Hi all! I'm so glad I found this forum as my cat baby, Umi, also experienced a reaction from the Zoetis rabies vaccine. This thread allowed me to go to my vet confidently and state that she's having a reaction to her vaccine vs. them trying to figure out what's wrong. She's only 5 so that may also play into how this is unfolding for us regarding recovery. I haven't seen exact symptoms and timing of symptoms quite like hers on this thread yet, so I thought I'd share my experience/questions just in case anyone else is going through it!
Umi got her rabies and distemper vaccines (stacked...I know UGH...never again!) on Friday 9/9 and began vomiting that same evening. I'm talking like 5 rounds of vomiting. The next morning (Saturday) she vomited about 3 more times, and we were thankfully able to get her in to see a vet as soon as they opened. We were really worried about dehydration from the vomiting. They gave her (1) a steroid injection (2) Cerenia injection to help with vomiting and (3) a fluid injection, and then they sent us home with more Cerenia tablets.
She was doing better Sunday and Monday (better appetite, more movement), but was still lethargic from the medicine, so I decided to pause Cerenia thinking she would bounce back. Nope. On Tuesday, she vomited again and began to have frequent diarrhea episodes, which was new. I immediately called the vet and brought her in on Wednesday. They gave her (1) a Benadryl injection instead of a steroid shot bc apparently the steroid is "long lasting" (not sure about this, but fine) (2) another Cerenia injection, and they sent us home with:
- antibiotics (for diarrhea)
- probiotics
- Cerenia
- an appetite stimulant
- Benadryl
That night, I gave her the antibiotics as directed and noticed that Umi became lethargic and drowsy pretty soon after - she even tried to lie down in her litter box, and I'd never seen her do that. I chalked it up to the meds + coming down from anxiety from being at the vet, and I think I was right because she was SO MUCH better the next morning, and has been since (fingers crossed).
Now it's Saturday (8 days post vaccine), and I'm happy to report that she is doing well. She has a great appetite (even without the stimulant) and is acting much more like herself! She hasn't had a bowel movement since starting antibiotics, but I know that's normal for the antibiotic she's on. However, I do catch myself worrying about symptoms returning once she's off all of her medication since so many folks on here are describing a delayed reaction. I know she didn't have a delayed reaction, as she began showing symptoms the same day, but I'm nervous. I'm trying not to worry too much, and I know I'll have to cross that bridge IF we get there, but sometimes my anxiety gets the best of me.
Has anyone had a similar experience in terms of symptoms and the timing? How did you know your cat was officially on the mend and all better?
Sending hugs to everyone on this thread past, present, and future! I will keep you all updated!
Umi got her rabies and distemper vaccines (stacked...I know UGH...never again!) on Friday 9/9 and began vomiting that same evening. I'm talking like 5 rounds of vomiting. The next morning (Saturday) she vomited about 3 more times, and we were thankfully able to get her in to see a vet as soon as they opened. We were really worried about dehydration from the vomiting. They gave her (1) a steroid injection (2) Cerenia injection to help with vomiting and (3) a fluid injection, and then they sent us home with more Cerenia tablets.
She was doing better Sunday and Monday (better appetite, more movement), but was still lethargic from the medicine, so I decided to pause Cerenia thinking she would bounce back. Nope. On Tuesday, she vomited again and began to have frequent diarrhea episodes, which was new. I immediately called the vet and brought her in on Wednesday. They gave her (1) a Benadryl injection instead of a steroid shot bc apparently the steroid is "long lasting" (not sure about this, but fine) (2) another Cerenia injection, and they sent us home with:
- antibiotics (for diarrhea)
- probiotics
- Cerenia
- an appetite stimulant
- Benadryl
That night, I gave her the antibiotics as directed and noticed that Umi became lethargic and drowsy pretty soon after - she even tried to lie down in her litter box, and I'd never seen her do that. I chalked it up to the meds + coming down from anxiety from being at the vet, and I think I was right because she was SO MUCH better the next morning, and has been since (fingers crossed).
Now it's Saturday (8 days post vaccine), and I'm happy to report that she is doing well. She has a great appetite (even without the stimulant) and is acting much more like herself! She hasn't had a bowel movement since starting antibiotics, but I know that's normal for the antibiotic she's on. However, I do catch myself worrying about symptoms returning once she's off all of her medication since so many folks on here are describing a delayed reaction. I know she didn't have a delayed reaction, as she began showing symptoms the same day, but I'm nervous. I'm trying not to worry too much, and I know I'll have to cross that bridge IF we get there, but sometimes my anxiety gets the best of me.
Has anyone had a similar experience in terms of symptoms and the timing? How did you know your cat was officially on the mend and all better?
Sending hugs to everyone on this thread past, present, and future! I will keep you all updated!
