Cats can react badly to vaccines, which is an unavoidable side effect of the process. What You Need to Know About Rabies Vaccines for Cats. Your cat may need extra shots depending on how much time they spendoutside, how often they arearound other cats, and the diseases that are common in your area. Which shots they need. Affected cats can be treated successfully with appropriate antibiotics, but vaccination may be helpful in some circumstances as part of a control programme in an infected household, For further information onChlamydophila felis, seeChlamydophila felisinfection in cats. In more severe cases, your cat may require intravenous fluids and further observation. The initial vaccine course is often started at 8-9 weeks of age, with a second injection 3-4 weeks later. Recent vaccinationCats may be lethargic for a day or two as their immune system responds to vaccination. side effects associated with cat vaccination. It is common for pets to experience some or all of the following mild side effects after receiving a vaccine, usually starting within hours of the vaccination. There are some clinics that will vaccinate your cat for free. However, as with any other product, no vaccine can ever be entirely without side effects so it is important to carefully choose which vaccines are necessary for any individual cat and to evaluate how frequently they should be given. All vaccines have the potential to cause side effects in cats. Vaccines are medication and like other medical treatments, have their own potential adverse effects. Adverse effects from vaccines are very rare, especially in view of the millions of doses that are administered every year. They divide cat vaccines into two categories: Core vaccines are those recommended for all cats, no matter where they live or under what conditions. He did not know what was wrong. Fever, lethargy, reduced appetite, and swelling are all common. There is always risk involved in vaccinating a cat. The factors that your veterinarian will consider to determine yourcats vaccination scheduleinclude: Discuss your cats lifestyle and risk factors with your veterinarian to determine an optimal, individualized vaccination protocol. Treatment for lethargy in cats is directed at finding and resolving the underlying cause. When used appropriately and as recommended they are both safe and provide crucial protection for cats against a number of diseases. Recently, my kitten (2 months old) had her first installment of vaccinations. The side effect that has received the most attention in recent years is fibrosarcoma this is a type of malignant tumour that can develop at the site of vaccination. Her eyes have a hazy cloudy look and she is still stumbling around, however, her strength and will to keep her balance has greatly improved. In some cases, affected kittens may develop pneumonia. This happens because the immune response generated by a vaccine can make cats feel tired, achy, and generally unwell. Affected cats typically show sneezing, nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, eye discharge, and mouth ulcers. WebAffected cats may have sneezing, eye and nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, lethargy, loss of appetite, sores on the gums and soft tissues of the oral cavity, and lameness. Technically, lethargy in cats is never normal, but it is sometimes expected. In recent years, the risk of Feline Injection Site Sarcoma (FISS) has become more of a concern. Adult cats need shots less often, usually every year or every 3 years, depending on how long a vaccine is designed to last. Rare vaccine side effects In very rare circumstances, a vaccine can cause a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). The vet will also think about how long vaccines are supposed to last and how likely your cat might be to come into contact with a certain disease. Vaccines are medication and like other medical treatments, have their own potential adverse effects. Seefeline herpes virusandfeline calicivirus. In the early stages the affected cat may suffer from lethargy and pain in the affected area. In short, almost any health condition can lead to lethargy in cats, including: InfectionsFighting off bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens takes a lot of energy. Some data suggest that adult animals may maintain immunity for 5-7 years after their initial vaccinations as young animals, suggesting that the annual revaccination veterinarians had recommended for years is not necessary. WebAfter a vaccine, around one-in-ten cats experience a soft swelling at the injection site. Vaccines are medication and like other medical treatments, have their own potential adverse effects. There are some risks and side effects associated with cat vaccination. This should go away on its own in 2-3 days as the symptoms ease. Limping syndrome in cats is a temporary problem. Many cats are fortunate to go into a regressive state and appear perfectly healthy throughout their lives, but some do not fare as well. If your cat refuses to eat after getting a shot, you should not worry about it. WebAffected cats may have sneezing, eye and nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, lethargy, loss of appetite, sores on the gums and soft tissues of the oral cavity, and lameness. If your cat has little energy or limping syndrome, the walk can feel like a long journey, especially for an older cat with joint problems or arthritis pain. Basic lab work will often be needed as well. FeLV is found worldwide. Contact your veterinarian if you have a lethargic kitten. He told us she had a screw loose and that she had a shot knot. If your elderly cat has a chronic illness, then you should avoid vaccination. If your cat gets outside, you want to make sure they areprotected. Although todays veterinarians are working hard to make a pets experience at a clinic less stressful, a visit to the clinic can still be scary for your cat, with all the unfamiliar faces, objects, and scents that he will encounter inside. In the vast majority of cases, your cat will feel fine and you wont notice any change in their behavior. You can also use a towel to extract the scent of the other cats and then rub that towel on the cat that visited the vet. After your cat gets his first shot, hell need a few more doses usually two to four weeks apart until hes 16 to 20 weeks old. The Veterinary Leadership Conference draws veterinarians from across the U.S. for education sessions that help develop leaders for the veterinary profession. WebMany pet owners and some animal scientists believe that we are over vaccinating our pets. The FeLV vaccine protects against feline leukemia virus, which is a fatal disease in cats. She started to get more aggressive. You should always discuss with your vet what vaccines your own cat may require. A cat can have an allergic reaction to a vaccination. WebAfter a vaccine, around one-in-ten cats experience a soft swelling at the injection site. Cats withBordetella bronchispeticacan be treated effectively with appropriate antibiotics, and vaccination is not required in most cats. Heart diseaseA heart that isnt pumping normally cant move blood around the body well. It sounds like your cat is having some neurologic symptoms that are very abnormal. As vaccinations are injected into a cats leg, some limited mobility is to be expected. For example, cats that have just been vaccinated are often lethargic. Some cats may also have trouble walking and experience stomach upsets. The initial vaccination series consists of two doses spaced three to four weeks apart, followed by revaccination one year later for all adult cats. This was due to the flexibility of the skin in this area. Keep in mind that vaccines dont offer total immunity from diseases. WebAffected cats may have sneezing, eye and nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, lethargy, loss of appetite, sores on the gums and soft tissues of the oral cavity, and lameness. They protect against: The feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia vaccinations often come in a combination shot (FVRCP), which is sometimes called the distemper shot.. Anyone who cares for his or her cat will want to protect it in this way and vaccination is a critical part of a proper preventive healthcare programme. Most vets will highly recommend the FVRCP and rabies vaccines. After vaccination, it is normal for your pet to exhibit a few symptoms like fever, lameness, swelling, and redness in the injection site, appetite loss, and even lethargy and general malaise. He told us she had a screw loose and that she had a shot knot. It should start to disappear within a couple weeks. In this stage, a rabid cat will usually exhibit changes in behavior that aren't typical for their personality: A shy cat can become Before going to the vet, it is a good idea to prepare a warm and cozy place for your cat. All rights reserved. The Cat Gallery has partnered with International Cat Care to host the charitys online shop and manage the distribution of shop bought goods to customers. Infection with FeLV is not an automatic death sentence. Many factors affect the likelihood of a cat developing an infectious disease. Some cats may also have trouble walking and experience stomach upsets. Kittens may also acquire infections from the queen before birth. The core vaccines are considered essential for all cats (including indoor-only cats) because of the widespread and/or severe nature of the diseases being protected against. Vaccination is very effective in preventing disease. As cats age, they often spend more time quietly observing the world around them (or napping), but this isnt lethargy; its growing up. After an incubation stage, clinical signs of aggression, disorientation, and death rapidly progress. The disease can negatively impact your cats immune system or cause anemia or cancer. That can upset your cats stomach. Sneezing, mild coughing, "snotty nose" or other respiratory signs may occur 2-5 days after your pet receives an intranasal vaccine. Liver and kidney diseaseWaste products build up when these organs fail, which disrupts normal chemical processes and makes cats feel terrible. A cats body will go through an adjustment after a vaccine is administered. Feline herpesvirus, also known asfeline rhinotracheitis virus, causes severe signs of upper respiratory infection. Signs that your cat is allergic to the vaccination include: These reactions will be treated with steroids or antihistamines to reduce the impact of the allergy. This normally lasts for around 48 hours. After coming home, your cats may seem like total strangers. The shots come in a series every 3 to 4 weeks. Your cat may also need to undergo radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Fearful cats will often display anxiety or even aggression even before the trip to the vet. I'm a proud owner of 5 adult cats (all adopted strays), including a senior cat who is now 20. This is partly because, should a fibrosarcoma develop at these sites, limb amputation is possible and offers a better chance of complete removal than trying to remove an invasive tumour from the neck region. Since then we noticed her behavior changed. However, vaccination is essential for his health and your familys safety. In this stage, a rabid cat will usually exhibit changes in behavior that aren't typical for their personality: A shy cat can become Feline leukemia: This serious viral infection spreads through many bodily fluids like saliva, feces, urine, and milk.The vaccine is recommended inkittens and then 12 months later. 1. A vet will offeressential vaccinations for your cat. Cat booster shots Cat Behavior After Vaccination A Complete Guide. It is common for cats to experience mild reactions like lethargy, slight fever, localized swelling and reduced appetite in a few hours after getting the shot. Start your day with heartwarming and hilarious animal stories that will make you fall in love. In most cases, the risks posed by vaccination are outweighed by the safety that vaccines provide. The vaccine wont prevent the disease, but it will keep your kitty from getting very sick from it. When to give vaccines. After your cat gets his first shot, hell need a few more doses usually two to four weeks apart until hes 16 to 20 weeks old. Clinical signs vary from mild to extremely severe, and occasionally other complications may develop including viral pneumonia. Can you give me any feedback on your impressions and how I need to proceed with continued love and care for my little one? Some data suggest that adult animals may maintain immunity for 5-7 years after their initial vaccinations as young animals, suggesting that the annual revaccination veterinarians had recommended for years is not necessary. Neurologic disordersDisease or injury affecting the neurologic system, especially the brain, can lead to lethargy in cats. Cats that stay at a boarding cattery will generally require an annual vaccination (or booster vaccine before the cat goes into the cattery) as this is a higher risk situation. In the early stages the affected cat may suffer from lethargy and pain in the affected area. Also, she wants to clean herself and tries to play like she used to. However, these adverse effects should subside after 24 to 48 hours. All our advice is freely accessible to everyone, wherever you are in the world. When it comes to medicine, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. When a cat is bitten by another cat, an infection is likely to develop. 2022 MyCuteAnimals. Cornell Feline Health Center: Feline Vaccines: Benefits and Risks., American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: Vaccinations for Your Pet., American Humane: Vaccinating Your Pet.. If you present your cat to a vet with FISS, surgery will be required to remove the tumor. This will give the other cats something familiar to smell in the recently vaccinated pet. Vaccines are medication and like other medical treatments, have their own potential adverse effects. Others will continue showing fear and anxiety after coming home. You can try feeding the cat to see if it helps. In some cases, affected kittens may develop pneumonia. If you see your cat shivering after vaccination, it can be from the pain or swelling at the injection site. Young kittens in multicat households (eg, breeding households) are most likely to be affected and there may also be mild upper respiratory signs. It usually depends on theirage, overall health, and lifestyle. After an incubation stage, clinical signs of aggression, disorientation, and death rapidly progress. Fever, lethargy, reduced appetite, and swelling are all common. This is a temporary lump that goes away after a couple of weeks and nothing to worry about. Every week we publish insightful pet articles to educate, inspire, and make your life easier. All kittens should receive their core vaccinations and any others that are agreed between you and your vet. It is possible to perform blood tests to identify cats that are infected with this virus, and isolating such cats and preventing them from coming into contact with others is one way of preventing infection. Cat Behavior After Vaccination A Complete Guide. Some cats may also have trouble walking and experience stomach upsets. We took her to our vet. Sneezing, mild coughing, "snotty nose" or other respiratory signs may occur 2-5 days after your pet receives an intranasal vaccine. All vaccines have the potential to cause side effects in cats. This, in turn, will allow cancerous cells to spread. Lethargic and Not Eating / DrinkingLike lethargy, not eating or drinking well are nonspecific clinical signs that are seen with many cat diseases. iCatCare may receive a commission or share in the net profit of some purchases made through the affiliate links. American Association of Feline Practitioners, Feline rhinotracheitis virus/herpesvirus 1 (FVR/FHV-1), How likely they are to be exposed to a pathogen, FVRCP (core; only if first shot given at 10-12 weeks), FeLV (core; only if first shot given at 10-12 weeks), FVRCP (every 3 years for indoor cats, and every year for indoor/outdoor, outdoor-only, very young, or senior cats), Rabies (1-year or 3-year vaccine depending on state laws). Rabies is endemic worldwide, and the vaccine is recommended for all pet cats. Since then we noticed her behavior changed. Some cats are temporarily different or never quite the same after vaccination. The lungs and other internal organs will soon be affected. Do they seem drowsy or out of it? Are they not interested in whats going on around them? Did they do routine blood work including a complete blood count, diagnostic profile, feline leukemia and feline aids tests? These diseases are highly infectious and seen worldwide. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)vaccination is available in some, but not all counties. If you let your cat go outdoors, you should probably consider giving him non-core vaccines, since you have no idea what he could be exposed to outside. Because of this, after your cat receives any vaccine, it is sensible to monitor the injection site regularly and if a swelling at the site persists for several weeks and/or continues to enlarge, get it checked immediately by your vet. A small, firm swelling under the skin may develop at the site of a recent vaccination. She stayed there and then was released. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. These dangers alone are not enough to avoid getting feline vaccinations, though. WebYou may notice your cat has a temporary loss of appetite or is less lively a day or two after a vaccination, but this should resolve within 24-48 hours. Any cat that has not eaten for 24 hours is a cause for concern. Some that may be available include: Vaccination is generally a very safe procedure that has substantially reduced the impact of several very serious diseases. Documented reactions in these cases include behavioral aggression and separation anxiety; destruction and shredding of clothing and bedding; obsessive behavior such as barking, fearfulness, self-mutilation, tail chewing; pica (eating wood, stones, earth, and feces); seizures and epilepsy; fibrosarcomas at the injection site; and autoimmune I didnt feel that I had enough evidence of rabies and that it could also have been some other possible diseases but significant testing would have to be done which would end up costing us over $5,000.00. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Feline viral rhinotracheitis (aka feline herpes virus): a disease that affects your cats upper respiratory system and sometimes his eyes, Feline calicivirus: a disease that causes respiratory infections and oral diseases, Feline panleukopenia virus: a disease that dangerously lowers your cats white blood cell count. A number of FeLV vaccines are also available and are effective in protecting cats. Brown Pigment In White of Dog's Eye Can Pigmentary Keratitis Cause Blindness? FCV is thought to be associated with chronicgingivitis/stomatitis, a very painful inflammation of the gums and teeth. This is because the immune system has started reacting to the vaccine. Very few cats may be allergic to one or more components of the vaccine and have more serious side effects such as difficulty in breathing, vomiting, or diarrhea. She started to get more aggressive. Transmitted through body fluids including saliva, urine, and feces, FeLV is spread when an infected cat comes into close contact with another cat that they groom or share bowls with. Cat vaccination recommendations are among the most contentious debates in veterinary medicine. For further information on FIV, seeFeline immunodeficiency virus. Get the latest updates on your choice of veterinary topics delivered straight to your inbox. They tend to be either fully onrunning around like maniacsor fully offresting up for another round. WebCan your cats personality change after a vaccination? While cats are not natural carriers for the disease, they can be infected by a bite from any infected mammal and then pass it on to others. These effects should subside in a few hours or days. Talk to your veterinarian if your cats lethargy worsens or fails to improve in a day or two. We took her to our vet. Click Yes to help us continue to make these improvements. This behavior can last for about a day and your pet should start eating in few hours. Vaccination against this virus is highly effective and has a critical role in protecting cats against infection, especially as the virus is highly contagious. Lethargic and VomitingVomiting is seen with problems directly affecting the digestive tract (inflammatory bowel disease, for example) and metabolic diseases like diabetes or kidney failure. Some of the more virulent strains cause hair loss and crusting on other parts of the body, as well as hepatitis and even death. Whether you have a kitten or an adult cat, your vet can help you figure out which vaccines are best and how often your kitty should get shots. Because fibrosarcomas can be very difficult to completely remove by surgery, it has been recommended by groups in the USA that rabies vaccines are given in the right hind leg, FeLV vaccines in the left hind leg and FHV-1/FCV vaccines in the right front leg. American Association of Feline Practitioners. If youre up too late, youll be tired the next day but will feel fine once you get some extra sleep. He told us she had a screw loose and that she had a shot knot. Rabies is endemic worldwide, and the vaccine is recommended for all pet cats. WebThe vaccine protocols that are being questioned are those for the core vaccines administered to adult dogs and cats. Their guidelines, published by theAmerican Association of Feline Practitioners, are among the most trusted and utilized recommendations in the field. Lethargy After vaccination, it is normal for your pet to exhibit a few symptoms like fever, lameness, swelling, and 2. WebThe vaccine protocols that are being questioned are those for the core vaccines administered to adult dogs and cats. While most cats behave normally after vaccination, it is common Its easy to be overwhelmed when you hear conflicting information about whether your cat needs them and the adverse effects they may have. This is because the cat that came from the vet smells differently that the other cat can no longer recognize the first cats scent. (The exact requirements will depend on the vaccine, so always make sure to walk through your kittens vaccine schedule with your vet.) Cat Diseases: What Is Bobcat Fever and Why Is It Deadly to Cats? Many illnesses will also make a cat lethargic, so its quite likely that a sick or recently vaccinated cat will be lethargic. This is a cancerous tumor that develops following inflammation around the site of the injection. It should start to disappear within a couple weeks. What Are the Most Common Side Effects of Cat Vaccinations? All rights reserved. Dr. Debra, Recently, my kitten (2 months old) had her first installment of vaccinations. WebDecreased appetite and activity. Although vaccination does not always prevent infection with these viruses, it will help greatly in reducing the severity of disease if a vaccinated cat does become infected. Keep track of product alerts for pet foods, animal feed, and products used by veterinarians or animal owners. Black Spots, Gunk & Blackheads On Dog Nipples: What Do They Mean?? Dr. Debra, Recently, my kitten (2 months old) had her first installment of vaccinations. A small, firm swelling under the skin may develop at the site of a recent vaccination. Also, many local and state governments have laws about vaccines like rabies. Id encourage her to eat hand feed her, give her some smelling food, whatever it takes to get her to eat. Such reactions can occur almost every time the cat gets a shot.

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