DeRp and I just want to say hello!

[WitchyWoman]

I was just passing along what we were advised, from the original owner (a veterinarian at the imaging center) that purchased DeRp as a kitten. His advice came along with a lot of other interesting information, like how Savannahs cannot be vaccinated for things that "normal" cats can. He seems to know a lot about Savannahs, so we've just taken his advice, as well as the miscellaneous informational tidbits from all the other vets, interns, and techs at the center. Everyone seemed to agree, so... we just go with that.

My advice is to find another vet because that dude doesn't have a clue. SVs can, and do, receive all the same vaccinations as other cats. We have a lot of accurate information here that you can read to educate yourself so that you're not victim to more misinformation about the animal you care for.

 

[DoriToez]

I can't say I feel like a "victim" here, but to each his own.

I appreciate the advice, and maybe you are right that the "dude" doesn't have a clue. However, for now I'm not afraid to trust a place where vets across the world send their patients' data, MRIs, CTs, ultrasounds, etc., to be analyzed. These vets and techs are really very well educated, passionate, and have administered excellent care to all of our cats over the years, as if they are their own.

I'll have to ask him about the vaccine(s) that they (breeder and vets) say Savannahs aren't supposed to get, since I don't remember. Something tells me it might be a "controversial" issue?

 

[WitchyWoman]

I can't say I feel like a "victim" here, but to each his own.

I appreciate the advice, and maybe you are right that the "dude" doesn't have a clue. However, for now I'm not afraid to trust a place where vets across the world send their patients' data, MRIs, CTs, ultrasounds, etc., to be analyzed. These vets and techs are really very well educated, passionate, and have administered excellent care to all of our cats over the years, as if they are their own.

I'll have to ask him about the vaccine(s) that they (breeder and vets) say Savannahs aren't supposed to get, since I don't remember. Something tells me it might be a "controversial" issue?

There's a world of difference between a specialty clinic that reads scans and a veterinarian who cares for animals throughout their lives. Not trying to be argumentative, just presenting the other side of the coin.

Don't know if you're familiar with the HSUS/BCR petitions presented in various states attempting to ban savannahs as house pets. They cite letters from veterinarians stating these cats are public health hazards, never use a litterbox, that their "wild" genes make them different from other domestic cats, and one quote that repeatedly occurs in all their petitions to ban is "they will eat your grandmother." So, with all of this stupid hype out there, we do tend to get a bit bristly when we hear anyone -- veterinarians, wildlife officials, whoever -- perpetuate myths about these cats. There are people who take the cited veterinarians word as gospel because they are allegedly educated but that is the biggest myth of all. They have an agenda and will spread whatever false information they find necessary to achieve that agenda which is ending breeding and ownership of companion animals in general and specifically Savannahs, Bengals, and Chausies.

 

[WitchyWoman]

Oh and the lightbulb just went off in my head -- is the vet perhaps referring to the difference in opinion regarding killed versus modified live vaccines? That's a different story altogether. The only other issue there could be with vaccines is whether to vaccinate for rabies if it isn't required where you live. There is no clinical evidence that the rabies vaccine protects against or doesn't protect against rabies in Savannahs. The only way to prove whether the vaccine is effective is by experimenting on live animals and then killing them for necropsy. Naturally, there aren't many breeders/owners who would consider doing that to their cat so until another way is found, we'll never really know whether rabies provides protection.

 

[DoriToez]

The vet we got him from is a Savannah lover and a great doc - and it is not just a "specialty clinic", but I'm not here to defend them, or their "sinister agendas" lol...

I appreciate how passionate you are, and was just hoping to enjoy the forum. Not sure it was a good idea to be honest about my cat's living conditions and veterinary care, so... lesson learned. This is not our first "exotic" cat, and won't be our last, and maybe venturing into a cat forum just isn't for me.

Anyway, it is a nice site. I'll just enjoy as a "spectator."

 

[Trish Allearz]

I can't say I feel like a "victim" here, but to each his own.

I appreciate the advice, and maybe you are right that the "dude" doesn't have a clue. However, for now I'm not afraid to trust a place where vets across the world send their patients' data, MRIs, CTs, ultrasounds, etc., to be analyzed. These vets and techs are really very well educated, passionate, and have administered excellent care to all of our cats over the years, as if they are their own.

I'll have to ask him about the vaccine(s) that they (breeder and vets) say Savannahs aren't supposed to get, since I don't remember. Something tells me it might be a "controversial" issue?

First, let me preface this by saying-- this site is ran by people who are actively involved in the breed. The admin are breeders/show people, the mods are mostly breeders, and many of the oldest members here are active in the breeding/show community. I don't even want to attempt to add up the number of years we have worked with (as a whole) this breed of cat, but we have an amazing depth of knowledge on this breed because hey-- we're the ones involved in shaping, molding and creating it as breeders.

You just dismissed WW and the others' advice like they are ignorant and that's insulting and a bit infuriating.

Just because your vet is a vet does not mean he knows anything about Savannahs and even if he knows about exotics-- Savannahs are NOT EXOTICS. They are domestic cats, with yes, an exotic heritage.

And frankly, for a VET to permit an unneutered male cat access to the outdoors-- well, I'm going to literally choose to bite my tongue on that one.

This site is a treasure trove of knowledge about this breed of cat. It is not exotic. It does (and should!) be vaccinated like any other cat-- and killed versus modified live is a hot topic in any breed of cat, btw-- so that doesn't matter. It should be an indoor cat-- and that doesn't matter the heritage either.

 

[admin]

No coyotes in this neighborhood, or he'd definitely be inside. I can totally see why a breeder might be upset that "her baby" is being allowed outside, but that's just how the cookies have crumbled. He needed a home, and here it is.

Would the breeder's info be in the TICA papers? I know he came with some info, but we are in the middle of a big house cleaning/reorganizing project, and I'm not sure exactly where they are. I guess we're supposed to send them in when he gets neutered.

We'll be moving soon, so if we end up where I'm hoping, he'll be indoors. Until then, the yard is part of his kingdom.

Yes his info should be in the TICA papers...it will be interesting to see who his breeder is...you can pm me if you want

 

[Hina]

DeRp is a handsome boy and it's good to know he chose you as his new family. BTW, DoriToez, people on the forum really love their Savannahs so all their concerns are really genuine. You wouldn't want your precious baby meeting an accident or being stolen when he's out on his unsupervised walks off the property. Also, you wouldn't want him falling sick just because of some missed vaccines.
I would suggest why don't you get a list of all his vaccines from the previous owner, maybe consult a new vet ( it wouldn't hurt to see another one) for a second opinion and make all decisions after researching - there's a wealth of information on this site and on the internet. We all love our babies and want to give them the best.

 

[Cathouse1]

Wow, that really escalated quickly!!! (Anchorman, lol)

What I know about the people on this site is that they are really passionate about their animals, Savannah cats in particular. This is a great group of people, don't mistake their passion for the breed as attitude or judgement toward you- there is a difference. We have all read WAY too many posts about lost cats that "never left the yard before", and I for one would hate to see it happen to someone else. What was said about the level of involvement in this breed by some members here is true, and opinions from those members are based on hands-on experience versus word of mouth or the infamous google search!

One thing I know for sure - there is a LOT of bad (I mean REAL bad) information floating around pertaining to Savannah cats, and apparently it's palatable even to educated and experienced people like veterinarians, mine included. Being misinformed about Savannahs doesn't make him a bad vet, but I know where the Savannah "specialists" are, right here. Before you dismiss the feedback from others here, just know that most of the rumors and urban legends about Savannah's can be disproven if you spend some time reading the forms here. I know how easy it can be to believe some of it.

My .02, carry on..........

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

Just like human doctors, not all vets are equal...there are good and bad and in terms of being a reputable source of information about a given cat breed, unless that vet is a long-time breeder and/or cat judge (and those do exist) they are not an expert. Their expertise is health of animals, many species, hence mostly their knowledge is fairly general too. That's why we have specialist vets. Vet schools don't give breed identification training, nor education on the differences between different cat breeds.

To think that a vet advocates such late neuter on a cat allowed outdoors seems very irresponsible to me. The knowledge that a domestic cat can reach sexual maturity far younger than a year old and to think how many unplanned litters might be attributed to a cat roaming unneutered... this is a major cause of the kittens that end up in shelters! Boggles my mind that anyone with any common sense would think this a good idea.

Add to that the research that has shown that an indoor only cat lives over three times longer than an indoor/outdoor cat... it just seems to me that the advice you have been given by this vet is disappointing and not in your cat's best interest :-(

Health care of Savannahs should be NO different from any other domestic cat breed. There is always disagreement on what anesthetics are safer, what vaccines are better...but those arguments span the breeds and are not specific to Savannahs. And shouldn't be, the Savannah is a domestic cat breed.

Yes, if he came with paperwork that mentions TICA likely it would also mention the breeder of the cat. If you post a pic/scan of that paperwork we might be able to help you identify the breeder.