They told me she acted as if she had rabies and informed me I should have her put down. If they are outdoor or indoor/outdoor, or they are young cats or seniors, your vet may recommend yearly FVRCP shots. Vaccines are necessary for most cats, especially those that spend most of their time outdoors. 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. All vaccines have the potential to cause side effects in cats. Basic lab work will often be needed as well. TheFeline Vaccination Advisory Panelregularly evaluates and researches cat vaccination developments to make science-based recommendations. Vaccines are medication and like other medical treatments, have their own potential adverse effects. Lethargic and Not Eating / DrinkingLike lethargy, not eating or drinking well are nonspecific clinical signs that are seen with many cat diseases. This happens because the immune response generated by a vaccine can make cats feel tired, achy, and generally unwell. WebThe vaccine protocols that are being questioned are those for the core vaccines administered to adult dogs and 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. More marked side effects may include vomiting, diarrhoea, lameness, fever, signs of respiratory tract infection, or lumps at the site of injection. 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. However, in colonies of cats with repeated outbreaks of disease, vaccination may play a role in helping protect cats. Non-core vaccines arent necessary for all cats. Lethargic cats often do sleep more than normal, but their lethargy remains unless the underlying problem is addressed. Was her glucose normal? After coming home, your cats may seem like total strangers. He gave her a shot of cortizone. Their guidelines, published by theAmerican Association of Feline Practitioners, are among the most trusted and utilized recommendations in the field. Many illnesses will also make a cat lethargic, so its quite likely that a sick or recently vaccinated cat will be lethargic. As the cat receives its shot, its body starts adapting to the vaccine, causing some changes in the body and function. However, your pet may want to be alone during this period. In comparison, healthy kittens are never lethargic. In the early stages the affected cat may suffer from lethargy and pain in the affected area. Keep in mind that vaccines dont offer total immunity from diseases. Goodness, this sounds like a very complicated case. Adult cats need shots less often, usually every year or every 3 years, depending on how long a vaccine is designed to last. Less common side effects include: Twitching Itchy skin Vomiting Diarrhoea Limping. Rabies is endemic worldwide, and the vaccine is recommended for all pet cats. If you see your cat shivering after vaccination, it can be from the pain or swelling at the injection site. So there you have it everything you need to know about cat vaccinations to keep your pet safe from super preventable diseases. Adverse effects from vaccines are very rare, especially in view of the millions of doses that are administered every year. Some cats may also have trouble walking and experience stomach upsets. 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. Youll need to make an informed decision about whether to vaccinate your cat based on the available medical evidence. Some common side effects of feline vaccinations include: These side effects should be short-lived. Also, she wants to clean herself and tries to play like she used to. As the cat receives its shot, its body starts adapting to the vaccine, causing some changes in the body and function. The non-core costs range from $15 to $20 for the year. In recent years, the risk of Feline Injection Site Sarcoma (FISS) has become more of a concern. Your vet always tells you how important it is to get your cat vaccinated, but you might still be wondering if its worth it. Some cats are allergic to vaccines. It usually depends on theirage, overall health, and lifestyle. Outbreaks of infection with this virus are common and a high proportion of affected cats can die. If so, your cat is showing the classic signs of lethargy. Many illnesses will also make a cat lethargic, so its quite likely that a sick or recently vaccinated cat will be lethargic. Since then we noticed her behavior changed. Even though its a confusing topic, making sure your cat has the shots they need and keeping up with booster shots is very important. He told us she had a screw loose and that she had a shot knot. Recent vaccinationCats may be lethargic for a day or two as their immune system responds to vaccination. All rights reserved. The other three core vaccines are combined into a single three-in-one vaccine called the FVRCP vaccine. After a few days, you can expect your pet to revert to his true personality. Cat booster shots Feline Distemper (Panleukopenia), Feline Herpesvirus (FHV-1), and Feline Calicivirus (FCV), These three vaccines are combined into one (FVCRP vaccine), Swelling around the location of the injection, Swelling around the face, eyes, mouth, and neck, Low blood pressure and decreased heart rate. Cat Behavior After Vaccination A Complete Guide. Senior cats may slow down a bit more, but extreme or sudden changes are usually a sign of a health problem. This may include: Tests for feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus. While most cats behave normally after vaccination, it is common FeLV is an important disease, causing a wide variety of problems in persistently infected cats including immunosuppression, anaemia, and lymphoma. 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 number of other vaccines may be available in certain countries but not others. On the other, theyll be more affected by any of the side effects. The same thing can happen to people. Lethargy is a very nonspecific clinical signits seen with almost every health problem a cat could develop. Recently, my kitten (2 months old) had her first installment of vaccinations. This happens because the immune response generated by a vaccine can make cats feel tired, achy, and generally unwell. American Association of Feline Practitioners. Traumatic injuriesSignificant trauma leads to pain, and healing requires extra energy. A vet will offeressential vaccinations for your cat. Many illnesses will also make a cat lethargic, so its quite likely that a sick or recently vaccinated cat will be lethargic. Its advisable to get your cat inoculated if your cat roams outside. They should be left alone to rest and you should see improvement in their condition in a few hours. Independence America Holdings Corp. All Rights Reserved. Talk to your veterinarian if your cats lethargy worsens or fails to improve in a day or two. Dr. Debra, Recently, my kitten (2 months old) had her first installment of vaccinations. Also, many local and state governments have laws about vaccines like rabies. All rights reserved. We took her to our vet. American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF), What to expect after your pet's vaccination, Discomfort and local swelling at the vaccination site, Sneezing, mild coughing, "snotty nose" or other respiratory signs may occur 2-5 days after your pet receives an intranasal vaccine, Swelling of the muzzle and around the face, neck, or eyes. A potential problem is that vaccinated cats will also test positive on the routine tests used to detect FIV-infected cats, but newer diagnostic assays are becoming available that may overcome this problem. 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. Make sure that food and water are readily available to him. Owners should not get concerned if their cat starts acting strange after vaccination. These are perfectly normal although it can be disconcerting to see your happy cat lack his usual vigor. Diarrhea is also a possibility for the same reasons. This is because the immune system has started reacting to the vaccine. WebLow energy (lethargy) Eating less Sleeping more Fever (high temperature) Mild swelling around the vaccine site that disappears in two - six weeks. Get the latest updates on your choice of veterinary topics delivered straight to your inbox. In most cases, the risks posed by vaccination are outweighed by the safety that vaccines provide. Feline calicivirusencompasses a number of viral strains that cause signs of upper respiratory infection, such as sneezing and nasal discharge as well as oral ulcerations. It has also been strongly recommended that all kittens are vaccinated against FeLV on the basis that younger cats are more susceptible to this infection and it cannot usually be predicted what the risks for the cat would be as it grows up. 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. While the rabies vaccine is not listed as a core vaccine by the AAFP guidelines, it is required by law in most regions. Before going to the vet, it is a good idea to prepare a warm and cozy place for your cat. Only use vaccines that are recommended by your vet. WebLow energy (lethargy) Eating less Sleeping more Fever (high temperature) Mild swelling around the vaccine site that disappears in two - six weeks. (The exact requirements will depend on the vaccine, so always make sure to walk through your kittens vaccine schedule with your vet.) The first one is called the prodromal stage. It is not as common as FHV-1 or FCV (see above), but can sometimes be a problem especially in stressed cats and cats from large colonies. A vaccination against rabies would usually happen in the right back leg, while a vaccination for FVCRP would happen in the right front leg. 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. Whether you have a kitten or an adult cat, it should go without saying that vaccines are essential for your pets health and your safety. Feline panleukopenia, also known asfeline parvovirus, is a highly infectious disease with a high mortality rate in kittens. WebHow will your cat feel after receiving a vaccine? Cats withBordetella bronchispeticacan be treated effectively with appropriate antibiotics, and vaccination is not required in most cats. To help your pet stay healthy, limit their contact with infected animals and to environments where diseases may be more common. This behavior can last for about a day and your pet should start eating in few hours. However, as a charity, we need your support to enable us to keep delivering high quality and up to date information for everyone. 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. You have to consider the fact that visiting the vet often entails a lot of things that can be scary for your pet, including getting handled by the clinic staff. The vaccine wont prevent the disease, but it will keep your kitty from getting very sick from it. The panel comprisesdedicated feline veterinarians and scientists and is regarded as a reputable source of cat vaccination standards. All vaccines have to undergo rigorous safety and efficacy testing before they are licensed for use in cats by regulatory authorities. The FeLV vaccine works to protect your cat againstfeline leukemia virus. While the rabies vaccine is not listed as a core vaccine by the AAFP guidelines, it is required by law in most regions. That can upset your cats stomach. In many cases, lethargy is the bodys way of conserving energy to fight off illness or heal from injury. Vaccines that are appropriate for some cats in some circumstances are considered noncore vaccines (or lifestyle vaccines). Limping This reaction mainly affects young kittens, usually at their first vaccination. A cats immune system starts to adapt following a vaccine, which means that a cat may feel sick. Your cat may also need to undergo radiotherapy or chemotherapy. I had then decided to take her to our local emergency vet clinic. From time to time, check on your cat. Just as in humans, vaccinating your cat helps to protect him or her against several serious and/or life-threatening diseases.