Cat off colour after booster jabs?

Alikay

Our 14 year old cat had her annual booster on Monday, and for the past few days has seemed very sleepy. She's actually sleeping in her own bed rather than her usual "anywhere she's not allowed to" place of choice. She's still eating her normal meals but not scrounging for extra food as usual, and her eyes, nose mouth etc seem moist and clear as normal. Has anyone else noticed this after taking their cat for vaccinations? If it continues beyond a couple more days or I notice anything more worrying then I'll obviously take her to the vet.

Azmataz

It's pretty normal for a cat to feel off colour for a few days after having a vax - especially the older or frail ones. I really wouldn't worry too much at this point, but why don't you give the vet a call to put your mind at ease?

Oddjob

To be quite honest, I wouldn't be giving a 14yo cat boosters. They don't need them, they have quite enough immunity in their bodies by then anyway. I know that doesn't help your situation now, but I wouldn't do it again next year.
Its like with dogs, there is an article about it here. - http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/lifelong-immunity-vets/




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After the first vaccinations as puppies, they are protected for life.

Slinky

Our old cat used to be quite flat after boosters, to the point where I stopped having them done for a few years. I was persuaded back by the vet who said they could do them as single vaccines, not combined, so we used to have 2 jabs 6 months apart.

Alikay

Thanks for your replies - luckily she seems a little brighter today and was even playful for a few minutes. Unfortunately we need to continue with the boosters as we put her in catteries for our main holiday each year (neighbour feeds her for short breaks, but she starts to wander and go searching for us after a couple days). Will look at having single jabs spaced by a few weeks next time though.

kazwookie

Ring the vets and have a chat with them.

meritaten

my cat had his jabs last week. He had to 'start over' as it was more than two years (I think) since he had a booster. The vet did say he may be more sleepy than normal - and if it lasted more than a couple of days to phone them.
I would give them a ring if you are worried.

Pete268

I had my 4yr old cat at the vet for her annual booster jabs (TriCat and FelV) only last week. The vet as usual warned me that she may be a bit sleepy for a day or so afterwards (I have been told this whenever she has had her annual jabs).

True to form for a couple of days after the jabs she was pretty sleepy. On the day after her jabs she slept for nearly 20 hours over the course of the day/night. The day after that she was brighter but still a bit sleepy. By the third day she was almost back to normal and sleeping in her usual spot (on her bed next to the radiator). On the fourth day she was back to normal. My previous cat was exactly the same.

A tip I was given was to keep a note of her sleep partern after the jabs with her jab record card. That way the following year you can compare sleep patterns from the previous year(s) and pehaps save a bit of worry if the sleep pattern is quite similar year on year.

As others have said though, do check with your vet, but as with my own cat, it could well be the normal reaction to the jabs.

Peter

Slinky

Alikay wrote: »

Thanks for your replies - luckily she seems a little brighter today and was even playful for a few minutes. Unfortunately we need to continue with the boosters as we put her in catteries for our main holiday each year (neighbour feeds her for short breaks, but she starts to wander and go searching for us after a couple days). Will look at having single jabs spaced by a few weeks next time though.

If you do decide to go down this route, speak to the vet in advance so they can order the vaccines in for you, they aren't something they keep in as standard.