The inflammation caused by the vaccination activates the malignant tumor and causes it to spread. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I'm Richard, the lead writer for Senior Cat Wellness. Loss of appetite is a common side effect of vaccination in cats. This was due to the flexibility of the skin in this area. Many cats experience mild side effects after vaccination like fever, lethargy, swelling and reduced energy. From time to time, check on your cat. The virus can also survive for long periods in the environment so vaccination is the only real way to protect cats. If your cat does not show any such severe symptoms, you can wait for a few hours to see if it stops shivering. These reactions should not be severe. However, these adverse effects should subside after 24 to 48 hours. In this stage, a rabid cat will usually exhibit changes in behavior that aren't typical for their personality: A shy cat can become Vaccines and Vaccinations: Individual Animals For example, cats that have just been vaccinated are often lethargic. Beyond this, all other vaccines are optional. Hi thanks for your email. A cat that does not eat for more than 24 hours is a matter of concern. 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. A cats body will go through an adjustment after a vaccine is administered. Is she running a fever? The same isnt true for lethargy. Although the experience is never pleasant, felines must be vaccinated against rabies by law. Cat vaccination 10 things you should These effects should subside in a few hours or days. 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. Cats Have a Reaction to Vaccinations 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. In the vast majority of cases, your cat will feel fine and you wont notice any change in their behavior. Is she eating? 1. A number of other vaccines may be available in certain countries but not others. Mild reactions can include a variety of symptoms such as mild fever, lethargy, poor appetite, sneezing or respiratory problems, slight discomfort at the injection site, slight swelling at the injection site, and vomiting. You can seek guidance and advice from your vet regarding such behavioral transformation. Cat Vaccinations Lethargy After vaccination, it is normal for your pet to exhibit a few symptoms like fever, lameness, swelling, and 2. This, in turn, will allow cancerous cells to spread. 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So there you have it everything you need to know about cat vaccinations to keep your pet safe from super preventable diseases. They could even react to the rubber gloves that your vet wears to administer the vaccine. Rare vaccine side effects In very rare circumstances, a vaccine can cause a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). The cat can behave strangely, get aggressive, show lethargy or refuse to eat. Traumatic injuriesSignificant trauma leads to pain, and healing requires extra energy. Read the latest news about the AVMA and the veterinary profession, and search archives dating back to 2000. You can try feeding the cat to see if it helps. 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. 6 Challenges of Owning a Cat You Need to Know, Changes In Cat Behaviour After Vet Visit? To read most recent questions Click here! Less common side effects include: Twitching Itchy skin Vomiting Diarrhoea Limping. After a few days, you can expect your pet to revert to his true personality. Keep track of product alerts for pet foods, animal feed, and products used by veterinarians or animal owners. The initial vaccine course is often started at 8-9 weeks of age, with a second injection 3-4 weeks later. Your cat may also need to undergo radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Talk to your veterinarian if your cats lethargy worsens or fails to improve in a day or two. Keep in mind that vaccines dont offer total immunity from diseases. In many cases, lethargy is the bodys way of conserving energy to fight off illness or heal from injury. This will naturally make them more lethargic. Sneezing, mild coughing, "snotty nose" or other respiratory signs may occur 2-5 days after your pet receives an intranasal vaccine. When to give vaccines. However, these shouldneverbe used they have no scientific basis and cannot provoke the specific immune response that is needed to provide protection. If your kitten or senior cat becomes lethargic, contact your veterinarian right away. Copyright 1999 - 2023. Certain medicationsLethargy can be a side effect of certain medications, including some anti-anxiety and pain-relieving medications commonly given to cats. Dr. Debra, Recently, my kitten (2 months old) had her first installment of vaccinations. Basic lab work will often be needed as well. This is only a concern if it does not quickly recover. It should start to disappear within a couple weeks. 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. I have noticed she is not seeing very well but can hear us call her and will follow our calls. Vaccines 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. Fever, lethargy, reduced appetite, and swelling are all common. Cat Enema Side Effects What To Expect After Cat Enema? This is a temporary lump that goes away after a couple of weeks and nothing to worry about. When used appropriately and as recommended they are both safe and provide crucial protection for cats against a number of diseases. The first one is called the prodromal stage. Previously, many vets chose to administer shots to the neck. Also, she wants to clean herself and tries to play like she used to. Most cats want to sleep for a few hours after getting their shot. In addition, vaccines can cause allergic reactions. Dehydration and electrolyte abnormalitiesWater and appropriate electrolyte levels are essential for a cats body to produce energy and function normally. He gave her a shot of cortizone. Many pet owners report their cats not eating after getting their vaccines. Both of these viruses are ubiquitous in cat populations, and because infection is so common, and can often be quite severe (especially in younger cats), vaccination is considered important for all cats. FISS remains rare. Rabies is endemic worldwide, and the vaccine is recommended for all pet cats. After an incubation stage, clinical signs of aggression, disorientation, and death rapidly progress. 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. Then the next day I called him back because she started hanging her head and falling to the right and could not keep her balance. Vaccines are necessary for most cats, especially those that spend most of their time outdoors. Not all cats experience these problems after vaccination. They are very dangerous to young cats, and the vaccines are considered to provide a good deal of protection with minimal risk. The bacterium can also be an occasional cause of pneumonia in young kittens. This behavior can last for about a day and your pet should start eating in few hours. The effects are similar to human babies who become lethargic, cranky and even get fever after getting their shots. This is more likely for older cats with arthritis or joint pain. Its advisable to get your cat inoculated if your cat roams outside. WebLow energy (lethargy) Eating less Sleeping more Fever (high temperature) Mild swelling around the vaccine site that disappears in two - six weeks. While the rabies vaccine is not listed as a core vaccine by the AAFP guidelines, it is required by law in most regions. Vaccination against this virus is highly effective and has a critical role in protecting cats against infection, especially as the virus is highly contagious. He told us she had a screw loose and that she had a shot knot. Its natural for a cat to become listless and sleepy after vaccines are administered. 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. Its easier to stretch the skin and administer a shot. Recent vaccinationCats may be lethargic for a day or two as their immune system responds to vaccination. Cat I dont know how long after the vaccines that the signs start. She started to get more aggressive. The most commonly reported problem in cats is sleeping. after Watch out for symptoms like diarrhea, collapse, and breathing difficulties. Typically, these symptoms, including lethargy and lack of appetite, vanish after two to three days. So, it was with a heavy heart I had to leave again without an answer. An article that might be helpful to you is Dealing with Cats that Wont Eat. A vet must assess a cat with a lump that persists for weeks after vaccination. Kittens should start getting vaccinations when they are 6 to 8 weeks old until they are about 16 weeks old. There is always risk involved in vaccinating a cat. You have to understand that cats that share a home pass each others scent to one another. WebDecreased appetite and activity. This is a temporary lump that goes away after a couple of weeks and nothing to worry about. A vaccination against rabies would usually happen in the right back leg, while a vaccination for FVCRP would happen in the right front leg. The most alarming reaction to vaccination is Feline Injection Site Sarcoma (FISS). Limping syndrome in cats is a temporary problem. (The exact requirements will depend on the vaccine, so always make sure to walk through your kittens vaccine schedule with your vet.) After a couple of days, he will bounce back to his normal self. They also think that some shots may be doing more harm than good. They provide cat owners, veterinary professionals and those who live and work with cats the resources, support, and advice they need to better care for cats. It should start to disappear within a couple weeks. This can manifest in the form of aggression or clinginess. But usually, these behavioral changes are temporary in nature. Technically, lethargy in cats is never normal, but it is sometimes expected. If your cat takes its vaccinations intranasally, it will sneeze and sniff for a while afterward. For more information, please see ourPrivacy Policy. Future vaccine recommendation will be based on the cat's lifestyle.Feline leukemia cannot be cured, so prevention is a priority. If these side effects last for more than a day or two, or cause your pet significant discomfort, it is important for you to contact your veterinarian: A small, firm swelling under the skin may develop at the site of a recent vaccination. 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. This usually takes a day. They divide cat vaccines into two categories: Core vaccines are those recommended for all cats, no matter where they live or under what conditions. A small, firm swelling under the skin may develop at the site of a recent vaccination. Some cats even exhibit lingering fear and anxiety days after coming from the vet. WebThe vaccine protocols that are being questioned are those for the core vaccines administered to adult dogs and cats. 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. WebAfter a vaccine, around one-in-ten cats experience a soft swelling at the injection site. They can also strengthen theirimmune system. Cat booster shots In recent years, the risk of Feline Injection Site Sarcoma (FISS) has become more of a concern. Rabies is endemic worldwide, and the vaccine is recommended for all pet cats. We took her to our vet. He told us she had a screw loose and that she had a shot knot. Tiredness is a temporary state that resolves with rest or sleep. 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. Even if you reside in a state that doesnt mandate rabies shots by law, it remains advisable. Vaccines