From time to time, check on your cat. Non-core vaccines are only given to cats if there is a genuine risk of exposure to the infection and if vaccination would provide good protection. For further information on FeLV, seeFeline leukaemia virus. In some cases, affected kittens may develop pneumonia. Youll need to make an informed decision about whether to vaccinate your cat based on the available medical evidence. When it comes to medicine, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Affected cats typically show sneezing, nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, eye discharge, and mouth ulcers. Typically, these symptoms, including lethargy and lack of appetite, vanish after two to three days. We took her to our vet. As a cat receives a shot, its immune system responds to the antibodies, causing it to look sick and uneasy. If the sarcoma that is caused by vaccination is not treated, it will continue to grow. In the vast majority of cases, your cat will feel fine and you wont notice any change in their behavior. If the cat has not eaten for over a day or it has other symptoms like fever or pain, you should consult the vet to see what is wrong. The FeLV vaccine protects against feline leukemia virus, which is a fatal disease in cats. Dehydration and electrolyte abnormalitiesWater and appropriate electrolyte levels are essential for a cats body to produce energy and function normally. If your cat does not show any such severe symptoms, you can wait for a few hours to see if it stops shivering. Rabiesis significant not only for its effect on the cat but because it is a disease that is transmissible to humans and can be fatal. They also think that some shots may be doing more harm than good. Most vets will highly recommend the FVRCP and rabies vaccines. Rabies is endemic worldwide, and the vaccine is recommended for all pet cats. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. More serious, but less common side effects, such as allergic reactions, may occur within minutes to hours after vaccination. WebThere are usually three distinctive stages with rabies in cats. Recommendations for treatment or additional diagnostic testing will be based on the specifics of your cats case and the results of their initial workup. This can even happen to cats that have bonded quite well. (The exact requirements will depend on the vaccine, so always make sure to walk through your kittens vaccine schedule with your vet.) Some cats even exhibit lingering fear and anxiety days after coming from the vet. For further information on FIV, seeFeline immunodeficiency virus. Heart diseaseA heart that isnt pumping normally cant move blood around the body well. Dr. Debra, Recently, my kitten (2 months old) had her first installment of vaccinations. (The exact requirements will depend on the vaccine, so always make sure to walk through your kittens vaccine schedule with your vet.). An allergic reaction is more concerning than a typical reaction to a vaccine. This happens because the immune response generated by a vaccine can make cats feel tired, achy, and generally unwell. WebHow will your cat feel after receiving a vaccine? However, these adverse effects should subside after 24 to 48 hours. Keep in mind that vaccines dont offer total immunity from diseases. Before going to the vet, it is a good idea to prepare a warm and cozy place for your cat. WebSome cats will develop a mild reaction that may last for a few days to a week after the vaccination. WebBordetella: Cats who go to the groomer or stay at a kennel may get vaccinated for this infection that spreads quickly in spaces where there are lots of animals. In the vast majority of cases, your cat will feel fine and you wont notice any change in their behavior. An article that might be helpful to you is Dealing with Cats that Wont Eat. A number of other vaccines may be available in certain countries but not others. Always inform your veterinarian if your pet has had prior reactions to any vaccine or medication. A vet will offeressential vaccinations for your cat. Your cats lifestyle and geographic location will help you and your vet determine whether or not he needs a non-core vaccine. What Are the Most Common Side Effects of Cat Vaccinations? You should call the vet for advice if your cat feels ill after 48 hours of vaccination. Rare vaccine side effects In very rare circumstances, a vaccine can cause a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). WebThe vaccine protocols that are being questioned are those for the core vaccines administered to adult dogs and cats. It should start to disappear within a couple weeks. Some of these problems, like cancer, are more common as pets get older, but lethargy can strike cats at any age. 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. The key? Then the next day I called him back because Lethargic and WobblyCats who are wobbly could be suffering from a neurologic problem or metabolic disease, or they could simply be very weak. This, in turn, will allow cancerous cells to spread. Its natural for a cat to become listless and sleepy after vaccines are administered. Less common side effects include: Twitching Itchy skin Vomiting Diarrhoea Limping. TheFeline Vaccination Advisory Panelregularly evaluates and researches cat vaccination developments to make science-based recommendations. This usually takes a day. Rabies is a zoonotic disease (it can be transmitted from animals to humans), so it is a public safety issue to keep your cat up to date on their rabies vaccine. Cats that struggle with this side effect bounce back as quickly as they experienced the issue. Not all vaccines must be injected. Another sign of FISS includes the lump exceeding 2cm in diameter, especially if it keeps growing. As cats age, they often spend more time quietly observing the world around them (or napping), but this isnt lethargy; its growing up. After a few days, you can expect your pet to revert to his true personality. Contact your veterinarian if you have a lethargic kitten. The right vaccinations. However, vaccination is essential for his health and your familys safety. We took her to our vet. The inflammation caused by the vaccination activates the malignant tumor and causes it to spread. All rights reserved. They divide cat vaccines into two categories: Core vaccines are those recommended for all cats, no matter where they live or under what conditions. 6 Challenges of Owning a Cat You Need to Know, Changes In Cat Behaviour After Vet Visit? The other three core vaccines are combined into a single three-in-one vaccine called the FVRCP vaccine. There is always risk involved in vaccinating a cat. All rights reserved. All vaccines have the potential to cause side effects in cats. After those initial rounds of vaccinations are finished, all youll have to do to keep your cat vaccinated is periodically get him booster shots. Rare vaccine side effects In very rare circumstances, a vaccine can cause a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). This is because the immune system has started reacting to the vaccine. Please consider making a contribution, big or small, to keep our content free, accurate and relevant. This behavior can last for about a day and your pet should start eating in few hours. They should be left alone to rest and you should see improvement in their condition in a few hours. In recent years, the risk of Feline Injection Site Sarcoma (FISS) has become more of a concern. This virus is quite common among cats, especially cats that go outdoors and are involved in fighting (infection is mainly spread through cat bites). There are so many possibilities of what it could be. The FeLV vaccine is tricky because it is required for kittens but optional for cats that are at least a year old. Then the next day I called him back because 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. Click Yes to help us continue to make these improvements. Ondansetron For Cats (Zofran) All You Need To Know, Mini Hippo Dog - Everything You Need To Know. Lethargic and Not Eating / DrinkingLike lethargy, not eating or drinking well are nonspecific clinical signs that are seen with many cat diseases. The same isnt true for lethargy. A vaccine is usually given by an injection under the skin, although sometimes may be given as drops into the eyes or nose. Many illnesses will also make a cat lethargic, so its quite likely that a sick or recently vaccinated cat will be lethargic. Some that may be available include: Vaccination is generally a very safe procedure that has substantially reduced the impact of several very serious diseases. These diseases are highly infectious and seen worldwide. Most cats want to sleep for a few hours after getting their shot. American Association of Feline Practitioners. Is your cat lying around more than normal? Some common side effects of feline vaccinations include: These side effects should be short-lived. 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 Then the next day I called him back because This will give the other cats something familiar to smell in the recently vaccinated pet. Goodness, this sounds like a very complicated case. In addition, vaccines can cause allergic reactions. Keep track of product alerts for pet foods, animal feed, and products used by veterinarians or animal owners. This happens because the immune response generated by a vaccine can make cats feel tired, achy, and generally unwell. Cat Diseases: What Is Bobcat Fever and Why Is It Deadly to Cats? 1. 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. Cats that have this vaccination often experience stiffened joints. Rare vaccine side effects In very rare circumstances, a vaccine can cause a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). It usually depends on theirage, overall health, and lifestyle. It is possible that it has little energy to walk to the bowl after vaccination. Vaccines forfeline herpes virus(FHV-1) andfeline calicivirus(FCV) are always combined, as these two viruses together are the main causes of upper respiratory tract infections in cats (cat flu).