Vaccinating an FIV+ Cat

I just vaccinated all of my cats, including my FIV+ cat, with Fel-O-Guard Plus 4. I did this 24 hours ago and the more immunodeveloped cats have recovered, but Zeph is still sleepy and not hungry. He's only eaten a little today, and slept much more than usual. I also worry about the vaccine inducing chlamydia, because his eyes have started tearing up just a tiny bit.
I gave the injection on the outside of his front right leg below the elbow. A 1ml dose, as is standard.

I would take his temp, but my thermometer has run out of battery, unfortunately. His ears feel the same as the other cats, though.

Is there anything to worry about here, or am I just being paranoid?

chipmunk-kim said:

I just vaccinated all of my cats, including my FIV+ cat, with Fel-O-Guard Plus 4. I did this 24 hours ago and the more immunodeveloped cats have recovered, but Zeph is still sleepy and not hungry. He's only eaten a little today, and slept much more than usual. I also worry about the vaccine inducing chlamydia, because his eyes have started tearing up just a tiny bit.
I gave the injection on the outside of his front right leg below the elbow. A 1ml dose, as is standard.

I would take his temp, but my thermometer has run out of battery, unfortunately. His ears feel the same as the other cats, though.

Is there anything to worry about here, or am I just being paranoid?

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The info i read o this vaccine says that the chlamydia portion of the vaccine is killed, but the other parts of it are modified live virus so yes your cat could react to the vaccine, just not likely to the chlamydia portion of it, but could react to the calici or feline herpes portion of the vaccine.  I would watch her closely and consider speaking with your vet.

I have always been told, by numerous vets over the years, that immunocompromised cats should not be vaccinated.  There's always a risk of a tumor developing at the injection site (Purevax vaccines are supposed to be safest) and we don't want to take that gamble with kitties that have a higher predisposition for developing cancer.  

If your vet is Ok with vaccinating a fiv+ cat, I would find another vet.  That's not the modern perspective to take on vax.

@chipmunk-kim

One of the important and even helpful qualities of asking for advice on an online forum like TCS is that not everyone is going to agree, and as a result you get to hear diverse views.  In this instance i am going to partly disagree the above poster who told you never to vaccinate an FIV positive cat.  Other than an allergic reaction, Killed vaccines cannot cause your cat to become ill as there is no live virus in the vaccine, and boosting your immuno-compromised cat's immune system, particularly if he is a risk of contracting one of these illnesses may actually be to your FIV+ cat's benefit.

Having said that, 3 of the 4 illnesses you vaccinated for were with modified live viruses, something that is not recommended and most likely should not be done.  In addition, i would not vaccinate my FIV+ cat any more than necessary, and if he is (and I hope he is) an indoor cat along with your others, than once after reaching adulthood may be sufficient, but especially given his FIV status I would suggest any and all future vaccinations be done by a vet, and not by purchasing this type of vaccine and self administering.

With respect to my opinion or any other you get on this site, its up to you to evaluate the opinions and make your own decisions hopefully in collaboration with a licensed Vet.

Thank you for your input, everyone. I had spoken with my vet and they said to vaccinate him, but I will seek the opinions of other veterinarians at this point.

As long as a cat has no active infection or symptoms of poor health, vaccinating is as safe for a non-FIV cat as an FIV positive cat. Immunocompromised cats should still be vaccinated, just with specific protocols in mind. Gradually, they have reduced lymphocytes, but they do not have a higher incidence of vaccine reactions or adverse events.

Considering lethargy and inappetance 24 hours later, your cat may benefit from antihistamine and supportive care before and after vaccination. He may be achy and painful post-vaccination, in which case anti-inflammatory treatment from your vet could help. If not eating, he may develop GI upset, dehydration, or low blood glucose. He may need subcutaneous fluids and steroid or NSAID now, and at future vaccines.

FVRCP combination doesn't need to be given more than every 3 years, and some vets are establishing their own protocol of a 5 year duration after a kitten/booster series is complete and the initial 1 year booster. Separating his FVRCP from other virus vaccinations will help decrease his risk for side effects such as lethargy, inappetance, fever, and vomiting.

In the future, also ensure you use a clinically safer vaccine with less side effects, less history of local and general reactions, than the Fort Dodge products. Intervet/SP, Pfizer, and Merial vaccines are all better reputed. Intervet/SP's Nobivac vaccines includes a proven 3 year immunity herpes/calicivirus vaccine and a separate panleukopenia vaccine. After a kitten series, a 1 year booster, and a single FVRCP 3 years later, I don't vaccinate my own and fosters beyond this protocol. But, I also invest in a panleukopenia titer of new adult fosters, so I don't unnecessarily vaccinate and challenge their immunity and kidneys. It's a serious infectious disease, but if their titer count is good, I do not continue vaccinating them. Let alone a retrovirus positive kitty.

My FIV+ patients do well early in their diagnosis, but a few years down the road they have a higher prevalence of oral infections and stomatitis, URIs, and idiopathic fevers treated with antibiotics prophylactically. The ever common corneal ulcers in cats take longer to heal in FIV cats, and more aggressive therapy. Like FIV negative geriatric patients, we often discontinue vaccinating them in their senior years, except for legal adherence to rabies vaccination laws.

Knowing he is FIV+ and that sensitive to a vaccine, consider getting his blood chemistry and CBC checked at a minimum, at least once a year, to diagnose any underlying disease. Also, biannual wellness exams would be advantageous to catching changes early, before a disease or infection progresses.

Sorry, I think perhaps my former post was a little too strongly worded.  I think it's a good idea to educate yourself, seek different opinions, weigh pros and cons, and then do what you feel is best for your cat.  If you decide to continue vaccinating, just keep an eye on the injection site for swelling that doesn't resolve in a timely manner and routinely examine your kitty for lumps. 

I'm well aware that every decision made concerning a sick kitty is never an easy one.  Best wishes to you and your furbabies   

 Like FIV negative geriatric patients, we often discontinue vaccinating them in their senior years, except for legal adherence to rabies vaccination laws.

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Not sure what the law is like in other states, but in PA there's an exemption for immunocompromised cats.  I thought I should mention it since most people naturally assume all cats have to get the rabies vax.

Thank you guys, especially that informative post by puck. That is super helpful.
Zephyrus is currently pretty healthy, and has just finished a course of antibiotics and had a dental recently, so his mouth is in good shape.

He just had a complete blood panel done very recently and the vet gave me his results to keep. Does anyone want me to upload a photo of the results?

He also just ate a little canned food without being pressed to do so, and I used my human thermometer to take his temperature. 101.6°F is fine, although his avg is usually closer to 101.2°F.

I appreciate everyone's input, and I'll update on his condition. Further advice would be appreciated.

My vet will be calling me back soon and I will talk to them about Zeph's safest vaccinations. When I ordered the Fel-O-Guard that I administered, I had read the information backwards and had thought it said that it included three killed viruses and modified live chlamydia. I'll definitely be more careful in the future with his vaccination needs.

This is Zeph, he's awake, but not particularly alert at the moment.

Zeph is still looking lethargic then... his labwork looks excellent. With the high eosinophils you can talk with your vet about treating him for endoparasites. Since no other WBCs are affected, parasitism is our primary rule out when we see eosinophils spike. Poor lil guy looks worn out. Vaccines definitely kick his butt.

Are they continuing to test him for FeLV/FIV annually just for posterity? Since you know his status, better investing that test fee in subcutaneous fluids and antihistamine injection. A dexamethasone injection may help him now, while he's still lagging post-vaccine. Reduced appetite often coincides with reduced drinking, so a small bolus of subq fluids may be warranted also. Call your vet in the morning and see if they can do a fast outpatient supportive treatment with a nurse/tech after you describe his persisting lethargy and reduced appetite. You recently had him examined, so you can ask if you can forgo an exam fee, and just get him treatment for now.

If they give a steroid injection, it will make him thirsty, hungry, and he'll need to urinate like crazy within an hour of administration. Ask for a pee pad in his carrier if it's a long drive home.

Alright, I'll call my vet this morning and see about some supportive care. I may also ask about a waiver for certain vaccines because he's immunocompromised and gets so lethargic.

He is eating small amounts of canned food mixed with extra water and is drinking a little, but still pretty lethargic. He urinated last night and defecated the day before, but I'm still worried.

chipmunk-kim said:

Alright, I'll call my vet this morning and see about some supportive care. I may also ask about a waiver for certain vaccines because he's immunocompromised and gets so lethargic.

He is eating small amounts of canned food mixed with extra water and is drinking a little, but still pretty lethargic. He urinated last night and defecated the day before, but I'm still worried.

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IN the USA the only vaccine required by law in most areas is the rabies vaccine, the rest are elective.  Many vets will allow you to skip the rabies vaccine if you have an indoor only cat, without having to sign anything.  You can refuse it and see if your vet is comfortable with that.