As the cat receives its shot, its body starts adapting to the vaccine, causing some changes in the body and function. Your pet can temporarily change his usual behavior after getting vaccines either because he is experiencing side effects or if he was traumatized by the visit to the clinic. Mild signs, such as tiredness, mild fever, and decreased appetite, may be present for a short time. A loss of appetite is a common side effect of vaccinations. If you present your cat to a vet with FISS, surgery will be required to remove the tumor. The rabies virus targets your cats central nervous system, causing aggression, paralysis and coma. Get the latest updates on your choice of veterinary topics delivered straight to your inbox. While cat vaccinations generally have no serious side effects, some people report changes in their poochs behavior after getting vaccinated. Kittens should start getting vaccinations when they are 6 to 8 weeks old until they are about 16 weeks old. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. When a cat is bitten by another cat, an infection is likely to develop. 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. 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). While most cats behave normally after vaccination, it is common WebSome cats will develop a mild reaction that may last for a few days to a week after the vaccination. The FVCRP vaccine is most likely to cause limping because lameness is a symptom of feline calicivirus. In recent years, the risk of Feline Injection Site Sarcoma (FISS) has become more of a concern. Recommendations for treatment or additional diagnostic testing will be based on the specifics of your cats case and the results of their initial workup. Like any other medical treatment, vaccinations have their risks and adverse effects. To make a diagnosis, your veterinarian will start by taking a thorough health history and performing a complete physical examination. Floating Ribs In Dogs Dog Rib Cage Protruding On One Side? Designate this as his recovery area where he can rest without being disturbed by the other members of the household. However, a trip to the clinic is often a traumatizing experience for most cats. Limping This reaction mainly affects young kittens, usually at their first vaccination. If your cat is still unwell 48 hours after its vaccination, then you should call your vet for advice. Theres no better place to network, learn, and meet up with the friends and colleagues who make veterinary medicine so rewarding. Can you give me any feedback on your impressions and how I need to proceed with continued love and care for my little one? It is not entirely clear why cats experience FISS. In the early stages the affected cat may suffer from lethargy and pain in the affected area. Cats can be allergic to anything. Every topic on our website is thoroughly researched and professionally written. A number of other vaccines may be available in certain countries but not others. The disease can negatively impact your cats immune system or cause anemia or cancer. Before going to the vet, it is a good idea to prepare a warm and cozy place for your cat. Some cats are allergic to vaccines. Some pet owners report a temporary change in the behavior or personality of the cat after vaccination. 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. Youll need to make an informed decision about whether to vaccinate your cat based on the available medical evidence. 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. Fever, lethargy, reduced appetite, and swelling are all common. We use cookies to improve our website to make sure you have a better browsing experience. Core vaccines for cats are: The FVRCP vaccine is a combination vaccine to protect your cat from three pretty serious diseases: These diseases can affect things like your cats respiratory system and white blood cell count. 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. 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. In more severe cases, your cat may require intravenous fluids and further observation. For further information on FeLV, seeFeline leukaemia virus. Dehydration and electrolyte abnormalitiesWater and appropriate electrolyte levels are essential for a cats body to produce energy and function normally. In comparison, healthy kittens are never lethargic. As the cat receives its shot, its body starts adapting to the vaccine, causing some changes in the body and function. FeLV is an important disease, causing a wide variety of problems in persistently infected cats including immunosuppression, anaemia, and lymphoma. Since then we noticed her behavior changed. You can try comforting it with some food or drink to alleviate the pain or discomfort associated with vaccination. He told me to bring her in and he would get to her when he could. Cat booster shots The first one is called the prodromal stage. 2023 SeniorCatWellness.com. They should be left alone to rest and you should see improvement in their condition in a few hours. Basic lab work will often be needed as well. The FeLV vaccine is tricky because it is required for kittens but optional for cats that are at least a year old. Previously, many vets chose to administer shots to the neck. A small, firm swelling under the skin may develop at the site of a recent vaccination. As vaccinations are injected into a cats leg, some limited mobility is to be expected. 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. FISS can cause a cancerous tumor at the site of the vaccination. The right vaccinations. A first booster vaccination should be given 12 months later to ensure a good level of continuing protection. Well, it totally is. It is now common also to recommend a third vaccination (especially for FPV) at 16-20 weeks of age to ensure the kitten is properly protected. WebAfter a vaccine, around one-in-ten cats experience a soft swelling at the injection site. 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). A small, firm swelling under the skin may develop at the site of a recent vaccination. The vaccine wont prevent the disease, but it will keep your kitty from getting very sick from it. It is now well recognised that this is a very rare occurrence (probably less than 1 in 20,000 vaccines administered) and it seems that both vaccines and other injectable products can carry a small risk of inducing this in cats. A vet must assess a cat with a lump that persists for weeks after vaccination. While the rabies vaccine is not listed as a core vaccine by the AAFP guidelines, it is required by law in most regions. We took her to our vet. To help your pet stay healthy, limit their contact with infected animals and to environments where diseases may be more common. However, these adverse effects should subside after 24 to 48 hours. What You Need to Know About Rabies Vaccines for Cats. WebHow will your cat feel after receiving a vaccine? Limping This reaction mainly affects young kittens, usually at their first vaccination. Heres What You Should Know! Lethargic and DroolingDiseases or injuries affecting the mouth are common causes of drooling, and they can cause lethargy too. Rabies vaccination is given every year or every three years, depending on state laws and the brand of vaccine used. Heres how to tell the difference between a tired cat and a lethargic cat, some possible causes of the lethargy, and what you should do. Anemia (low red blood cell count)A cats body needs the oxygen that red blood cells carry to make energy. However, these adverse effects should subside after 24 to 48 hours. This normally lasts for around 48 hours. Its easier to stretch the skin and administer a shot. She started to get more aggressive. You can try feeding the cat to see if it helps. Clinical signs vary from mild to extremely severe, and occasionally other complications may develop including viral pneumonia. Cats can have vaccine reactions but they are relatively uncommon and do not present like this. Your veterinarian can assess your cats risk of FeLV infection and decide on an appropriate vaccination schedule. After an incubation stage, clinical signs of aggression, disorientation, and death rapidly progress. There are some risks and side effects associated with cat vaccination. After an incubation stage, clinical signs of aggression, disorientation, and death rapidly progress. Mild signs, such as tiredness, mild fever, and decreased appetite, may be present for a short time. Support International Cat Care from as little 3, Sign up to our monthly newsletter and free e-magazine Intelligent Cat Care, Sign up to our monthly charity newsletter, Reg Charity 1117342 (England and Wales) Place Farm, Chilmark Road, Tisbury, Wiltshire, SP3 6LW, You are now being re-directed to an external website www.thecatgallery.co.uk. All our advice is freely accessible to everyone, wherever you are in the world. You can seek guidance and advice from your vet regarding such behavioral transformation. We took her to our vet. WebThere are usually three distinctive stages with rabies in cats. I cant see how that can be rabies. After a latent period lasting months or even years, the disease often progresses to a variety of associated conditions:lymphoma, anemia, or immunosuppression resulting in secondary disease. Less common side effects include: Twitching Itchy skin Vomiting Diarrhoea Limping. Vaccines that are appropriate for some cats in some circumstances are considered noncore vaccines (or lifestyle vaccines). 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. Lower urinary tract problemsDiseases affecting the bladder and associated structures lead to lethargy, discomfort, and sometimes an inability to urinate. Talk to your vet to figure out which approach is best for your pet. Non-core vaccines arent necessary for all cats. 2022 MyCuteAnimals. Less common side effects include: Twitching Itchy skin Vomiting Diarrhoea Limping. If your cat has tolerated vaccinations well in the past, then there is no reason to deny it boosters, provided that its health hasnt recently faltered. While it is no longer routinely recommended for grooming or boarding, it may be required by individual businesses. Assess whether your cat isnt eating or is just reluctant to walk to its bowl. Your cat may also need to undergo radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Vaccination can and do affect a cats behavior. Fever, lethargy, reduced appetite, and swelling are all common. We took her to our vet. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I'm Richard, the lead writer for Senior Cat Wellness. These are perfectly normal although it can be disconcerting to see your happy cat lack his usual vigor. After those initial rounds of vaccinations are finished, all youll have to do to keep your cat vaccinated is periodically get him booster shots. The Veterinary Leadership Conference draws veterinarians from across the U.S. for education sessions that help develop leaders for the veterinary profession. Though rare, your cat may undergo a complete personality change. Recent vaccinationCats may be lethargic for a day or two as their immune system responds to vaccination. The most alarming reaction to vaccination is Feline Injection Site Sarcoma (FISS). If your cat belongs to the second camp, there are a few things that you can do to make him feel better while recovering. Heart diseaseA heart that isnt pumping normally cant move blood around the body well. Some cats may also have trouble walking and experience stomach upsets. 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. WebAfter a vaccine, around one-in-ten cats experience a soft swelling at the injection site. In this stage, a rabid cat will usually exhibit changes in behavior that aren't typical for their personality: A shy cat can become If you see your cat shivering after vaccination, it can be from the pain or swelling at the injection site. A feline that has been vaccinated will want to be on its own to get some sleep for several hours. side effects associated with cat vaccination. Inflammatory / immune diseasesAbnormal immune responses and inflammation can make cats feel unwell and damage the body. Limping This reaction mainly affects young kittens, usually at their first vaccination. In some cases, it also causes oral ulceration andpneumonia. It is possible that it has little energy to walk to the bowl after vaccination. Outbreaks of infection with this virus are common and a high proportion of affected cats can die. In some cases, affected kittens may develop pneumonia. However, as a charity, we need your support to enable us to keep delivering high quality and up to date information for everyone. A number of FeLV vaccines are also available and are effective in protecting cats. These treatments can aggravate problems with the heart and kidneys. 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. However, in colonies of cats with repeated outbreaks of disease, vaccination may play a role in helping protect cats. A small, firm swelling under the skin may develop at the site of a recent vaccination. Here at MyCuteAnimals.com we cover everything from training, care, health, nutrition, breeds, products, and much more. This is only a concern if it does not quickly recover. 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. This was due to the flexibility of the skin in this area. 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. On average, your cats core vaccines alone (without the office visit charge) can cost $40 to $80 for the first years worth of shots. Many cats are fortunate to go into a regressive state and appear perfectly healthy throughout their lives, but some do not fare as well. It should start to disappear within a couple weeks. The first one is called the prodromal stage. Some cats may also have trouble walking and experience stomach upsets. Some of these problems, like cancer, are more common as pets get older, but lethargy can strike cats at any age. They also think that some shots may be doing more harm than good. The same thing can happen to people. Such reactions can occur almost every time the cat gets a shot. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. Loss of appetite is a common side effect of vaccination in cats. When a cat is bitten by another cat, an infection is likely to develop. 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. Respiratory conditionsAnything that hinders the lungs ability to move oxygen into the bloodstream can lead to lethargy in cats. Cat booster shots 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. Technically, lethargy in cats is never normal, but it is sometimes expected. After the cat recovers from the initial infection, the virus enters a latency period in the nerves. 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. Less common side effects include: Twitching Itchy skin Vomiting Diarrhoea Limping. Woman Tries Every Day For A Month To Rescue This Dog. 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. 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. If your cat gets outside, you want to make sure they areprotected. 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. This can manifest in the form of aggression or clinginess. After a few days, you can expect your pet to revert to his true personality. Better yet, schedule routine visits to the clinic so that you can bring your cats together.
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