WebAfter a vaccine, around one-in-ten cats experience a soft swelling at the injection site. (The exact requirements will depend on the vaccine, so always make sure to walk through your kittens vaccine schedule with your vet.) 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. After a few days, you can expect your pet to revert to his true personality. These effects should subside in a few hours or days. There are many different strains of the FIV virus and it is not entirely clear as of yet how well the available vaccine protects against all these different strains, but studies suggest that it is able to provide a valuable degree of protection for cats at risk of exposure. Also, other vaccinations are highly recommended to protect your cat against infectious diseases. After getting injected with a vaccine, you may also experience the same symptoms. Tiredness is a temporary state that resolves with rest or sleep. Heres What It Means, Cat Behavior After Vaccination A Complete Guide. Contact your veterinarian if you have a lethargic kitten. These reactions can be life-threatening and are medical emergencies. Sneezing, mild coughing, "snotty nose" or other respiratory signs may occur 2-5 days after your pet receives an intranasal vaccine. Some that may be available include: Vaccination is generally a very safe procedure that has substantially reduced the impact of several very serious diseases. All rights reserved. Lethargy After vaccination, it is normal for your pet to exhibit a few symptoms like fever, lameness, swelling, and 2. Many illnesses will also make a cat lethargic, so its quite likely that a sick or recently vaccinated cat will be lethargic. This is because the vaccine causes a chemical reaction in a cats brain. Some owners report that their cats never remained the same after vaccination. In comparison, healthy kittens are never lethargic. Other vaccines are regarded as non-core and used when vaccination would provide valuable protection for an individual cat. Any movement will be painful for the full duration of this side effect. As the cat receives its shot, its body starts adapting to the vaccine, causing some changes in the body and function. Watch out for symptoms like diarrhea, collapse, and breathing difficulties. 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. A cats immune system starts to adapt following a vaccine, which means that a cat may feel sick. I truly love this kitty and want to give her all the time and love that I can. The virus also kills off white blood cells, leaving the young cats even more susceptible to secondary infections. Clinical signs vary from mild to extremely severe, and occasionally other complications may develop including viral pneumonia. Keep track of product alerts for pet foods, animal feed, and products used by veterinarians or animal owners. When it comes to medicine, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. WebLow energy (lethargy) Eating less Sleeping more Fever (high temperature) Mild swelling around the vaccine site that disappears in two - six weeks. Its rare, but it does happen. 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. Most cats will need booster shots every one to three years, but always double-check with your vet to make sure because thats something youll want to stay on top of. You can seek guidance and advice from your vet regarding such behavioral transformation. 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 a couple of days, he will bounce back to his normal self. Kittens may also acquire infections from the queen before birth. Please consider making a contribution, big or small, to keep our content free, accurate and relevant. For example, cats that have just been vaccinated are often lethargic. Treatment for lethargy in cats is directed at finding and resolving the underlying cause. If you go to the vet, you can probably expect an office visit charge in addition to the cost of the vaccine. The effectiveness of these vaccines should be evaluated carefully, and none of these should be regarded as core (or essential) vaccines. Loss of appetite is a common side effect of vaccination in cats. If so, your cat is showing the classic signs of lethargy. He told us she had a screw loose and that she had a shot knot. This is a temporary lump that goes away after a couple of weeks and nothing to worry about. This is more likely for older cats with arthritis or joint pain. While it is no longer routinely recommended for grooming or boarding, it may be required by individual businesses. Is she running a fever? In some cases, affected kittens may develop pneumonia. A cat that does not eat for more than 24 hours is a matter of concern. You have to understand that cats that share a home pass each others scent to one another. 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 While most cats behave normally after vaccination, it is common to see some changes in behavior of your feline friend for a few hours once it gets its vaccine shot. I'm a proud owner of 5 adult cats (all adopted strays), including a senior cat who is now 20. WebAfter a vaccine, around one-in-ten cats experience a soft swelling at the injection site. Provide for his needs and keep some distance. Dehydration and electrolyte abnormalitiesWater and appropriate electrolyte levels are essential for a cats body to produce energy and function normally. It may also run a high fever. WebSome cats will develop a mild reaction that may last for a few days to a week after the vaccination. 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. Respiratory conditionsAnything that hinders the lungs ability to move oxygen into the bloodstream can lead to lethargy in cats. 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. Their guidelines, published by theAmerican Association of Feline Practitioners, are among the most trusted and utilized recommendations in the field. Every topic on our website is thoroughly researched and professionally written. If your cat belongs to the second camp, there are a few things that you can do to make him feel better while recovering. Feline panleucopenia virus(also known as feline parvovirus or feline infectious enteritis) is a severe and frequently fatal cause of haemorrhagic gastroenteritis. However, if you see any severe reactions like swollen eyes or face, breathing difficulty, diarrhea or collapse, you should report to the veterinarian. 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. If your cat takes its vaccinations intranasally, it will sneeze and sniff for a while afterward. In the early stages the affected cat may suffer from lethargy and pain in the affected area. And a visit to the vet can be doubly scary for a feline if injections are added to the equation. Some vaccines are recommended for all cats. Previously, many vets chose to administer shots to the neck. From time to time, check on your cat. And if youre about to adopt a cat, some rescues and shelters will include the costs of the vaccines he already got in your cats adoption fees. This may include: Tests for feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus. However, it is a good idea to monitor your cat from time to time to ensure that he does not have an adverse reaction to the vaccine. These reactions should not be severe. Your vet always tells you how important it is to get your cat vaccinated, but you might still be wondering if its worth it. What Are the Side Effects of Vaccinations for Senior Cats? If your elderly cat has a chronic illness, then you should avoid vaccination. All vaccines have the potential to cause side effects in cats. Less common side effects include: Twitching Itchy skin Vomiting Diarrhoea Limping. He told us she had a screw loose and that she had a shot knot. 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. This will give the feline enough time to groom and make himself smell familiar to the other cats. Limping This reaction mainly affects young kittens, usually at their first vaccination. The FeLV vaccine works to protect your cat againstfeline leukemia virus. Some data suggest that adult animals may maintain immunity for 5-7 years after their initial vaccinations as young animals, suggesting that the annual revaccination veterinarians had recommended for years is not necessary. Fever, lethargy, reduced appetite, and swelling are all common. These side effects are short-term and should subside on their own. The right vaccinations. UTIs in Cats (Urinary Tract Infections in Cats). The first one is called the prodromal stage. There are some clinics that will vaccinate your cat for free. It is not entirely clear why cats experience FISS. Before going to the vet, it is a good idea to prepare a warm and cozy place for your cat. 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. WebAfter a vaccine, around one-in-ten cats experience a soft swelling at the injection site. Cat Behavior After Vaccination A Complete Guide. This will naturally make them more lethargic. They told me she acted as if she had rabies and informed me I should have her put down. Also, many local and state governments have laws about vaccines like rabies. All vaccines have to undergo rigorous safety and efficacy testing before they are licensed for use in cats by regulatory authorities. This happens because the immune response generated by a vaccine can make cats feel tired, achy, and generally unwell. If your cat does not show any such severe symptoms, you can wait for a few hours to see if it stops shivering. Cat booster shots Its easy to be overwhelmed when you hear conflicting information about whether your cat needs them and the adverse effects they may have. Ultimately, cat owners should work with their veterinarians to limit the stress associated with visiting a clinic. Transmitted through body fluids including saliva, urine, and feces, FeLV is spread when an infected cat comes into close contact with another cat that they groom or share bowls with. Dr. Debra, Recently, my kitten (2 months old) had her first installment of vaccinations. Vaccination is very effective in preventing disease. Goodness, this sounds like a very complicated case. The virus can also survive for long periods in the environment so vaccination is the only real way to protect cats. In addition, vaccines can cause allergic reactions. 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 This is a temporary lump that goes away after a couple of weeks and nothing to worry about. It should start to disappear within a couple weeks. The vaccine wont prevent the disease, but it will keep your kitty from getting very sick from it.