WebAfter a vaccine, around one-in-ten cats experience a soft swelling at the injection site. And when you consider the pain of an injection, you will better understand why your cat may not interact with people and other cats like he usually does. Is your cat lying around more than normal? However, if you see any severe reactions like swollen eyes or face, breathing difficulty, diarrhea or collapse, you should report to the veterinarian. You have to understand that cats that share a home pass each others scent to one another. Vaccines Cats can have vaccine reactions but they are relatively uncommon and do not present like this. The rabies vaccine is so important that its required by law, since the disease is fatal, highly contagious and transmissible to humans. Every topic on our website is thoroughly researched and professionally written. She started to get more aggressive. There is always risk involved in vaccinating a cat. 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Get the latest updates on your choice of veterinary topics delivered straight to your inbox. He did not know what was wrong. Dr. Debra, Recently, my kitten (2 months old) had her first installment of vaccinations. This virus is quite common among cats, especially cats that go outdoors and are involved in fighting (infection is mainly spread through cat bites). Many illnesses will also make a cat lethargic, so its quite likely that a sick or recently vaccinated cat will be lethargic. American Association of Feline Practitioners. Cat Personality Change After Vaccinations (The exact requirements will depend on the vaccine, so always make sure to walk through your kittens vaccine schedule with your vet.) Cat booster shots These diseases are highly infectious and seen worldwide. Cats heading into stressful situations, such as boarding, may benefit from a core vaccine booster 7-10 days before. Cat Vaccination causes a chemical reaction in the cats brain that lasts 24-48 hours. 6 Challenges of Owning a Cat You Need to Know, Changes In Cat Behaviour After Vet Visit? 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. So The Dodos compiled everything you need to know about cat vaccinations. Dr. Debra, Recently, my kitten (2 months old) had her first installment of vaccinations. For further information on FIV, seeFeline immunodeficiency virus. If you go to the vet, you can probably expect an office visit charge in addition to the cost of the vaccine. 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. Adverse effects from vaccines are very rare, especially in view of the millions of doses that are administered every year. In this stage, a rabid cat will usually exhibit changes in behavior that aren't typical for their personality: A shy cat can become 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. Limping This reaction mainly affects young kittens, usually at their first vaccination. 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. 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. Some cats even exhibit lingering fear and anxiety days after coming from the vet. A vaccination against rabies would usually happen in the right back leg, while a vaccination for FVCRP would happen in the right front leg. To prevent aggression between your cats after a visit to the vet, it is a good idea to isolate the vaccinated cat. 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 an incubation stage, clinical signs of aggression, disorientation, and death rapidly progress. Lethargy can be defined as an abnormal decrease in a cats activity level and alertness. Nutritional disordersCats cant be energetic and engaged without good nutrition. 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. Poisoning or envenomationToxins and venomous stings or bites can cause pain, damage tissues, and disrupt normal physiologic functions. A small, firm swelling under the skin may develop at the site of a recent vaccination. Many illnesses will also make a cat lethargic, so its quite likely that a sick or recently vaccinated cat will be lethargic. All vaccines have the potential to cause side effects in cats. Your vet should examine the cat to determine whether it has developed a serious allergic reaction to the vaccine. After those initial rounds of vaccinations are finished, all youll have to do to keep your cat vaccinated is periodically get him booster shots. This tumor would need to be removed, and this is not easy around the neck. If your cat gets outside, you want to make sure they areprotected. When the underlying cause can be successfully treated, the lethargy should resolve as well. The most alarming reaction to vaccination is Feline Injection Site Sarcoma (FISS). This is because the immune system has started reacting to the vaccine. 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. Loss of appetite is a common side effect of vaccination in cats. The bacterium can also be an occasional cause of pneumonia in young kittens. Feline panleucopenia virus(also known as feline parvovirus or feline infectious enteritis) is a severe and frequently fatal cause of haemorrhagic gastroenteritis. WebHow will your cat feel after receiving a vaccine? This is only a concern if it does not quickly recover. The most common side effects are mild and include lethargy, inappetence or tenderness at the injection site, usually lasting no longer than a few days. Fever, lethargy, reduced appetite, and swelling are all common. A number of FeLV vaccines are also available and are effective in protecting cats. You can try comforting it with some food or drink to alleviate the pain or discomfort associated with vaccination. All vaccines have the potential to cause side effects in cats. Most vets will highly recommend the FVRCP and rabies vaccines. It is normal for your cat to experience mild symptoms ranging from soreness at the site of injection to fever, lethargy and allergic reactions. Treatment for lethargy in cats is directed at finding and resolving the underlying cause. While the rabies vaccine is not listed as a core vaccine by the AAFP guidelines, it is required by law in most regions. The right vaccinations. Some vaccines are recommended for all cats. Make a note of all the changes to your cats behavior. after WebThere are usually three distinctive stages with rabies in cats. Even though its a confusing topic, making sure your cat has the shots they need and keeping up with booster shots is very important. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. WebHow will your cat feel after receiving a vaccine? 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. Cats that have this vaccination often experience stiffened joints. It usually depends on theirage, overall health, and lifestyle. WebCan your cats personality change after a vaccination? He told me to bring her in and he would get to her when he could. FVCRP, FIP, and Bordetella can be inhaled nasally but may not be as effective as injections. So, it was with a heavy heart I had to leave again without an answer. There are some risks and side effects associated with cat vaccination. Cat Vaccinations JUMP TO: Core vaccines | Non-core vaccines | Vaccine costs | Vaccine schedule | Booster shots. The most commonly available vaccines are used to provide protection against the following infections: Vaccines can be divided into core vaccines and non-core vaccines. This is a cancerous tumor that develops following inflammation around the site of the injection. 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. All vaccines have to undergo rigorous safety and efficacy testing before they are licensed for use in cats by regulatory authorities. Click Yes to help us continue to make these improvements. These reactions can be life-threatening and are medical emergencies. It is a preparation designed to provide protection against a specific infectious disease through stimulating an immune response that will protect the cat if it is subsequently exposed to the infection. The initial vaccination series consists of two doses spaced three to four weeks apart, followed by revaccination one year later for all adult cats. They divide cat vaccines into two categories: Core vaccines are those recommended for all cats, no matter where they live or under what conditions. 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. Such reactions can occur almost every time the cat gets a shot. How To Euthanize A Cat With Over The Counter Drugs? You should always discuss with your vet what vaccines your own cat may require. Then they must be boostered a year later.. She started to get more aggressive. Cat Enema Side Effects What To Expect After Cat Enema? These reactions are generally treated with antihistamines and steroids. Generally, cats that go outside and may come across other cats of unknown status may be at risk of being exposed to FeLV, and vaccinating such cats may be very valuable (although the risks will vary between different regions). It should start to disappear within a couple weeks. WebLow energy (lethargy) Eating less Sleeping more Fever (high temperature) Mild swelling around the vaccine site that disappears in two - six weeks. 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. For example, fleas may remove so much blood from cats that they become anemic. A small, firm swelling under the skin may develop at the site of a recent vaccination. FeLV is found worldwide. Owners should not get concerned if their cat starts acting strange after vaccination. A cat can have an allergic reaction to a vaccination. Better yet, schedule routine visits to the clinic so that you can bring your cats together. While it is no longer routinely recommended for grooming or boarding, it may be required by individual businesses. If they have not done some basic tests, Id recommend letting them do that. Rare vaccine side effects In very rare circumstances, a vaccine can cause a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). 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. Vaccines are medication and like other medical treatments, have their own potential adverse effects. All vaccines have the potential to cause side effects in cats. A cat that does not eat for more than 24 hours is a matter of concern. He told us she had a screw loose and that she had a shot knot. All kittens should receive their core vaccinations and any others that are agreed between you and your vet. As a cat receives a shot, its immune system responds to the antibodies, causing it to look sick and uneasy. Their guidelines, published by theAmerican Association of Feline Practitioners, are among the most trusted and utilized recommendations in the field.