For more information, please see ourPrivacy Policy. Limping This reaction mainly affects young kittens, usually at their first vaccination. Many illnesses will also make a cat lethargic, so its quite likely that a sick or recently vaccinated cat will be lethargic. After an incubation stage, clinical signs of aggression, disorientation, and death rapidly progress. 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. WebHow will your cat feel after receiving a vaccine? 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. These reactions are generally treated with antihistamines and steroids. Most cats want to sleep for a few hours after getting their shot. 2022 MyCuteAnimals. Lethargic cats often do sleep more than normal, but their lethargy remains unless the underlying problem is addressed. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. A number of other vaccines may be available in certain countries but not others. The virus can also survive for long periods in the environment so vaccination is the only real way to protect cats. The core vaccines are considered essential for all cats (including indoor-only cats) because of the widespread and/or severe nature of the diseases being protected against. 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. Cats can react badly to vaccines, which is an unavoidable side effect of the process. Neurologic disordersDisease or injury affecting the neurologic system, especially the brain, can lead to lethargy in cats. In addition, vaccines can cause allergic reactions. Is she running a fever? Stay current on important veterinary news, AVMA activities, and member services. Tiredness is a temporary state that resolves with rest or sleep. This normally lasts for around 48 hours. While the rabies vaccine is not listed as a core vaccine by the AAFP guidelines, it is required by law in most regions. After vaccination, some cats will go back to their routines as if nothing happened to them. On the other hand, you can give a cat that is only mildly lethargic and otherwise okay a little time to see if they return to normal on their own. 2023 SeniorCatWellness.com. Lethargic and WobblyCats who are wobbly could be suffering from a neurologic problem or metabolic disease, or they could simply be very weak. In the vast majority of cases, your cat will feel fine and you wont notice any change in their behavior. The first one is called the prodromal stage. 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. 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. More serious, but less common side effects, such as allergic reactions, may occur within minutes to hours after vaccination. Sneezing, mild coughing, "snotty nose" or other respiratory signs may occur 2-5 days after your pet receives an intranasal vaccine. Rabies is endemic worldwide, and the vaccine is recommended for all pet cats. In comparison, healthy kittens are never lethargic. At the vet, do your best to soothe your pet and put minimal restraint on him. Cat vaccines protect pets against fatal and infectious feline diseases, keeping them healthy and living longer. You can seek guidance and advice from your vet regarding such behavioral transformation. Cats can be allergic to anything. Some vaccines are recommended for all cats. If they are outdoor or indoor/outdoor, or they are young cats or seniors, your vet may recommend yearly FVRCP shots. Heres What It Means, Cat Behavior After Vaccination A Complete Guide. 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. 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. 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. Sometimes, a cat can become aggressive to their humans and other pets in the household after vaccination or even after a visit to the vet for other purposes. We use cookies to improve our website to make sure you have a better browsing experience. Diarrhea is also a possibility for the same reasons. However, these adverse effects should subside after 24 to 48 hours. Rabies is endemic worldwide, and the vaccine is recommended for all pet cats. As the cat receives its shot, its body starts adapting to the vaccine, causing some changes in the body and function. If the sarcoma that is caused by vaccination is not treated, it will continue to grow. Cats that have this vaccination often experience stiffened joints. As the cat receives its shot, its body starts adapting to the vaccine, causing some changes in the body and function. However, it is not a concern if the cat gets better with time and recovers in a few hours. 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. Heres What You Should Know! More marked side effects may include vomiting, diarrhoea, lameness, fever, signs of respiratory tract infection, or lumps at the site of injection. If your cat refuses to eat after getting a shot, you should not worry about it. Among the behavioral changes that you can see in your cat are lethargy, aggression, and fear. It should start to disappear within a couple weeks. In addition, vaccines can cause allergic reactions. 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. Lethargy After vaccination, it is normal for your pet to exhibit a few symptoms like fever, lameness, swelling, and 2. This will give the other cats something familiar to smell in the recently vaccinated pet. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Recently, my kitten (2 months old) had her first installment of vaccinations. WebSome cats will develop a mild reaction that may last for a few days to a week after the vaccination. The non-core costs range from $15 to $20 for the year. Certain medicationsLethargy can be a side effect of certain medications, including some anti-anxiety and pain-relieving medications commonly given to cats. You should call the vet for advice if your cat feels ill after 48 hours of vaccination. All vaccines have the potential to cause side effects in cats. An article that might be helpful to you is Dealing with Cats that Wont Eat. Dr. Debra, Recently, my kitten (2 months old) had her first installment of vaccinations. It might be tempting to sit beside your pet to give him comfort. Adult cats need shots less often, usually every year or every 3 years, depending on how long a vaccine is designed to last. Its advisable to get your cat inoculated if your cat roams outside. FISS can cause a cancerous tumor at the site of the vaccination. WebThe vaccine protocols that are being questioned are those for the core vaccines administered to adult dogs and cats. 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. Liver and kidney diseaseWaste products build up when these organs fail, which disrupts normal chemical processes and makes cats feel terrible. After coming home, your cats may seem like total strangers. If your cat does not show any such severe symptoms, you can wait for a few hours to see if it stops shivering. Start your day with heartwarming and hilarious animal stories that will make you fall in love. FeLV is an important disease, causing a wide variety of problems in persistently infected cats including immunosuppression, anaemia, and lymphoma. Some cats may also have trouble walking and experience stomach upsets. Commonly, your feline friend reacts to these side effects of vaccination with a strange behavior that may concern you. Even if you reside in a state that doesnt mandate rabies shots by law, it remains advisable. WebThere are usually three distinctive stages with rabies in cats. I just dont think putting her down without knowing exactly what she has is a reasonable option, but it seems to be the in thing to do these days. If your kitten or senior cat becomes lethargic, contact your veterinarian right away. 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. 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 rights reserved. On average, your cats core vaccines alone (without the office visit charge) can cost $40 to $80 for the first years worth of shots. 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. Then they must be boostered a year later.. You should note all the changes you see in the cats behavior and find the pattern. A number of FeLV vaccines are also available and are effective in protecting cats. 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. Cornell Feline Health Center: Feline Vaccines: Benefits and Risks., American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: Vaccinations for Your Pet., American Humane: Vaccinating Your Pet.. From time to time, check on your cat. So there you have it everything you need to know about cat vaccinations to keep your pet safe from super preventable diseases. WebAfter a vaccine, around one-in-ten cats experience a soft swelling at the injection site. Less common side effects include: Twitching Itchy skin Vomiting Diarrhoea Limping. 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. Do they seem drowsy or out of it? Are they not interested in whats going on around them? There are so many possibilities of what it could be. In the vast majority of cases, your cat will feel fine and you wont notice any change in their behavior. It may also run a high fever. Hi thanks for your email. In this stage, a rabid cat will usually exhibit changes in behavior that aren't typical for their personality: A shy cat can become This usually takes a day. WebAfter a vaccine, around one-in-ten cats experience a soft swelling at the injection site. Cats that stay at a boarding cattery will generally require an annual vaccination (or booster vaccine before the cat goes into the cattery) as this is a higher risk situation. Find whether it does not have an appetite or it is not willing to walk to its bowl. (The exact requirements will depend on the vaccine, so always make sure to walk through your kittens vaccine schedule with your vet.) Many cats are fortunate to go into a regressive state and appear perfectly healthy throughout their lives, but some do not fare as well. Now, I am here on the internet trying to get answers. Get the latest updates on your choice of veterinary topics delivered straight to your inbox. The same isnt true for lethargy. In recent years, the risk of Feline Injection Site Sarcoma (FISS) has become more of a concern. All rights reserved. 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. Since then we noticed her behavior changed. After an incubation stage, clinical signs of aggression, disorientation, and death rapidly progress. Any cat that has not eaten for 24 hours is a cause for concern. Mild signs, such as tiredness, mild fever, and decreased appetite, may be present for a short time. After a couple of days, he will bounce back to his normal self. All vaccines have the potential to cause side effects in cats. Anemia (low red blood cell count)A cats body needs the oxygen that red blood cells carry to make energy. She started to get more aggressive. 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. Lethargic and Not Eating / DrinkingLike lethargy, not eating or drinking well are nonspecific clinical signs that are seen with many cat diseases. Kittens should start getting vaccinations when they are 6 to 8 weeks old until they are about 16 weeks old. I dont know how long after the vaccines that the signs start. Youll need to make an informed decision about whether to vaccinate your cat based on the available medical evidence. After a few days, you can expect your pet to revert to his true personality. You need to ensure that your cat is left alone. A vet will offeressential vaccinations for your cat. Your vet always tells you how important it is to get your cat vaccinated, but you might still be wondering if its worth it. Technically, lethargy in cats is never normal, but it is sometimes expected. However, you do not have to worry much about your cat. You have to understand that cats that share a home pass each others scent to one another. A vaccine is usually given by an injection under the skin, although sometimes may be given as drops into the eyes or nose. Also, she wants to clean herself and tries to play like she used to. We took her to our vet. 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. Put simply, lethargy is a cat slowing down when they dont feel good. All vaccines have the potential to cause side effects in cats. 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. Such reactions can occur almost every time the cat gets a shot. Feline Distemper (Panleukopenia), Feline Herpesvirus (FHV-1), and Feline Calicivirus (FCV), These three vaccines are combined into one (FVCRP vaccine), Swelling around the location of the injection, Swelling around the face, eyes, mouth, and neck, Low blood pressure and decreased heart rate. He told us she had a screw loose and that she had a shot knot. Rabies is endemic worldwide, and the vaccine is recommended for all pet cats. Shots protect your cat from diseases caused by viruses and bacteria. Then the next day I called him back because 6 Challenges of Owning a Cat You Need to Know, Changes In Cat Behaviour After Vet Visit? Fever, lethargy, reduced appetite, and swelling are all common. This is because the immune system has started reacting to the vaccine. WebDecreased appetite and activity. Previously, many vets chose to administer shots to the neck. Some of the more virulent strains cause hair loss and crusting on other parts of the body, as well as hepatitis and even death. 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. The journal Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica has stated that instances remain as low as 1 in 10,000. Respiratory conditionsAnything that hinders the lungs ability to move oxygen into the bloodstream can lead to lethargy in cats. A loss of appetite is a common side effect of vaccinations. 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). In comparison, healthy kittens are never lethargic. Loss of appetite is a common side effect of vaccination in cats. The key? Black Spots, Gunk & Blackheads On Dog Nipples: What Do They Mean?? It sounds like your cat is having some neurologic symptoms that are very abnormal. They can also strengthen theirimmune system. 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. The disease can negatively impact your cats immune system or cause anemia or cancer. It should start to disappear within a couple weeks. How To Euthanize A Cat With Over The Counter Drugs? They also think that some shots may be doing more harm than good. Press Enter / Return to begin your search. Infection with FeLV is not an automatic death sentence. Rabiesis significant not only for its effect on the cat but because it is a disease that is transmissible to humans and can be fatal. The cat can behave strangely, get aggressive, show lethargy or refuse to eat. This can manifest in the form of aggression or clinginess. The rabies virus targets your cats central nervous system, causing aggression, paralysis and coma. Talk to your veterinarian if your cats lethargy worsens or fails to improve in a day or two. In more severe cases, your cat may require intravenous fluids and further observation. The same thing can happen to people. Senior cats may slow down a bit more, but extreme or sudden changes are usually a sign of a health problem. 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. If youre up too late, youll be tired the next day but will feel fine once you get some extra sleep. Some that may be available include: Vaccination is generally a very safe procedure that has substantially reduced the impact of several very serious diseases. Many cats experience mild side effects after vaccination like fever, lethargy, swelling and reduced energy. Let us try to understand whether it is normal for your cat to act strangely after getting a shot. The first one is called the prodromal stage. 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. 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. Some of these problems, like cancer, are more common as pets get older, but lethargy can strike cats at any age. 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. ParasitesParasites can pass on diseases and directly harm the body, leading to lethargy in cats. Copyright 1999 - 2023. It is not entirely clear why cats experience FISS. Your vet should examine the cat to determine whether it has developed a serious allergic reaction to the vaccine. A vet must assess a cat with a lump that persists for weeks after vaccination. Owners should not get concerned if their cat starts acting strange after vaccination. This is more likely for older cats with arthritis or joint pain. 1. WebDecreased appetite and activity. However, be aware that your cats appetite may not be normal during this period. When used appropriately and as recommended they are both safe and provide crucial protection for cats against a number of diseases. WebThe vaccine protocols that are being questioned are those for the core vaccines administered to adult dogs and cats. 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. All vaccines have the potential to cause side effects in cats. The availability of different vaccines will vary between different countries, because some diseases are not present everywhere, and because vaccines are not necessarily licensed (and therefore available) in every country. 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.