World of difference: kitten booster shot

Originally Posted by lauraG

Simone the kitten had her second set of distemper shots yesterday. Her first shots resulted in a couple of days of extreme sleepiness. So this time the vet gave her a shot of benedryl and a shot of a steroid first. In her opinion, the reaction to the first shot was a problem. Apparently, if a kitty is sensitive to the vaccinations, they can get progressively more sensitive with subsequent vaccinations.

She slept a little but then was pretty much herself for most of the day. By evening, I assume when the benedryl wore off, she was less active, but still eating and playing some.

Clearly, I have a cat that doesn't react well to vaccinations. Thought it would be helpful to pass along what she told me to watch for.

Feel the ears: If they are hot, it could be a sign of an emergency
Look at the gums: Are they pale and not healthy pink: call the vet.
(Be sure you're not pulling too hard on her mouth and causing the gum to blanch)

Then the usual: watch for swelling, vomiting, diarrhea, extreme lethargy.

This morning she was well enough to play and eat and cause some trouble. She and the others are all busy in their morning snoozing.

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Originally Posted by 7_Angel

I would strongly advise taking your cat's reactionZAAGTRrr to a vaccination very seriously (it sounds like you are), as future vaccinations or shots could lead to tragedy.

My beloved cat died 2 months ago because her body reacted so severely to a routine rabies vaccination - she went into anaphylactic shock after her vaccination had been administered... soon after we got home from the vet. Although we took her back to the vet immediately and they did all they could for her, her life could not be saved. I can't explain how much this loss hurts, but I hope others can learn from what happened to my kitty.

The symptoms that you listed to look for are correct. Be aware that a cat's reaction to a vaccination can start with one symptom like vomiting and quickly escalate to all symptoms like diarrhea, lethargy, hot ears, and drooling. My cat went downhill very fast. We didn't even know what was happening to her until she had a sudden onset of many symptoms.

She had thrown up once or twice after a vaccination in the past, but we assumed, and the vet assumed it was because she was anxious (although looking back, I do not believe that to be the case). If your cat is having reactions now... the reactions could be even worse in the future.

We vaccinated our cat because it is the law and because we are traveling between countries... however, I strongly encourage people to question if a well-cared-for indoor cat really needs such vaccinations as rabies.

Vaccinations have always been a somewhat controversial subject, but having lived this nightmare, I can honestly say that I will think twice about certain vaccinations for cats.

Please click on my username and visit my website for more info about what happened with my cat.

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