FIV+ Cat Seems Poorly - Is it because of his cat flu shot he had last week?

Sorry, just a quick question - my 6 year old FIV+ cat had his shots last week, after not having them for 2 years (there's conflicting evidence about whether putting a cat who's immune system is already taxed under more strain), and this week he seems a bit "run down" ie. watery eyes, lethargic, smellier poo than usual. He just doesn't have his usual vigour. I'm just asking other seasoned cat owners if they find that after their cats injections if they seem a bit "run down" afterwards, or if this could be the sign of another illness.

We're hopefully getting another FIV+ cat next week, who has had to be kept at the RSPCA due to a cat flu that is going around. I also just want to know if I should tell them to hold onto her until whatever it is that Rinsewind has gotten has cleared up?

Thank you for reading,
   Natalie

Some cats definitely don't take to vaccines well, FIV or no FIV. But it's so individual... if you work with a regular vet, you may want to ring to ask. If we ever have any doubt, we're off to the vet. :nod:

What a love you are for adopting another FIV+ kitty! :heart2:

he'll bounce back from the vaccinations, and that's all this is!

Cats are like people and react differently to different things.  Your kitty may very well just be under the weather a bit after the shots and will perk up in a day or 2.  I would call the vet to make sure and I would also ask the vet about introducing the new kitty right away.  You are a wonderful person for adopting FIV+ kitties. 

Thank you very much for your replies! I'm just going to keep an eye on him for the minute, and see how be looks in a few days. I'm a bit of a hypochondriac when it comes to illnesses and kitties. He's just currently laid at the bottom of the bed doing his usual sleepy squeaks and murmurs.

I've phoned the RSPCA to see how Sylvia is doing, and they said that she's on some medicine, but she's doing better, so it won't be long until we have her home.

Most pets with any autoimmune disease should have a titer test before being given their vaccinations to make sure their body can handle it at that time.

finnlacey said:

Most pets with any autoimmune disease should have a titer test before being given their vaccinations to make sure their body can handle it at that time.

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I'm not clear on this? You mean to determine whether or not they need the vaccine? A titer test has to be for specific antibodies, so I can understand having it done prior to vaccinating, to determine whether it's necessary or not. But how can a titer test tell whether or not a pet will have some kind of reaction to a vaccine? I'm pretty sure all a vet can do is determine the overall health of an animal prior to vaccinating, and they have no way in advance to know whether or not a cat will not feel well after the vaccine or not. :dk:

Our Chumley is FIV+, and we do get him his rabies vaccinations just to be compliant with the law (though it's not required in our township, in the event of any kind of emergency, it's required just about everywhere else).

Our other kitty, Tuxedo, had an autoimmune disease that caused him to be anemic. He didn't receive even the rabies vaccination for four years. Once the vet felt he was "over the hump," he began receiving them again. But we don't do any other vaccinations for our cats.

I think Nattily had her kitty vaccinated because she's about to adopt a rescue kitty that's been in a shelter and sick with the flu. :nod:

Nattily, I hope your boy feels better soon, and that Sylvia can come home!!!!

finnlacey said:

Most pets with any autoimmune disease should have a titer test before being given their vaccinations to make sure their body can handle it at that time.

Click to expand...

Thank you for that information finnlacey, I've never heard of the titer tes, so I'll bring it up with my vet the next time that I have RW weighed. It does make sense, I've been previously mentioned, I've been reading about others who know more about cat health than I do saying that it can be taxing on the cats body due to them having a weakened state,

RW has currently lost his voice, so he's doing little squeaks, which happens now and again due to hairballs. We've got him some Beophar Hairball Paste which he eats (he's a bit fussy with things) and that tends to sort him out. I'm a hypochondriac when it comes to illnesses, so you'll probably see a lot of posts from me with concerns about health

LDG I've made a group for cats with FIV that you could join if you'd like - I intend for it to be a place where we can talk about things like the titer test, or other health worries that are prevalent with FIV kitties (or just as a place to show others our candid cat pictures/show that FIV is not a death sentence)!

I've been to see Sylvia today and she is SOOO affectionate. She just flops onto peoples laps, and then nibbles on fingers.

Thank you everybody for your comments! I'm really enjoying TCS and think it's somewhere where it's evidently for people who really love their cats.

TCS is definitely a place for people who love cats! Of course... we'd love to see pictures too.

I'll go join the group! Not like I already spend too much time on TCS.....

How's RW? :cross:

To answer the other question, yes I meant to just see whether the kitty needed the vaccine or not. I know it can't tell if the kitty will get a reaction. Because I work with cats with IBD and other GI diseases, so many of them have a compromised immune system and there are certain vaccinations they shouldn't get. A lot of their vets do agree with this and comply very willingly but it helps to ask questions about this to your vet: http://www.catinfo.org/?link=vaccines.