Feline Distemper Vaccine - Question.

Hello,

My cat is scheduled for a feline distemper shot tomorrow - it will be her first one as she just turned 1 in May. (I know it's probably a little late, but its the closest opening we could get)

I was wondering..after the shot, will there be any side effects - temporary or permanent? I couldn't find much information on this so I decided to make a thread to ask.

By side effects, I mean sluggishness, unbalanced, etc..

Any help appreciated.

I don't know of side effects but I would like to know as well. We had a puppy die from side effects from a shot she got and noone told us what to look for and by the time I noticed she was in trouble it was too late.

Just call if you notice anything odd and explain that your cat had it's shot and you noticed some wierd behavior.

Do you mean her first one ever? She should have had a series of them when she was starting around 7-8 weeks old and about 2-3 after that. If she has never had any before, I believe you will need to booster it in another month and get a second vaccine for her. Check with the vet on that though. She should be getting the FVRCP-C combo vaccine for Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia and Chlamydia along with a rabies vaccine of course.

Originally Posted by Jen

Do you mean her first one ever? She should have had a series of them when she was starting around 7-8 weeks old and about 2-3 after that. If she has never had any before, I believe you will need to booster it in another month and get a second vaccine for her. Check with the vet on that though. She should be getting the FVRCP-C combo vaccine for Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia and Chlamydia along with a rabies vaccine of course.

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Well, she has had other shots - but I'm not exactly sure about this one before - I'll have to check in my file.

I got her in August of last year, and she was born in May - so I can't really say what the shelter did to her - they had lost her file.

Ling just got her 4 in one shots last week and she was fine when she came home - also got the rabies - now she only has to go every 3 yrs - so shots will be due in 2010.

Originally Posted by RyRyMini

Well, she has had other shots - but I'm not exactly sure about this one before - I'll have to check in my file.

I got her in August of last year, and she was born in May - so I can't really say what the shelter did to her - they had lost her file.

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oh that is odd, not very responsible of the shelter.

oh that is odd, not very responsible of the shelter.

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My thoughts exactly. But what could I do =\\

Ling just got her 4 in one shots last week and she was fine when she came home

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Great! I hope my cat acts the same way.

I know a lot aren't doing the felv shots, etc. but does the distemper have to be done each year for an indoor cat, or is that one "optional" also?

The vet told us they could be lethargic for a day or so after the shots, but I didn't notice it...they were chasing each other shortly after we got home

When Radar had his kitten shots (everything except Rabies as we don't have that disease here thank goodness) he was sleepier than usual and lost his appetite somewhat, he was still eating a bit but not with much enthusiasm. He also walked slower than usual, apparently that's the calcivirus vaccine which can cause some joint stiffness. It lasted for about 24 hours. Other cats though don't have these effects.

Being a little 'off-colour' is nothing to worry about (I always feel a bit ill after my flu jab!) but anything worse than that you should call the vet. Severe reactions aren't that common, but if in doubt a phone call to the vet is in order