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BAD REACTION to distemper shot - Page 2

post #31 of 42
1/14/09 at 8:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by David's Steph View Post
Does anyone else on this site other than me NOT get yearly shots for their cats, rabies included?
I don't. After the initial round I only take them every three years for that. One of my cats got sick after his boosters, and another had a large lump swell up. Reactions like that certainly scare a person.

They are indoor only and will never (if I can help it) come in contact with an untested and unvaccinated animal.
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post #32 of 42
1/14/09 at 10:50am
Well, my cats are inside cats - except for the couple of times they door-dashed and were outside. Also, they hang by the screens during the summer - other animals may come up to them.

Also, I go outside - who knows what I'm bringing home every day.

And, re rabies - well, in the Chicago area we've just been told we've had a record number of rabid bats, including one that was just found inside a home within metro Chicago (a nice neighborhood, too). So, there's the issue of my pets' contracting rabies (probably low risk). But, if my pets bite someone, well, that's not a place I'm willing to go for lack of a rabies shot, for both my pet and the person - rabies series is not a fun set of shots to take.

I talk with my vets regarding current protocols each year.

Then again, I get flu shots every year, and I would also have human children vaccinated. Lots of people prefer to take their chances there as well.
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post #33 of 42
1/14/09 at 3:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by darlili View Post
Also, I go outside - who knows what I'm bringing home every day.
Unless you touched other animals who were sick with these diseases, you don't bring anything home...

I don't even know what I am going to do for Jake. He had two sets of kitten shots, and had a reaction the second time..It wasn't horrible but he was sick for about four days with fever and lethargy. He still played a little though. I do not like him being sick and he is indoor only with no other animals at home...I don't even think he can possibly bite someone because we put him in one of the bedrooms when we have guests...If he bites me, I'm not worried about it cuz I know he hasn't been touched by other animals. For now, I plan to give him a booster again at 6 months and after that every 3 years...But I don't know how i'm going to explain to the vet that I read off of some website that too much vaccination is bad for cats. Even though the information was from reliable sources such as pubmed and ncbi, the vet has a degree in this and surely he will feel like his authority is being challenged. And Jake does need to be neutered soon...
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post #34 of 42
1/14/09 at 4:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ut0pia View Post
But I don't know how i'm going to explain to the vet that I read off of some website that too much vaccination is bad for cats. Even though the information was from reliable sources such as pubmed and ncbi, the vet has a degree in this and surely he will feel like his authority is being challenged. And Jake does need to be neutered soon...
You find a vet that agrees with your views. This is more likely to happen if you try cat only clinics or a vet that is a bit more alternative in treatments (ie, partially holistic). Feel free to call and grill the vet. You're paying for a service.
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post #35 of 42
1/14/09 at 8:56pm
I don't vaccinate. If your cat is eating a good diet, then the immune system will fight off disease. I have one cat that became quite ill from the distemper vaccine. I started doing my own research and concluded that yearly vaccines are not good. I use to trust my vet and he would give them all the vaccines , even FIP. I found out the FIP does more harm. I just have all my cats have the kitten distemper series and that's it.
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post #36 of 42
1/15/09 at 10:02pm
I'm really not sure what to do or what my opinion is about vaccines. My cats have had three of the distemper combo vaccines, and have been very sickly since I brought them home, sniffling or sneezing or eye boogers at least, plus they have sensitive tummies and TF... They have actually not been vaccinated for Rabies at all, because every time we are at the vets they are sickly and she doesn't want to give them a shot if they are ill. Now I am starting to wonder (and maybe I will talk to her about it) on whether they need it at all, and whether or not the shots (one was intranasal, and given at only five weeks) could have been the reason why they are so sickly now?

I don't know.


I'm really glad your little kitten is doing better, Lawguy!
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post #37 of 42
1/16/09 at 2:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by zorana_dragonky View Post
I'm really not sure what to do or what my opinion is about vaccines. My cats have had three of the distemper combo vaccines, and have been very sickly since I brought them home, sniffling or sneezing or eye boogers at least, plus they have sensitive tummies and TF... They have actually not been vaccinated for Rabies at all, because every time we are at the vets they are sickly and she doesn't want to give them a shot if they are ill. Now I am starting to wonder (and maybe I will talk to her about it) on whether they need it at all, and whether or not the shots (one was intranasal, and given at only five weeks) could have been the reason why they are so sickly now?

I don't know.


I'm really glad your little kitten is doing better, Lawguy!
Aww, I'm really sorry your kittens are sickly after shots...What does the vet say? Does the vet give them antibiotics if they have a URI??? Maybe that's the cause...do you keep them inside or are they exposed to other kittens? Maybe they got something at the vets office during the visit...After reading about reactions to shots I haven't heard of one causing kittens to be sneezing, what you are describing is like a URI.....
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post #38 of 42
1/17/09 at 1:49pm
...which they probably caught while being at the vet. Immune system slightly compromised from the shot and fear....

We take our cats to the vet every year for a full checkup and bloodwork. One of our kitties has a problem with plaque build up, and we get her a dental every year. We want to be proactive about their health, because we care too much about them and I cannot imagine what kind of heartbreak we'd go through if something happened that could have been prevented.

All that said - we use a traditional vet, and they require rabies every year and distemper... I think every three years. ? Not sure. I'll have to ask. But he's saved the lives of two of our cats that a different vet almost killed - and since none of them seem to have had any adverse reaction to the vaccines, we do it.

Laurie
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post #39 of 42
1/17/09 at 4:02pm
My vet thinks that they have chronic herpes virus. They had a full course of antibiotics when I first brought them home (this was in June) to try to combat the URI, but I wonder if the vaccines (especially the one at five weeks) compromised their tiny developing immune systems, causing the herpes virus to become chronic. I know pretty much all cats are exposed to herpes, but it doesn't always become chronic. The vet hasn't given us more antibiotics because at first she wanted to see if they could beat it by letting their immune systems develop without antibiotics, but now we think it is herpes so what good would it do? We don't know. Anyway, we want to get rid of the TF (intestinal parasite) first but it is taking some time for us to do some research and contact North Carolina State and get the medications. If they get rid of TF and don't have an adverse reaction to the medication for that, maybe we will try antibiotics again or do the PCR test for Herpes virus. I just wonder if the vaccinations may have compromised their immune systems in some way. I am afraid to give them more, and even my vet has refused to give them the Rabies shot!

I will talk to her about my concerns.
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post #40 of 42
1/17/09 at 4:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by David's Steph View Post
Does anyone else on this site other than me NOT get yearly shots for their cats, rabies included? I've researched vaccines for almost 9 years (as long as I've lived with my 2 indoor-only cats), and have hear horror story after horror story, bad reactions and side-effects, vaccines are a money-making machine for vets, they may compromise cats immune systems, etc...it does not make sense to me to inject my felines (who are INDOOR ONLY) with shots of strains of diseases that they will most likely not ever encounter? Am I alone in this way of thought? I understand the law about rabies, and if my cat bites someone, the law dictates they need to have had a rabies shot...but my cats have never been in contact with an outside animal..Why then, would I expose them to a vaccine that will/may make them ill?? For kittens and young cats, yes, a booster shot one time, I undersand, but the whole yearly/ 3 year vaccines, no way!! For adult indoor only cats? Why? Not for us, no way..
I also have researched vaccinations quite a bit as I have had several animals that have had bad reactions, two ending up in the ER. My cats are indoors, always. And I do not and will not vaccinate them after the initial kitten shots and just 2-3 of those, 3 kin 1not 4 in one. If vaccinations are needed for some reason I always have had the vet do it one vaccine at a time. It costs me more but safer. Our pup just had 2 seizures after having a rabies shot. That is just MO.
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post #41 of 42
1/17/09 at 6:12pm
I have two cats who are highly allergic to their shots as well. One nearly died several years ago and since then he has received antihistamine shots prior to getting his rabies which has been successful. This year - 4 years since the shots he nearly died from - the vet suggested we try the intranasal innoculations along with the antihistamine pre-treatment. He seemed to tolerate them without a problem. My other is due for her re-vaccination this summer and I will consider the intranasal innoculations for her as well. The rabies, unfortunately, is still by needle but I use the Purevax which is non-adjuvanted.

All 5 of ours are indoor cats and have only had rabies in the last 4 years since the rabies is mandatory by law, and the new recommendations state every 3 years for boosters.

Definitely use the antihistamine pre-treatment for your kitten (they use benedryl, actually). Mine tolerate that well and it has definitely been a life saving measure for getting their vaccinations.

Good luck with you little one and kudos to you for rescuing her. Do let the vet know of her sensitivity when it is time to spay her - one of mine is highly allergic to anaesthetics as well - nearly died during her spay from a reaction - so they need to be aware and use something that can be reversed if she shows signs of reaction.
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post #42 of 42
12/3/11 at 6:45am

I just went thru this with my silver persian Lewlew.......I took her in to be groomed and they said she needed a distemper shot.....being I was there I decided to do it, even thu she's an indoor cat..This is my first cat so I dont know much bout them......She was so so sick 2 days later.....she just slept all the time and I couldnt touch her she was in so so much pain.......I finally went to the vet, almost a week later. He gave her a shot of cortisone for the pain, did blood work and force fed her.....I had to force feed her with a syringe of very wet food...........I was soo thrilled when I saw her finally eat.......Your cat will bounce back but get to the vet! I have to say 4 weeks later and the past week she is now sneezing........UGH! She hasnt NOT been right since that shot ): She is 3-1/2 years old and has always been healthy.

In fact Im off to call the vet......good luck with your baby :) but please get her to the vet!

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