We also discuss common cat vaccination concerns to help pet owners determine what they should expect. 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. Feline herpesvirus, also known asfeline rhinotracheitis virus, causes severe signs of upper respiratory infection. There are so many possibilities of what it could be. This allows them to identify one another. For these reasons, where rabies is present in a country or in a region, it is recommended that all cats should be vaccinated against this disease. Vaccinations All rights reserved. Get best-in-class CE in some of your favorite cities. While cat vaccinations generally have no serious side effects, some people report changes in their poochs behavior after getting vaccinated. In the early stages the affected cat may suffer from lethargy and pain in the affected area. When it comes to medicine, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Cats heading into stressful situations, such as boarding, may benefit from a core vaccine booster 7-10 days before. Cat vaccines protect pets against fatal and infectious feline diseases, keeping them healthy and living longer. Bordetella: Cats who go to the groomer or stay at a kennel may get vaccinated for this infection that spreads quickly in spaces where there are lots of animals. This should go away on its own in 2-3 days as the symptoms ease. These reactions are generally treated with antihistamines and steroids. It is not entirely clear why cats experience FISS. But is it possible for vaccines to alter a cats personality? It is common for pets to experience some or all of the following mild side effects after receiving a vaccine, usually starting within hours of the vaccination. Its easy to be overwhelmed when you hear conflicting information about whether your cat needs them and the adverse effects they may have. However, if you see any severe reactions like swollen eyes or face, breathing difficulty, diarrhea or collapse, you should report to the veterinarian. But usually, these behavioral changes are temporary in nature. If your elderly cat has a chronic illness, then you should avoid vaccination. What You Need to Know About Rabies Vaccines for Cats. The same thing can happen to people. 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. You should always discuss with your vet what vaccines your own cat may require. Liver and kidney diseaseWaste products build up when these organs fail, which disrupts normal chemical processes and makes cats feel terrible. The most commonly reported problem in cats is sleeping. 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. In many cases, lethargy is the bodys way of conserving energy to fight off illness or heal from injury. 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. Cat Diseases: What Is Bobcat Fever and Why Is It Deadly to Cats? The first one is called the prodromal stage. This was due to the flexibility of the skin in this area. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. WebSome cats will develop a mild reaction that may last for a few days to a week after the vaccination. If they are outdoor or indoor/outdoor, or they are young cats or seniors, your vet may recommend yearly FVRCP shots. Vaccine Related Sarcomas Adverse effects from vaccines are very rare, especially in view of the millions of doses that are administered every year. A lethargic cat can look a lot like a tired cat, but there is an important difference. He told us she had a screw loose and that she had a shot knot. Behavior change in a kitten after vaccination Seefeline herpes virusandfeline calicivirus. If your cat is still unwell 48 hours after its vaccination, then you should call your vet for advice. After coming home, your cats may seem like total strangers. Vaccinating your cat 6 Challenges of Owning a Cat You Need to Know, Changes In Cat Behaviour After Vet Visit? Some people are tempted to use homoeopathic vaccines or may have these recommended by a friend. However, vaccination is essential for his health and your familys safety. Stay current on important veterinary news, AVMA activities, and member services. Many factors affect the likelihood of a cat developing an infectious disease. These treatments can aggravate problems with the heart and kidneys. 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. Vaccines are medication and like other medical treatments, have their own potential adverse effects. He gave her a shot of cortizone. The Cat Gallery has partnered with International Cat Care to host the charitys online shop and manage the distribution of shop bought goods to customers. A vaccine is usually given by an injection under the skin, although sometimes may be given as drops into the eyes or nose. Check the requirements in your state using this table compiled by the American Veterinary Medical Association. It is normal for your cat to experience mild symptoms ranging from soreness at the site of injection to fever, lethargy and allergic reactions. Traumatic injuriesSignificant trauma leads to pain, and healing requires extra energy. Cat By clicking Subscribe, I agree to the WebMD, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Smoking Pot Every Day Linked to Heart Risks, Artificial Sweetener Linked to Heart Risks, FDA Authorizes First At-Home Test for COVID and Flu, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox, Panleukopenia (also known as feline distemper). 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. She started to get more aggressive. Some cats are temporarily different or never quite the same after vaccination. He told us she had a screw loose and that she had a shot knot. These are perfectly normal although it can be disconcerting to see your happy cat lack his usual vigor. In this stage, a rabid cat will usually exhibit changes in behavior that aren't typical for their personality: A shy cat can become While most cats behave normally after vaccination, it is common Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)Glucose (a type of sugar) is needed to fuel cells in a cats body, especially in the brain. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Then the next day I called him back because Rabies is an important disease and although it is more common in dogs (and more commonly passed from dogs to humans than cats to humans) cats can be infected and can be a source of human infection. The effects are similar to human babies who become lethargic, cranky and even get fever after getting their shots. As the cat receives its shot, its body starts adapting to the vaccine, causing some changes in the body and function. Fever, lethargy, reduced appetite, and swelling are all common. Then the next day I called him back because Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Feline viral rhinotracheitis (aka feline herpes virus): a disease that affects your cats upper respiratory system and sometimes his eyes, Feline calicivirus: a disease that causes respiratory infections and oral diseases, Feline panleukopenia virus: a disease that dangerously lowers your cats white blood cell count. This is only a concern if it does not quickly recover. One type of cancer in cats, for example, is known to be caused by vaccinations. Heres What You Should Know! (The exact requirements will depend on the vaccine, so always make sure to walk through your kittens vaccine schedule with your vet.) In some cases, affected kittens may develop pneumonia. (The exact requirements will depend on the vaccine, so always make sure to walk through your kittens vaccine schedule with your vet.) A cats immune system starts to adapt following a vaccine, which means that a cat may feel sick. CancerDifferent types of cancer affect cats in distinct ways, but lethargy is a common clinical sign. A feline that has been vaccinated will want to be on its own to get some sleep for several hours. after Vaccinations 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. Feline panleukopenia, also known asfeline parvovirus, is a highly infectious disease with a high mortality rate in kittens. We use cookies to improve our website to make sure you have a better browsing experience. Cats can react badly to vaccines, which is an unavoidable side effect of the process. The FeLV vaccine is recommended as core for kittens. Older cats have weaker immune systems and are more prone to illness. Among the behavioral changes that you can see in your cat are lethargy, aggression, and fear. How To Euthanize A Cat With Over The Counter Drugs? A loss of appetite is a common side effect of vaccinations. Dr. Debra, Recently, my kitten (2 months old) had her first installment of vaccinations. Young kittens in multicat households (eg, breeding households) are most likely to be affected and there may also be mild upper respiratory signs. He gave her a shot of cortizone. Recommendations for treatment or additional diagnostic testing will be based on the specifics of your cats case and the results of their initial workup. Vaccination against this virus is highly effective and has a critical role in protecting cats against infection, especially as the virus is highly contagious. A Complete Guide, 10 Fun Facts About Cat Teeth You Probably Didnt Know Until Now, Interrupted Labour In Cats UPDATED 2022 A Complete Guide, Cat Claw Growing Out of Pad? Indoor cats may also pick up bacteria and viruses when they stay at a kennel and if you bring a new cat home. A lot of cats will start their vaccines around 6 to 8 weeks old, and you can decide to either give your cat all the different types of shots he needs at once or stagger them out. If your cat has little energy or limping syndrome, the walk can feel like a long journey, especially for an older cat with joint problems or arthritis pain. He did not know what was wrong. Every topic on our website is thoroughly researched and professionally written. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I'm Richard, the lead writer for Senior Cat Wellness. I'm a proud owner of 5 adult cats (all adopted strays), including a senior cat who is now 20. I had then decided to take her to our local emergency vet clinic. He gave her a shot of cortizone. As a cat owner, you need to be aware of your pets fear at the clinic. The rabies virus targets your cats central nervous system, causing aggression, paralysis and coma. 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. WebSome cats will develop a mild reaction that may last for a few days to a week after the vaccination. The cost of your cats vaccines will vary depending on where you get them done. WebThe vaccine protocols that are being questioned are those for the core vaccines administered to adult dogs and cats. Cats withBordetella bronchispeticacan be treated effectively with appropriate antibiotics, and vaccination is not required in most cats. WebHow will your cat feel after receiving a vaccine? Affected cats typically show sneezing, nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, eye discharge, and mouth ulcers. Though rare, your cat may undergo a complete personality change. Lethargic cats often do sleep more than normal, but their lethargy remains unless the underlying problem is addressed. Vaccination can and do affect a cats behavior. Also, she wants to clean herself and tries to play like she used to. The virus also kills off white blood cells, leaving the young cats even more susceptible to secondary infections. This is a cancerous tumor that develops following inflammation around the site of the injection. 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). However, after that, the frequency of booster vaccinations may be only every 1-3 years depending on the vaccine, disease and risk of with the individual cat. 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. Another sign of FISS includes the lump exceeding 2cm in diameter, especially if it keeps growing. Affected cats can be treated successfully with appropriate antibiotics, but vaccination may be helpful in some circumstances as part of a control programme in an infected household, For further information onChlamydophila felis, seeChlamydophila felisinfection in cats. While the rabies vaccine is not listed as a core vaccine by the AAFP guidelines, it is required by law in most regions. 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. He told us she had a screw loose and that she had a shot knot. This tumor would need to be removed, and this is not easy around the neck. Cats Have a Reaction to Vaccinations It might be tempting to sit beside your pet to give him comfort. If your cat takes its vaccinations intranasally, it will sneeze and sniff for a while afterward. Rabies vaccination is given every year or every three years, depending on state laws and the brand of vaccine used. Here are the general cat vaccination guidelines to use as a starting point: Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. Your veterinarian can assess your cats risk of FeLV infection and decide on an appropriate vaccination schedule. There is always risk involved in vaccinating a cat. Cat Vaccination If your cat seems to have undergone a complete personality transformation, seek further guidance from a vet. All vaccines have to undergo rigorous safety and efficacy testing before they are licensed for use in cats by regulatory authorities. Lethargic and VomitingVomiting is seen with problems directly affecting the digestive tract (inflammatory bowel disease, for example) and metabolic diseases like diabetes or kidney failure. Dog Ate Uncooked Rice? Cats dont actually have nine lives, so you need to do what you can to protect them. In the vast majority of cases, your cat will feel fine and you wont notice any change in their behavior. Goodness, this sounds like a very complicated case. Many illnesses will also make a cat lethargic, so its quite likely that a sick or recently vaccinated cat will be lethargic. The virus can also survive for long periods in the environment so vaccination is the only real way to protect cats. Fever, lethargy, reduced appetite, and swelling are all common. 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. This is more likely for older cats with arthritis or joint pain. 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. Cats that have this vaccination often experience stiffened joints. Cat Behavior After Vaccination A Complete Guide. Tell any children in the home not to disturb your cat. WebThere are usually three distinctive stages with rabies in cats. WebDecreased appetite and activity. A number of other vaccines may be available in certain countries but not others. 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. Do they seem drowsy or out of it? Are they not interested in whats going on around them? They should be left alone to rest and you should see improvement in their condition in a few hours. Feline vaccinations are commonly administered by injection, typically behind the legs. 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. Dr. Debra, Recently, my kitten (2 months old) had her first installment of vaccinations. In comparison, healthy kittens are never lethargic. This will naturally make them more lethargic. Cats can have vaccine reactions but they are relatively uncommon and do not present like this. At the vet, do your best to soothe your pet and put minimal restraint on him. 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. Now, I am here on the internet trying to get answers. Dehydration and electrolyte abnormalitiesWater and appropriate electrolyte levels are essential for a cats body to produce energy and function normally. The panel comprisesdedicated feline veterinarians and scientists and is regarded as a reputable source of cat vaccination standards. After an incubation stage, clinical signs of aggression, disorientation, and death rapidly progress. WebCan your cats personality change after a vaccination? All rights reserved. In the early stages the affected cat may suffer from lethargy and pain in the affected area. Mild signs, such as tiredness, mild fever, and decreased appetite, may be present for a short time. Some streaming from the eyes and nose may also follow. It should start to disappear within a couple weeks. 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. Many cats experience mild side effects after vaccination like fever, lethargy, swelling and reduced energy. **Click here to see the full list of Ask Dr. Debra Questions and Answers! Most cats want to sleep for a few hours after getting their shot. Senior cats may slow down a bit more, but extreme or sudden changes are usually a sign of a health problem. Poisoning or envenomationToxins and venomous stings or bites can cause pain, damage tissues, and disrupt normal physiologic functions. She started to get more aggressive. Start your day with heartwarming and hilarious animal stories that will make you fall in love. When used appropriately and as recommended they are both safe and provide crucial protection for cats against a number of diseases. Talk to your veterinarian if your cats lethargy worsens or fails to improve in a day or two. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. However, in colonies of cats with repeated outbreaks of disease, vaccination may play a role in helping protect cats. Independence America Holdings Corp. All Rights Reserved. WebDecreased appetite and activity. There are some clinics that will vaccinate your cat for free. Your cat may need extra shots depending on how much time they spendoutside, how often they arearound other cats, and the diseases that are common in your area. FISS can cause a cancerous tumor at the site of the vaccination. All vaccines have the potential to cause side effects in cats. 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.
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