I've had many cats in my life. Some went to the vet but most didn't unless they were sick. I don't think taking an animal to the vet was as routine back in the 70s - 90s. We only took most for spay/neuter or sick. The cat I had on my own and the longest almost died from the rabies shot. She was a few months old and was acting weird. She didn't know us and was was hissing in a defensive way. She stayed in the hospital about three nights. After that I didn't do more shots. It was probably a rare occurrence but will never know. Good luck