I had then decided to take her to our local emergency vet clinic. Many pet owners report their cats not eating after getting their vaccines. WebLow energy (lethargy) Eating less Sleeping more Fever (high temperature) Mild swelling around the vaccine site that disappears in two - six weeks. Traumatic injuriesSignificant trauma leads to pain, and healing requires extra energy. Other vaccines are regarded as non-core and used when vaccination would provide valuable protection for an individual cat. 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). Vaccines are medication and like other medical treatments, have their own potential adverse effects. Anemia (low red blood cell count)A cats body needs the oxygen that red blood cells carry to make energy. 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. 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. Then the next day I called him back because I'm experienced in all cat health-related matters, behavioral issues, grooming techniques, and general pet care. We took her to our vet. After getting injected with a vaccine, you may also experience the same symptoms. Better yet, schedule routine visits to the clinic so that you can bring your cats together. Recently, my kitten (2 months old) had her first installment of vaccinations. Id encourage her to eat hand feed her, give her some smelling food, whatever it takes to get her to eat. However, it is not a concern if the cat gets better with time and recovers in a few hours. Treatment for lethargy in cats is directed at finding and resolving the underlying cause. Understand that your cat is still in recovery and that he may not be his usual self. A cat that does not eat for more than 24 hours is a matter of concern. WebDecreased appetite and activity. Ultimately, cat owners should work with their veterinarians to limit the stress associated with visiting a clinic. In comparison, healthy kittens are never lethargic. Many illnesses will also make a cat lethargic, so its quite likely that a sick or recently vaccinated cat will be lethargic. Copyright 1999 - 2023. After a few days, you can expect your pet to revert to his true personality. 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. Vaccination can and do affect a cats behavior. You should note all the changes you see in the cats behavior and find the pattern. It should start to disappear within a couple weeks. Vaccines are medication and like other medical treatments, have their own potential adverse effects. These side effects are short-term and should subside on their own. 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 Cats that struggle with this side effect bounce back as quickly as they experienced the issue. It might be tempting to sit beside your pet to give him comfort. The bacterium can also be an occasional cause of pneumonia in young kittens. For more information, please see ourPrivacy Policy. If you see your cat shivering after vaccination, it can be from the pain or swelling at the injection site. Fever, lethargy, reduced appetite, and swelling are all common. Basic lab work will often be needed as well. Owners should not get concerned if their cat starts acting strange after vaccination. A number of other vaccines may be available in certain countries but not others. Whether you have a kitten or an adult cat, your vet can help you figure out which vaccines are best and how often your kitty should get shots. As the cat receives its shot, its body starts adapting to the vaccine, causing some changes in the body and function. 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. With FHV-1, even after the initial signs subside, most cats will remain permanently infected with the virus and some go on to develop recurrent eye infections or other signs. This can even happen to cats that have bonded quite well. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. WebMany pet owners and some animal scientists believe that we are over vaccinating our pets. Limping syndrome in cats is a temporary problem. WebThe vaccine protocols that are being questioned are those for the core vaccines administered to adult dogs and 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. But some cats will behave differently. This happens because the immune response generated by a vaccine can make cats feel tired, achy, and generally unwell. A cat can have an allergic reaction to a vaccination. Since then we noticed her behavior changed. He gave her a shot of cortizone. 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. It may also run a high fever. Lethargic and DroolingDiseases or injuries affecting the mouth are common causes of drooling, and they can cause lethargy too. Talk to your veterinarian if your cats lethargy worsens or fails to improve in a day or two. In addition, vaccines can cause allergic reactions. He gave her a shot of cortizone. Some cats are temporarily different or never quite the same after vaccination. Feline panleukopenia, also known asfeline parvovirus, is a highly infectious disease with a high mortality rate in kittens. Feline vaccinations are commonly administered by injection, typically behind the legs. 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. WebLow energy (lethargy) Eating less Sleeping more Fever (high temperature) Mild swelling around the vaccine site that disappears in two - six weeks. All our advice is freely accessible to everyone, wherever you are in the world. Feline herpesvirus, also known asfeline rhinotracheitis virus, causes severe signs of upper respiratory infection. Contact your veterinarian if you have a lethargic kitten. Vaccines are necessary for most cats, especially those that spend most of their time outdoors. Cats dont actually have nine lives, so you need to do what you can to protect them. Now, I am here on the internet trying to get answers. Find whether it does not have an appetite or it is not willing to walk to its bowl. When used appropriately and as recommended they are both safe and provide crucial protection for cats against a number of diseases. More serious, but less common side effects, such as allergic reactions, may occur within minutes to hours after vaccination. 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.. Click Yes to help us continue to make these improvements. Rabies is endemic worldwide, and the vaccine is recommended for all pet cats. Call your veterinarian immediately if your cat is extremely lethargic or if their lethargy occurs in combination with other serious symptoms like difficulty breathing or severe vomiting or diarrhea. Cat Personality Changes After Vaccination. Also, she wants to clean herself and tries to play like she used to. Your vet may prescribe a feline-safe painkiller. In comparison, healthy kittens are never lethargic. 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. This can manifest in the form of aggression or clinginess. In the vast majority of cases, your cat will feel fine and you wont notice any change in their behavior. Vaccines are medication and like other medical treatments, have their own potential adverse effects. 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. They could even react to the rubber gloves that your vet wears to administer the vaccine. It should start to disappear within a couple weeks. Cat Behavior After Vaccination A Complete Guide. Cats lack the fat reserves to sustain them. Diarrhea is also a possibility for the same reasons. Outbreaks of infection with this virus are common and a high proportion of affected cats can die. 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. She started to get more aggressive. This happens because the immune response generated by a vaccine can make cats feel tired, achy, and generally unwell. He did not know what was wrong. WebBordetella: 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. Vaccination against this virus is highly effective and has a critical role in protecting cats against infection, especially as the virus is highly contagious. 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Before going to the vet, it is a good idea to prepare a warm and cozy place for your cat. He told us she had a screw loose and that she had a shot knot. So, it was with a heavy heart I had to leave again without an answer. They also think that some shots may be doing more harm than good. WebBordetella: 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. But for cats who are older than 1 year and are at low risk of exposure, the FeLV vaccine is considered a non-core vaccine. Lethargic and WobblyCats who are wobbly could be suffering from a neurologic problem or metabolic disease, or they could simply be very weak. After an incubation stage, clinical signs of aggression, disorientation, and death rapidly progress. She stayed there and then was released. While the rabies vaccine is not listed as a core vaccine by the AAFP guidelines, it is required by law in most regions.