humans do react to vaccines on a regular basic, often children who have a vaccine, feel miserable, achy, tired,low grade fever after their vaccines. It is quite typical.
Of course there is a difference between an average "reaction" of feeling miserable, and an "allergic reaction". Some animals do follow in the same category of feeling under the weather after a vaccine, just as people do.
But I do feel it is important for a possible allergic reaction to be taken seriously by the Doctor and or office that preformed the vaccine.
Don't take this personally Ms Binky, but often peoplecan't always tell what is going on in the difference, and may miss an important factor that makes the difference between general reaction and allergic reaction, so i think if a person thinks their animal is having a potential vaccine reaction, the least a vet could do is say, bring them down real quick, we'll have a very quick look at them just to be sure it's NOT an allergic reaction.
If the animal is fine, send them on their way, if not, then they can do something about it. that is how we operate, we'd rather know for a fact the animal is OK and their human is maybe extra sensitive,( not the right word but best I can think of at the moment, ) than ignore a potentialallergic reaction, and have something happen.
I don't know which vaccine your cat had, but my 2 opinions on it are depending on what vaccine it is. If it is a rabies vaccine, with the seriousness of rabies, and being 100% fatal, not to mention passable to humans and any other mammal, To me unless there is other serious health issues then a rabies vaccine in my opinion should be done regardless, and pre-dosed prior to having the vaccine so there isn't an allergic reaction.
Rabies however is one of the vaccines that is typically least likely to cause a reaction.
Typically one of the others is the culprit, the feline "distemper"vaccine which is often a combo vaccine of several vaccines in one. We have found feline "distemper" vaccine that contain the clamidia vaccine in them, are a allergic reaction trigger. To the point we don't even use the vaccine with clamidia in it any more. We use a "distemper" vaccine that does not contain clamidia.
I do not know what your laws are on requiring other vaccines that are not rabies, opinions on options, not knowing your laws.
We often only give the "distemper" vaccine to house cats who do not go out side at all, every 3 years, the actual true distemper virus is in fact a feline parvo virus, highly contagious. if there is a population of feral cats in your area, the chances of your cat coming in contact with it are much greater. It had a 90% change of fatality.
other virus's that are vaccinated for, aren't all "fatal" some just make the animal really miserable like if you were to have a bad flu bug, but they will get better.
Then there are things link FeLV(feline Leukemia) has a vaccine, and FIV(feline immunodeficiency virus, basically feline aids) also has a vaccine. , A cat who does become sick with either of these you have to be careful about what they are exposed to, as their immune systems are far more susceptible to illness, but they can live happy and normal lives with the disease, but typically shorter lives.
I personally do not have a cat, the last time i had a cat was 1997, so I can't say I know for a fact what I would do, but i can tell you what i would think I would do.
If my cat was indoors only, which for me, there are just so many human dangers out there, that would be the only option to me, my last cat was a house cat.
To me no questions hands down, rabies would be done as is required by law. If in the odd chance my cat had a vaccine reaction, I would have my cat pre-dosed prior to vaccine to be sure she would be ok( I tend to have females cats, when i"ve had them, so I'll prob just say she)
If my cat was fine and never had reactions, after her first kitten shots I'd probably vaccinate her every 3 years. Being an indoor cat, would probably do her rabies, and her "distemper" vaccine minus clamidia, those every 3 years. Rabies vaccine in my area by law after after the first kitten shot, you have to get the next vaccine 10-12 months after but not more than 12 months, and then it becomes a 3 year vaccine.
same applies to dogs for rabies.
if my cat had an allergicreaction to the "distemper vaccine" my options in my mine, 1, pre-dose and do the vaccine, 2, since it is not require by law in my area and the cat is a house cat, do not do the vaccine again, runs risk though if the cat escapes, 3, titre the cat either yearly, every other year, or every 3 years and check the levels in the system, vaccinate when needed, and pre-dose prior to the vaccine.
for some animals the vaccine stays in their system for a good amt of time, for others it drops much quicker, so while one cat their vaccine may be good in their system for 6 years, another cat might need tohave abooster every 2 years.
in the end you have to do what you feel is best for both the cat and yourself.
I hope some of the info has helped. And i know it was very long winded of me, But I'd like to help you make what you feel is the best decision for you and your cat.
I know i did not cover all of the vaccines listen that are included in the "distemper" vaccine, but that is because there are several vaccines available, and they each have a different number of vaccines in them, it depends on what combo your vet uses, or if they have single vaccines, which most currently do not..
If you kitty received the"distemper" vaccine personally I'd check to see if it contains clamidia, if it does, then maybe on her next booster, asking for one that does not have clamidia in it, see if that helps. it is an additional option depending on what vaccines your kitty got.
best wishes, kisses to the kitty--G
