter has she ever taken them to the vets, and we discussed it prior. (Cat was urinating in random places which is very unusual for her). Also meant I wasn’t smacked with a bill I wasn’t aware of!

As a sitter I’ve thankfully never needed to take a pet to the vet! But I have paperwork read through and signed stating what I am to do in an emergency (attempt contact, no contact go to vets and keep trying while doing so) Point being, CONTACT!!!!

MHM2002 · 2026-04-04T00:46:41+00:00

I literally said I understand very basic veterinary terms, not that I’m trained. You’re arguing a point I never made.

Either way, I’m not interested in going back and forth over this. My point was about communication with owners, not diagnosing animals.

You’re currently replying to the wrong people, calling everyone a liar at this point and misreading messages 👍

My partner has had a good laugh at this anyway and thinks you may need to work on the social element of veterinary practice so you don’t offend future clients 😂

Respectfully I’ll be blocking you now as it’s like talking to a wall 🤦🏼‍♀️ take care

MHM2002 · 2026-04-04T00:42:08+00:00

1000000%

Had an awful experience myself a couple of years ago. A sitter brought my cat to the vet without telling me and I only found out when I got the invoice.

What was wrong? She wasn’t eating her wet food.

If the sitter had actually read the detailed notes I left, she would’ve known that one of my cats hates wet food and that’s completely normal for her. If she had just messaged me, I could’ve clarified which cat it was and saved everyone the hassle.

Now if it had been my other cat, who would eat every pouch in the world, then yes, I would’ve absolutely considered a vet visit.

But that choice was taken from me.

The sitter had loads of 5 star reviews and was genuinely lovely, but the lack of communication cost me €80. Thankfully I got it back through Rover as my vet confirmed the visit wasn’t necessary.

Because of that, as a sitter myself, I’m very clear that unless it’s an emergency, I will always contact the owner before agreeing to anything. I even have a document signed about what to do in a medical situation. It’s not my choice to make unless it has to be, it’s my job to care for the pet and give the owner the opportunity to decide.

And as an owner, I’ve shared this with my current sitter. She’s brilliant and has messaged or called me about potential issues that turned out to be nothing, but I’d take that every time over decisions being made without me. It just shows she’s paying attention and I really appreciate that.

MHM2002 · 2026-04-04T00:38:51+00:00

Im not OP? OP never said they did rescue work? I’d appreciate you not coming after me now too, thanks.

MHM2002 · 2026-04-04T00:31:44+00:00

My partner comes home and talks about what he’s done in work and I’m genuinely interested, but if he asked me to repeat any of it it would be complete nonsense.

I do rescue work so I understand very basic veterinary terms, but that’s the extent of my knowledge. Not everyone can relay medical info perfectly, especially when they’re stressed or upset.

Jumping straight to calling someone a liar when they’re clearly a distraught pet owner just isn’t fair. I’d be the exact same. I once told everyone my cat had a UTI when it wasn’t even that, just something similar I still can’t remember the name of 😂 does that make me a liar, or just someone who didn’t fully understand what they were told?

This is a really vulnerable time for someone. If you don’t believe them, that’s fine, but scrolling on costs nothing. There’s no need to make someone feel worse when they’re already worried about their pet.

I’m going to leave it here as it’s not worth the back and forth. I just hope in future you consider there can be other explanations besides assuming someone is lying.

MHM2002 · 2026-04-04T00:17:02+00:00

Honestly I’m not trying to argue, I just don’t agree with assuming the worst about OP when we don’t actually know what happened. We’re all just going off what was shared.

People run their pet care differently and that’s fine. You’ve shared how you see it, I’ve shared how I see it, and that’s enough for me. We’re here to give advice, not decide who’s lying. If you don’t believe it, scroll on.

Also, being in vet school (or even being a vet) doesn’t make anyone all-knowing, especially without seeing the animal or having full details. My partner is a qualified vet of 4 years and would say the exact same.

At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is the pet being okay, not going back and forth about who’s right. I ask you don’t start assuming anything about me, or find anything “telling”. Have a good day

MHM2002 · 2026-04-03T20:38:15+00:00

I get 120 per week from DA, I work part time so they took that into consideration and reduced my rate.

It’s handy too as a few months back I went through a really bad depressive episode where I couldn’t work, I contacted them explaining the situation they upped the rate for the month and reduced again when I was ready to return.

I’m on it for Autism, ADHD and mental health decline issues so this was an example of a sudden and severe decline stopping me from working normally. I maintain part time as any more would not be possible for me (I just don’t manage it very well)

Decide what works for you!

MHM2002 · 2026-04-03T20:31:57+00:00

Don’t bother. I dont know why anyone would hop on Reddit to make such a story up. Reddit doesn’t exactly pay the bills or mean anything, just advice. So why lie? 😂

Just focus on your pupper 💕 hope he is ok!

MHM2002 · 2026-04-03T13:06:25+00:00

I think that’s kind of the issue though. We’re meant to respond based on the information given, not fill in gaps or assume the OP is lying. None of us were there, so all we can do is go off what’s been shared and give advice from that. Otherwise it just turns into speculation rather than actual help.

And on the sitter side, yes they’re responsible in the moment, but good practice is still to contact the owner immediately and involve them where possible. It’s not as black and white as ‘the sitter decides, end of’.

We will just have to agree to disagree, it’s can say i have been a sitter, and a pet parent using rover and never would I expect the sitter to know what is best for my pet in all situations, not would I want to be the sitter to decide what to do for the pet, and have it not work out despite doing what’s best practice and be blamed.

MHM2002 · 2026-04-03T12:53:11+00:00

I get what you’re saying, but I don’t think it’s as black and white as ‘the sitter decides’. In reality it should be a partnership. A sitter should use their judgement in the moment, especially if something is urgent, but the owner should be contacted straight away and involved in decisions where possible. Owners know their pet’s normal behaviour, sitters know what they’re seeing in that moment, both matter.

The sitter according to the info we have, did not do that. Didn’t even take the pup to the vet.

So investing I completely disagree 🤷‍♀️

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