Q: I am 84 years old and live alone on an upper floor of a condo. My grandson gave me a kitten two years ago. I have never had a cat in my life, and to my amazement I have become attached to her. I had her spayed at 6 months, and she has been vaccinated for rabies, including a booster, and had all the required tests. She is never outside — except on my fourth-floor deck — which is not near any other decks. Please tell me what shots, if any, my cat must have. I cannot afford, nor do I think it necessary to do anymore.

—Mary Fulco

A: Mary, what a wonderful present from your grandson! Cats can make such wonderful companions and even those who may be skeptical at first are often quickly overcome by their charming personalities.

Based on the lifestyle you’ve described, it sounds like your kitty is certainly low risk for some of, if not most, of the diseases that we try to prevent through vaccination. For example, I don’t think the feline leukemia vaccination is necessary for your pet given that exposure would come from another infected cat. Similarly, the FVRCP vaccine offers protection against some highly contagious and potentially fatal viruses, and while your kitty is likely low risk for these, it’s definitely worth considering. In many cases the vaccine only has to be given every three years, making it reasonably affordable.

The rabies vaccine is another discussion altogether. While once again your kitty is low risk for rabies exposure, this is a vaccination that has statewide legal requirements. Given the severity of rabies — it is fatal — vaccination for rabies is something that you should definitely keep updated. Like the FVRCP vaccine, it can often be given every three years after the initial vaccination.

Q: My 13-14 year-old cat Gator is eating wet food well, however losing weight and sometimes throwing up. My cat is on medication for a thyroid condition.

—Dennis Howie

A: Dennis, I’m sorry to hear that your cat, Gator, seems to be losing weight yet eating well. Given that you said Gator has hyperthyroidism, my first recommendation would be to check his thyroid levels to make sure that the current dosage of the medication is effectively controlling his disease. Poorly controlled hyperthyroidism can result in the reoccurrence of vomiting and weight loss in the face of a good appetite.

I recommend checking thyroid values every 6-12 months for my patients that are being treated, sooner if their clinical signs (vomiting, weight loss) return. If you’ve had Gator’s thyroid bloodwork checked and things looked normal, other things to consider, especially in an aging kitty, include kidney disease, which can cause vomiting and weight loss, as well as a variety of gastrointestinal cancers.

I would definitely check in with Gator’s primary veterinarian and he or she can help start to tease out the root of Gator’s clinical signs.

Ask the Vet is a weekly series by Dr. Devon B. Smith, a Baltimore veterinarian who is an associate at Madonna Veterinary Clinic in White Hall. Send your pet questions or photos to vet@baltsun.com.