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Help–Should I worry?

Question:

My first cat would react similarly every time he would get his annual vaccinations, and it sometimes lasted a couple of days.  My two cats now seem to tolerate them fairly well demonstrating only mild irritability. It appears to be similar to others.  If you are concerned, call your vet and tell him what is happening, and don’t wait too long if you are not sure.  Besides, your vet knows what vaccinations were given, and he did prepare the instruction sheet. Take care. — by permission of Molly and Casper, the wonder kitties Cats seem to go on the principle that it never does any harm to ask for what they want.  J.W. Krutch

Response:

My 11 month old cat just got his shots for the first time today, and he’s acting sick.  He’s really lethargic and slightly irritable, and he acts like he’s miserable. The papers the vet gave me said he could be listless and have a temperature, but it said it would be "transient".  Has anyone else seen this reaction in their cat after vaccinations?  If it’s normal, how long should I expect it to last?  I know I should have asked the vet about all of this, but, since I’ve never heard of side effects from shots, and he didn’t say anything about it, it didn’t occur to me.  Can anyone tell me if or when I should start to be really concerned? Thanks, Malinda

Hi. Sorry to learn that your kitty had this reaction following vaccination. You noted that the kitty just got its vaccinations for the first time,  and this would suggest that what you observed was more likely a generalized reaction to the vaccinations rather than any immune hypersensitivity.   However, for a cat to receive its first kittenhood vaccinations at 11 months is much later than usual.  If indeed these were its first vaccinations, then the the lethargy and irritability that you noted could have originated from several sources.  One, if modified live vaccines were used, the agents in the vaccine will often undergo limited multiplication in your kitty.  While this vaccine multiplication normally does not cause outright disease, it may induce some fever and loss of appetite.  Two, killed vaccines contain adjuvants (irritating substances that enhance the cat’s immune response to the vaccine). If you kitty received a killed vaccine (like rabiesvirus or feline leukemia virus) than perhaps the irritation caused by the adjuvant is making the kitty to be reluctant to move for a day or two.   Third, since your kitty is 11 months old, there is some chance that it was infected earlier with one of the agents that is included in one of the vaccines, and that the cat’s immunity from this earlier natural infection is causing an immune hypersensitivity reaction.   Although any of the above is possible, I am inclined to believe that the most likely explanation is the first one.   Lethargy and irritability after vaccination is not uncommon, although many cats are not so affected.  Usually these signs will disappear within several days following vaccination and your kitty will become its normal self.   You mentioned shots, as in more than one type of vaccination.  The question is how many different vaccinations were given on the same day?  Since your kitty did not have a good post-vaccination experience, I would suggest the kitty goes in for booster vaccinations that not all of them be given on the same day.  If you can schedule some vaccinations several weeks after the others, this staggered vaccination schedule might not be as hard on your kitty as this initial series was.   Good luck and hope your kitty is doing fine now.   KW Theil Wooster, Ohio

Response:

My 11 month old cat just got his shots for the first time today, and he’s acting sick.  He’s really lethargic and slightly irritable, and he acts like he’s miserable. The papers the vet gave me said he could be listless and have a temperature, but it said it would be "transient".  Has anyone else seen this reaction in their cat after vaccinations?  If it’s normal, how long should I expect it to last?  I know I should have asked the vet about all of this, but, since I’ve never heard of side effects from shots, and he didn’t say anything about it, it didn’t occur to me.  Can anyone tell me if or when I should start to be really concerned?

   This is relatively normal IMHO.  Humans have the same reactions to vaccines on occasion.  They can produce just a generalize malaise which should go away within about 5 days.  If it doesn’t, go to the vet.  In a normal, immunocompetant cat, vaccines shouldn’t really produce a real Problem with the possible exception of hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions.  But this doesn’t sound like an allergic reaction to me. Erik "Rouleaux" Hofmeister WSU Class ‘00 PLEASE NOTE: In the absence of a traditional veterinarian-client-patient relationship, this information should be taken as a friendly opinion, not as an official clinical recommendation.  Also realize that I am a veterinary student, and anything stated should be taken with that in mind.

Response:

Malinda, It is normal for some cats to show signs of "sickness" after receiving their shots.  Of our 4 cats at least one is usually lethargic and unfriendly after going through the shots.  I would not be to concerned unless the symptoms get worse or last over a long period of time.  Never hesitate to contact your vet with questions.  Just like our Dr.’s that is what they are there for. Good luck ^..^

Response:

My 11 month old cat just got his shots for the first time today, and he’s acting sick.  He’s really lethargic and slightly irritable, and he acts like he’s miserable. The papers the vet gave me said he could be listless and have a temperature, but it said it would be "transient".  Has anyone else seen this reaction in their cat after vaccinations?  If it’s normal, how long should I expect it to last?  I know I should have asked the vet about all of this, but, since I’ve never heard of side effects from shots, and he didn’t say anything about it, it didn’t occur to me.  Can anyone tell me if or when I should start to be really concerned? Thanks, Malinda

Response:

My first cat would react similarly every time he would get his annual vaccinations, and it sometimes lasted a couple of days.  My two cats now seem to tolerate them fairly well demonstrating only mild irritability. It appears to be similar to others.  If you are concerned, call your vet and tell him what is happening, and don’t wait too long if you are not sure.  Besides, your vet knows what vaccinations were given, and he did prepare the instruction sheet. Take care. — by permission of Molly and Casper, the wonder kitties Cats seem to go on the principle that it never does any harm to ask for what they want.  J.W. Krutch

Response:

My 11 month old cat just got his shots for the first time today, and he’s acting sick.  He’s really lethargic and slightly irritable, and he acts like he’s miserable. The papers the vet gave me said he could be listless and have a temperature, but it said it would be "transient".  Has anyone else seen this reaction in their cat after vaccinations?  If it’s normal, how long should I expect it to last?  I know I should have asked the vet about all of this, but, since I’ve never heard of side effects from shots, and he didn’t say anything about it, it didn’t occur to me.  Can anyone tell me if or when I should start to be really concerned? Thanks, Malinda

Hi. Sorry to learn that your kitty had this reaction following vaccination. You noted that the kitty just got its vaccinations for the first time,  and this would suggest that what you observed was more likely a generalized reaction to the vaccinations rather than any immune hypersensitivity.   However, for a cat to receive its first kittenhood vaccinations at 11 months is much later than usual.  If indeed these were its first vaccinations, then the the lethargy and irritability that you noted could have originated from several sources.  One, if modified live vaccines were used, the agents in the vaccine will often undergo limited multiplication in your kitty.  While this vaccine multiplication normally does not cause outright disease, it may induce some fever and loss of appetite.  Two, killed vaccines contain adjuvants (irritating substances that enhance the cat’s immune response to the vaccine). If you kitty received a killed vaccine (like rabiesvirus or feline leukemia virus) than perhaps the irritation caused by the adjuvant is making the kitty to be reluctant to move for a day or two.   Third, since your kitty is 11 months old, there is some chance that it was infected earlier with one of the agents that is included in one of the vaccines, and that the cat’s immunity from this earlier natural infection is causing an immune hypersensitivity reaction.   Although any of the above is possible, I am inclined to believe that the most likely explanation is the first one.   Lethargy and irritability after vaccination is not uncommon, although many cats are not so affected.  Usually these signs will disappear within several days following vaccination and your kitty will become its normal self.   You mentioned shots, as in more than one type of vaccination.  The question is how many different vaccinations were given on the same day?  Since your kitty did not have a good post-vaccination experience, I would suggest the kitty goes in for booster vaccinations that not all of them be given on the same day.  If you can schedule some vaccinations several weeks after the others, this staggered vaccination schedule might not be as hard on your kitty as this initial series was.   Good luck and hope your kitty is doing fine now.   KW Theil Wooster, Ohio

Response:

My 11 month old cat just got his shots for the first time today, and he’s acting sick.  He’s really lethargic and slightly irritable, and he acts like he’s miserable. The papers the vet gave me said he could be listless and have a temperature, but it said it would be "transient".  Has anyone else seen this reaction in their cat after vaccinations?  If it’s normal, how long should I expect it to last?  I know I should have asked the vet about all of this, but, since I’ve never heard of side effects from shots, and he didn’t say anything about it, it didn’t occur to me.  Can anyone tell me if or when I should start to be really concerned?

   This is relatively normal IMHO.  Humans have the same reactions to vaccines on occasion.  They can produce just a generalize malaise which should go away within about 5 days.  If it doesn’t, go to the vet.  In a normal, immunocompetant cat, vaccines shouldn’t really produce a real Problem with the possible exception of hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions.  But this doesn’t sound like an allergic reaction to me. Erik "Rouleaux" Hofmeister WSU Class ‘00 PLEASE NOTE: In the absence of a traditional veterinarian-client-patient relationship, this information should be taken as a friendly opinion, not as an official clinical recommendation.  Also realize that I am a veterinary student, and anything stated should be taken with that in mind.

Response:

Malinda, It is normal for some cats to show signs of "sickness" after receiving their shots.  Of our 4 cats at least one is usually lethargic and unfriendly after going through the shots.  I would not be to concerned unless the symptoms get worse or last over a long period of time.  Never hesitate to contact your vet with questions.  Just like our Dr.’s that is what they are there for. Good luck ^..^

Response:

My 11 month old cat just got his shots for the first time today, and he’s acting sick.  He’s really lethargic and slightly irritable, and he acts like he’s miserable. The papers the vet gave me said he could be listless and have a temperature, but it said it would be "transient".  Has anyone else seen this reaction in their cat after vaccinations?  If it’s normal, how long should I expect it to last?  I know I should have asked the vet about all of this, but, since I’ve never heard of side effects from shots, and he didn’t say anything about it, it didn’t occur to me.  Can anyone tell me if or when I should start to be really concerned? Thanks, Malinda

Response:

My first cat would react similarly every time he would get his annual vaccinations, and it sometimes lasted a couple of days.  My two cats now seem to tolerate them fairly well demonstrating only mild irritability. It appears to be similar to others.  If you are concerned, call your vet and tell him what is happening, and don’t wait too long if you are not sure.  Besides, your vet knows what vaccinations were given, and he did prepare the instruction sheet. Take care. — by permission of Molly and Casper, the wonder kitties Cats seem to go on the principle that it never does any harm to ask for what they want.  J.W. Krutch

Response:

My 11 month old cat just got his shots for the first time today, and he’s acting sick.  He’s really lethargic and slightly irritable, and he acts like he’s miserable. The papers the vet gave me said he could be listless and have a temperature, but it said it would be "transient".  Has anyone else seen this reaction in their cat after vaccinations?  If it’s normal, how long should I expect it to last?  I know I should have asked the vet about all of this, but, since I’ve never heard of side effects from shots, and he didn’t say anything about it, it didn’t occur to me.  Can anyone tell me if or when I should start to be really concerned? Thanks, Malinda

Hi. Sorry to learn that your kitty had this reaction following vaccination. You noted that the kitty just got its vaccinations for the first time,  and this would suggest that what you observed was more likely a generalized reaction to the vaccinations rather than any immune hypersensitivity.   However, for a cat to receive its first kittenhood vaccinations at 11 months is much later than usual.  If indeed these were its first vaccinations, then the the lethargy and irritability that you noted could have originated from several sources.  One, if modified live vaccines were used, the agents in the vaccine will often undergo limited multiplication in your kitty.  While this vaccine multiplication normally does not cause outright disease, it may induce some fever and loss of appetite.  Two, killed vaccines contain adjuvants (irritating substances that enhance the cat’s immune response to the vaccine). If you kitty received a killed vaccine (like rabiesvirus or feline leukemia virus) than perhaps the irritation caused by the adjuvant is making the kitty to be reluctant to move for a day or two.   Third, since your kitty is 11 months old, there is some chance that it was infected earlier with one of the agents that is included in one of the vaccines, and that the cat’s immunity from this earlier natural infection is causing an immune hypersensitivity reaction.   Although any of the above is possible, I am inclined to believe that the most likely explanation is the first one.   Lethargy and irritability after vaccination is not uncommon, although many cats are not so affected.  Usually these signs will disappear within several days following vaccination and your kitty will become its normal self.   You mentioned shots, as in more than one type of vaccination.  The question is how many different vaccinations were given on the same day?  Since your kitty did not have a good post-vaccination experience, I would suggest the kitty goes in for booster vaccinations that not all of them be given on the same day.  If you can schedule some vaccinations several weeks after the others, this staggered vaccination schedule might not be as hard on your kitty as this initial series was.   Good luck and hope your kitty is doing fine now.   KW Theil Wooster, Ohio

Response:

My 11 month old cat just got his shots for the first time today, and he’s acting sick.  He’s really lethargic and slightly irritable, and he acts like he’s miserable. The papers the vet gave me said he could be listless and have a temperature, but it said it would be "transient".  Has anyone else seen this reaction in their cat after vaccinations?  If it’s normal, how long should I expect it to last?  I know I should have asked the vet about all of this, but, since I’ve never heard of side effects from shots, and he didn’t say anything about it, it didn’t occur to me.  Can anyone tell me if or when I should start to be really concerned?

   This is relatively normal IMHO.  Humans have the same reactions to vaccines on occasion.  They can produce just a generalize malaise which should go away within about 5 days.  If it doesn’t, go to the vet.  In a normal, immunocompetant cat, vaccines shouldn’t really produce a real Problem with the possible exception of hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions.  But this doesn’t sound like an allergic reaction to me. Erik "Rouleaux" Hofmeister WSU Class ‘00 PLEASE NOTE: In the absence of a traditional veterinarian-client-patient relationship, this information should be taken as a friendly opinion, not as an official clinical recommendation.  Also realize that I am a veterinary student, and anything stated should be taken with that in mind.

Response:

Malinda, It is normal for some cats to show signs of "sickness" after receiving their shots.  Of our 4 cats at least one is usually lethargic and unfriendly after going through the shots.  I would not be to concerned unless the symptoms get worse or last over a long period of time.  Never hesitate to contact your vet with questions.  Just like our Dr.’s that is what they are there for. Good luck ^..^

Response:

My 11 month old cat just got his shots for the first time today, and he’s acting sick.  He’s really lethargic and slightly irritable, and he acts like he’s miserable. The papers the vet gave me said he could be listless and have a temperature, but it said it would be "transient".  Has anyone else seen this reaction in their cat after vaccinations?  If it’s normal, how long should I expect it to last?  I know I should have asked the vet about all of this, but, since I’ve never heard of side effects from shots, and he didn’t say anything about it, it didn’t occur to me.  Can anyone tell me if or when I should start to be really concerned? Thanks, Malinda

Response:

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