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. It sounds like your cat is having some neurologic symptoms that are very abnormal. Some cats are temporarily different or never quite the same after vaccination. If your kitten or senior cat becomes lethargic, contact your veterinarian right away. The Veterinary Leadership Conference draws veterinarians from across the U.S. for education sessions that help develop leaders for the veterinary profession. Adult cats need shots less often, usually every year or every 3 years, depending on how long a vaccine is designed to last. Fever, lethargy, reduced appetite, and swelling are all common. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)Glucose (a type of sugar) is needed to fuel cells in a cats body, especially in the brain. All rights reserved. Booster shots are additional shots that will maintain your cats safety against those deadly diseases as the initial protection from his earlier vaccines gets weaker. If your cat seems to have undergone a complete personality transformation, seek further guidance from a vet. Dr. Debra, Recently, my kitten (2 months old) had her first installment of vaccinations. 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. Cat booster shots In addition, vaccines can cause allergic reactions. Young kittens in multicat households (eg, breeding households) are most likely to be affected and there may also be mild upper respiratory signs. 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. 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. An article that might be helpful to you is Dealing with Cats that Wont Eat. Many cats experience mild side effects after vaccination like fever, lethargy, swelling and reduced energy. UTIs in Cats (Urinary Tract Infections in Cats). However, these adverse effects should subside after 24 to 48 hours. This is only a concern if it does not quickly recover. They can also strengthen theirimmune system. When the underlying cause can be successfully treated, the lethargy should resolve as well. In the early stages the affected cat may suffer from lethargy and pain in the affected area. Fever, lethargy, reduced appetite, and swelling are all common. WebCan your cats personality change after a vaccination? So there you have it everything you need to know about cat vaccinations to keep your pet safe from super preventable diseases. Future vaccine recommendation will be based on the cat's lifestyle.Feline leukemia cannot be cured, so prevention is a priority. Mild signs, such as tiredness, mild fever, and decreased appetite, may be present for a short time. Contact your veterinarian if you have a lethargic kitten. The viruses are often transmitted by direct or close contact between cats (eg, in sneezed droplets), but they may also survive for short periods in the environment. Vaccination against this virus is highly effective and has a critical role in protecting cats against infection, especially as the virus is highly contagious. 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. When to give vaccines. Recommendations for treatment or additional diagnostic testing will be based on the specifics of your cats case and the results of their initial workup. Cats heading into stressful situations, such as boarding, may benefit from a core vaccine booster 7-10 days before. This tumor would need to be removed, and this is not easy around the neck. Fever, lethargy, reduced appetite, and swelling are all common. Feline herpesvirus, also known asfeline rhinotracheitis virus, causes severe signs of upper respiratory infection. In this stage, a rabid cat will usually exhibit changes in behavior that aren't typical for their personality: A shy cat can become Heres What You Should Know! Lethargic and Losing WeightA poor appetite can lead to weight loss, but so can diseases like hyperthyroidism or diabetes, even if your cat is eating well. When a cat is bitten by another cat, an infection is likely to develop. Recent vaccinationCats may be lethargic for a day or two as their immune system responds to vaccination. The cost of your cats vaccines will vary depending on where you get them done. After an incubation stage, clinical signs of aggression, disorientation, and death rapidly progress. There are some risks and side effects associated with cat vaccination. Lethargy After vaccination, it is normal for your pet to exhibit a few symptoms like fever, lameness, swelling, and 2. 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. The same thing can happen to people. For further information on FeLV, seeFeline leukaemia virus. This happens because the immune response generated by a vaccine can make cats feel tired, achy, and generally unwell. Dehydration and electrolyte abnormalitiesWater and appropriate electrolyte levels are essential for a cats body to produce energy and function normally. Vaccination can and do affect a cats behavior. Can you give me any feedback on your impressions and how I need to proceed with continued love and care for my little one? If your cat gets outside, you want to make sure they areprotected. A vaccination against rabies would usually happen in the right back leg, while a vaccination for FVCRP would happen in the right front leg. 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. However, if you see any severe reactions like swollen eyes or face, breathing difficulty, diarrhea or collapse, you should report to the veterinarian. 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. When a cat is bitten by another cat, an infection is likely to develop. The FeLV vaccine is tricky because it is required for kittens but optional for cats that are at least a year old. Vaccination is very effective in preventing disease. (The exact requirements will depend on the vaccine, so always make sure to walk through your kittens vaccine schedule with your vet.) There is always risk involved in vaccinating a cat. 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. The journal Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica has stated that instances remain as low as 1 in 10,000. This usually takes a day. Many illnesses will also make a cat lethargic, so its quite likely that a sick or recently vaccinated cat will be lethargic. These are perfectly normal although it can be disconcerting to see your happy cat lack his usual vigor. WebMany pet owners and some animal scientists believe that we are over vaccinating our pets. Vaccination causes a chemical reaction in the cats brain that lasts 24-48 hours. Click Yes to help us continue to make these improvements. If in doubt, wait for 30-60 minutes following vaccination before taking your pet home. Sneezing, mild coughing, "snotty nose" or other respiratory signs may occur 2-5 days after your pet receives an intranasal vaccine. Diarrhea is also a possibility for the same reasons. We took her to our vet. Cat booster shots Try to assess the cats condition if it is not eating. Here at MyCuteAnimals.com we cover everything from training, care, health, nutrition, breeds, products, and much more. Cats can be allergic to anything. Rabies vaccination is given every year or every three years, depending on state laws and the brand of vaccine used. Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)vaccination is available in some, but not all counties. Feline vaccinations are commonly administered by injection, typically behind the legs. This is because the immune system has started reacting to the vaccine. Lethargy After vaccination, it is normal for your pet to exhibit a few symptoms like fever, lameness, swelling, and 2. 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. The first one is called the prodromal stage. A cats body will go through an adjustment after a vaccine is administered. Is she eating? For example, fleas may remove so much blood from cats that they become anemic. 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 They divide cat vaccines into two categories: Core vaccines are those recommended for all cats, no matter where they live or under what conditions. I'm experienced in all cat health-related matters, behavioral issues, grooming techniques, and general pet care. WebThere are usually three distinctive stages with rabies in cats. However, based on most recent data, the Vaccine Advisory Panel recommends that subsequent vaccines may be administered based on risk: yearly for high-risk cats, and every two years for lower-risk cats. This allows them to identify one another. They protect against: The feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia vaccinations often come in a combination shot (FVRCP), which is sometimes called the distemper shot.. Every topic on our website is thoroughly researched and professionally written. A loss of appetite is a common side effect of vaccinations. The vaccine wont prevent the disease, but it will keep your kitty from getting very sick from it. We use cookies to improve our website to make sure you have a better browsing experience. Rare vaccine side effects In very rare circumstances, a vaccine can cause a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).