The cat was lethargic and she was limping on her right rear leg. He started getting back to his normal playful self around 9pm. Two or three injections are recommended in kittens, starting at around 8 weeks of age. Lethargy or anorexia in cats, as a vaccination side-effect, usually appears as a consequence of fever. If they do not subside within this time frame, call your veterinarian. Limping. Thanks for your help. by: Anonymous My kitten is just 10 weeks old and I took him for his second dose of the distemper shot. Before stored fat can be used for fuel, it must be processed by the liver. Disclaimer: This website is not intended to replace professional advice / treatment by a licensed veterinarian. Doesn't eat normal and doesn't drink water like she use to. I'd love to hear what you think of this page or my site. When to give vaccines. Visit whiskerDocs for answers to your pet care questions. FYI: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. My Question - Why is my cat lethargic after getting his shot? This type of reaction occurs to some degree almost every time a cat gets vaccinated. Typically, these reactions happen quickly after a vaccine, within a few minutes or hours. Kittens should start getting vaccinations when they are 6 to 8 weeks old until they are about 16 weeks old. The ASPCA reports that while most cats do not feel sick after getting shots, some mild side effects are not entirely uncommon. every year after she got her booster shots she was very lethargic for a couple of days afterwards, it was almost like she had the flu.  Kittens vaccinated against calici virus may develop a fever and limping approximately 1 week after vaccination. Fortunately, reactions to vaccines are very uncommon in cats. Keep in mind that getting vaccinated is much safer than getting the diseases vaccines prevent. This is similar to human babies who often are cranky, lethargic, and even feverish after vaccines. Organ Damage: A protein in the rabies vaccine can sometimes damage a cat's liver, kidneys and nervous system. Very rarely do more serious reactions occur. Vaccines work by stimulating the body's immune system to recognize and fight a particular microorganism such as a virus, bacteria, or other infectious organism. Organ damage can develop up to 45 days after a cat receives the vaccine. She had been eating a little bit of food on her own. If the swelling lasts longer than 3 weeks or appears to get larger or more painful, contact your veterinarian. I personally do not charge extra for having the 2 visits instead of one so that finances will not be a factor in this decision. But since weve taken her t… These mild effects typically subside within a few days. Yesterday she had the RHINO/CAL/DIST/CHLAM VACCINE AND the ANNUAL FELINE LEUKEMIA VACCINE. If not, you should call your vet. Cat Lethargic after Vaccinations 2 yr old Moses, male Lynx Point Siamese has been sleeping most of the 48 hrs since his shots 2 days ago; eating though, wants petting and going outside for a few minutes a couple times a day but sleeping remainder of the time which is about 25%-40% more than his usual sleep pattern in winter. Very rare condition but does happen to a small percentage of cats! This is most commonly seen with the use of the panleuopenia (distemper) vaccine in cats. It usually goes away in 24 to 36 hours so by the time you're reading this, she should be fine. To give your cat just the core vaccines would be prudent, and to give your cat all the available vaccines may be excessive. It should only last for a few days if not contact your vet.  Subscribe to our whiskerDocs Newsletter. Appetite loss is by no means the only reaction a cat may experience after a vaccine. (The FelV shot also included a tracheitis and one other disease which escapes me now)He is eating and going to the washroom okay, be he's just..slow today. In fact, side effects of rabies vaccines in cats are very rare. If you require any veterinary related advice, contact your veterinarian promptly. When animals dont eat enough, they must rely on their fat reserves for energy. It is not uncommon at all that kittens/cats are lethargic and lose their appetite after vaccinations. Vaccines are a standard and essential aspect of helping to keep your puppy healthy. Veterinarians routinely recommend certain vaccines for all cats (called core vaccines) whereas others are used more selectively according to the cat's environment and lifestyle. What if I feel sick after getting vaccinated? My cat was the same. This type of reaction occurs to some degree almost every time a cat gets vaccinated. There can be no disputing that vaccines save lives but they also have the potential to cause serious side effects which will be discussed on this webpage.Before we get started on this discussion, it is important to understand that there is no single vaccine protocol t… It is not unusual when you consider that vaccination is a small dose of an actual illness so it is not surprising that for some cats they react differently to the shot as their body tries to combat the possible illness. Your information is safe and secure with us; please read out privacy policy for more details. Your pup will need careful monitoring and possibly a trip back to the vet. How wrong she was!! Disclaimer: This website is not intended to replace professional advice / treatment by a licensed veterinarian. Learn more about vaccine safety. Common vaccine side effects. Thanks, Back to the top of this why is my cat lethargic after getting his shots page. Wonder if that vet gave her a canine shot? He ate early in the morning but vomited then around 10:30am and again at noon and again around 2 plus he slept almost the whole day. Click here for guidance from our team of veterinary telehealth specialists on how the COVID-19 coronavirus can impact you and your pets. However, you should still be on the lookout for the following symptoms that might indicate negative side effects from a cat vaccine: Fever; Severe lethargy; Loss of appetite; Vomiting; Diarrhea I jokingly asked if she could put a small sedative in there and she replied obviously that no but this wouldn't do anything to him. Kittens are borne with a problem called cerebellar hypoplasia, which results in an inability to maintain balance. Even after vaccination increases, say Bar-Zeev and other experts, preventive behaviors will still be needed. every year after she got her booster shots she was very lethargic for a couple of days afterwards, it was almost like she had the flu. Yes, I'm sorry if they didn't tell you to expect a reaction such as that. Mild reactions, including a slight fever, lethargy, decreased appetite, and localized swelling at the vaccination site may start within hours after vaccination and usually subside within a few days. First visit (6 to … Nothing but clear and foamy came up. Sudden paralysis of the hind end. These side effects should be short-term. Once again, we suggest giving your cat a chance to rest, not forcing it to eat if it doesn't want to. If your kitty's reaction turns out to be longer or more severe than normal, you may want to talk to your veterinarian about separating the vaccines next time. We took her to a vet and they found nothing it could be. Vaccination for FCV is important for all cats. Although we look forward to having vaccines available in the near future, there are numerous reasons we still need to wear masks even after vaccines become available. 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