I'm experienced in all cat health-related matters, behavioral issues, grooming techniques, and general pet care. 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. When it comes to medicine, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. 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. Vaccines that are appropriate for some cats in some circumstances are considered noncore vaccines (or lifestyle vaccines). The most commonly available vaccines are used to provide protection against the following infections: Vaccines can be divided into core vaccines and non-core vaccines. Treatment for lethargy in cats is directed at finding and resolving the underlying cause. There is always risk involved in vaccinating a cat. 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. While the rabies vaccine is not listed as a core vaccine by the AAFP guidelines, it is required by law in most regions. WebAfter a vaccine, around one-in-ten cats experience a soft swelling at the injection site. Do Cats Understand Human Smiles And Facial Expressions? Again, this is normal behavior. Feline panleucopenia virus(also known as feline parvovirus or feline infectious enteritis) is a severe and frequently fatal cause of haemorrhagic gastroenteritis. JUMP TO: Core vaccines | Non-core vaccines | Vaccine costs | Vaccine schedule | Booster shots. In the vast majority of cases, your cat will feel fine and you wont notice any change in their behavior. Kittens and seniors tend to have fewer reserves and be a bit more fragile than adults in their prime, so lethargy may develop more quickly or be more severe in the very young or very old. The FeLV vaccine is recommended as core for kittens. This will give the other cats something familiar to smell in the recently vaccinated pet. It should start to disappear within a couple weeks. However, as a charity, we need your support to enable us to keep delivering high quality and up to date information for everyone. Woman Tries Every Day For A Month To Rescue This Dog. They could even react to the rubber gloves that your vet wears to administer the vaccine. If you see your cat shivering after vaccination, it can be from the pain or swelling at the injection site. The rabies vaccine is so important that its required by law, since the disease is fatal, highly contagious and transmissible to humans. If you go to the vet, you can probably expect an office visit charge in addition to the cost of the vaccine. However, it is not a concern if the cat gets better with time and recovers in a few hours. If your cat belongs to the second camp, there are a few things that you can do to make him feel better while recovering. Non-core vaccines are only given to cats if there is a genuine risk of exposure to the infection and if vaccination would provide good protection. 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. For further information on FIV, seeFeline immunodeficiency virus. Though rare, your cat may undergo a complete personality change. For example, fleas may remove so much blood from cats that they become anemic. These are perfectly normal although it can be disconcerting to see your happy cat lack his usual vigor. Cats that struggle with this side effect bounce back as quickly as they experienced the issue. Diarrhea is also a possibility for the same reasons. Some vaccines are recommended for all cats. This is because the cat that came from the vet smells differently that the other cat can no longer recognize the first cats scent. Also, many local and state governments have laws about vaccines like rabies. Then the next day I called him back because 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. Lethargic and Not Eating / DrinkingLike lethargy, not eating or drinking well are nonspecific clinical signs that are seen with many cat diseases. Vaccines and Vaccinations: Individual Animals Vaccines are medication and like other medical treatments, have their own potential adverse effects. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)Glucose (a type of sugar) is needed to fuel cells in a cats body, especially in the brain. 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. Feline panleukopenia, also known asfeline parvovirus, is a highly infectious disease with a high mortality rate in kittens. If your cat seems to have undergone a complete personality transformation, seek further guidance from a vet. In the early stages the affected cat may suffer from lethargy and pain in the affected area. 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. In addition, vaccines can cause allergic reactions. A feline that has been vaccinated will want to be on its own to get some sleep for several hours. Floating Ribs In Dogs Dog Rib Cage Protruding On One Side? But is it possible for vaccines to alter a cats personality? Vaccination causes a chemical reaction in the cats brain that lasts 24-48 hours. If it persists more than three weeks, or seems to be getting larger, you should contact your veterinarian. In addition, vaccines can cause allergic reactions. A loss of appetite is a common side effect of vaccinations. There is always risk involved in vaccinating a cat. 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. I'm a proud owner of 5 adult cats (all adopted strays), including a senior cat who is now 20. Some cats are allergic to vaccines. 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 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. While cat vaccinations generally have no serious side effects, some people report changes in their poochs behavior after getting vaccinated. 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. UTIs in Cats (Urinary Tract Infections in Cats). The same isnt true for lethargy. You can discuss all these issues with your vet. Cat Vaccination In the vast majority of cases, your cat will feel fine and you wont notice any change in their behavior. For example, cats that have just been vaccinated are often lethargic. 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. All vaccines have the potential to cause side effects in cats. Your vet may prescribe a feline-safe painkiller. Traumatic injuriesSignificant trauma leads to pain, and healing requires extra energy. The virus also kills off white blood cells, leaving the young cats even more susceptible to secondary infections. This is more likely for older cats with arthritis or joint pain. 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. Recommendations for treatment or additional diagnostic testing will be based on the specifics of your cats case and the results of their initial workup. A cat that does not eat for more than 24 hours is a matter of concern. However, as with any other product, no vaccine can ever be entirely without side effects so it is important to carefully choose which vaccines are necessary for any individual cat and to evaluate how frequently they should be given. Get best-in-class CE in some of your favorite cities. Cat Vaccinations Some cats may also have trouble walking and experience stomach upsets. These reactions can be life-threatening and are medical emergencies. 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. Many illnesses will also make a cat lethargic, so its quite likely that a sick or recently vaccinated cat will be lethargic. WebMany pet owners and some animal scientists believe that we are over vaccinating our pets. From time to time, check on your cat. Core vaccines for cats are: The FVRCP vaccine is a combination vaccine to protect your cat from three pretty serious diseases: These diseases can affect things like your cats respiratory system and white blood cell count. Press Enter / Return to begin your search. Cat Lethargic and Limping After a Vaccine After a few days, you can expect your pet to revert to his true personality. Adverse effects from vaccines are very rare, especially in view of the millions of doses that are administered every year. As the cat receives its shot, its body starts adapting to the vaccine, causing some changes in the body and function. Your cats lifestyle and geographic location will help you and your vet determine whether or not he needs a non-core vaccine. Cat I have noticed she is not seeing very well but can hear us call her and will follow our calls. 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.. As a cat receives a shot, its immune system responds to the antibodies, causing it to look sick and uneasy. As the cat receives its shot, its body starts adapting to the vaccine, causing some changes in the body and function. 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. Cat Diseases: What Is Bobcat Fever and Why Is It Deadly to Cats? PainIts difficult for a cat to move around or be interested in much of anything if they are in moderate to severe pain. Talk to your veterinarian if your cats lethargy does not improve. It should start to disappear within a couple weeks. If your kitten or senior cat becomes lethargic, contact your veterinarian right away. WebAfter a vaccine, around one-in-ten cats experience a soft swelling at the injection site. The side effect that has received the most attention in recent years is fibrosarcoma this is a type of malignant tumour that can develop at the site of vaccination. FCV is thought to be associated with chronicgingivitis/stomatitis, a very painful inflammation of the gums and teeth. Watch out for symptoms like diarrhea, collapse, and breathing difficulties. A small, firm swelling under the skin may develop at the site of a recent vaccination. WebThere are usually three distinctive stages with rabies in cats. Seefeline herpes virusandfeline calicivirus. Heres What It Means, Cat Behavior After Vaccination A Complete Guide. However, these adverse effects should subside after 24 to 48 hours. Vaccines and Vaccinations: Individual Animals It should start to disappear within a couple weeks. It is normal for your cat to experience mild symptoms ranging from soreness at the site of injection to fever, lethargy and allergic reactions. FeLV is an important disease, causing a wide variety of problems in persistently infected cats including immunosuppression, anaemia, and lymphoma. After an incubation stage, clinical signs of aggression, disorientation, and death rapidly progress. Lethargy can be defined as an abnormal decrease in a cats activity level and alertness. In some cases, it also causes oral ulceration andpneumonia. However, it is normal for cats to feel ill for a few hours or days after vaccination. Their guidelines, published by theAmerican Association of Feline Practitioners, are among the most trusted and utilized recommendations in the field. 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. This should go away on its own in 2-3 days as the symptoms ease. These diseases are highly infectious and seen worldwide. Vaccination against this virus is highly effective and has a critical role in protecting cats against infection, especially as the virus is highly contagious. He did not know what was wrong. Ultimately, cat owners should work with their veterinarians to limit the stress associated with visiting a clinic. 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.