Side Effects of Feline Vaccinations

Feline leukemia vaccines have been shown to cause swelling at the injection site, fever, and lethargy.

A cat experiencing a reaction to the feline distemper vaccine may show signs of nasal discharge, depression, vomiting, and sneezing or a running nose.

It is time to contact the cat's veterinarian; if vomiting becomes profuse, a high fever persists, or the cat exhibits breathing difficulty.

The feline rabies vaccine can affect a cat’s nervous system, often leading to seizures or a loss of motor skills.  Other side effects can appear in the form of kidney or liver damage.  Side effects due to nervous system damage can take up to 45 days to make an appearance.

One of the more serious reactions a cat can have is due to the development of a tumor at the injection site.  Tumors of this type can take years to develop.  A tumor of this nature is known as fibro a rare quickly spreading cancer sarcoma.

One of the worst case scenarios occurs when a cat has an anaphylactic reaction after receiving a vaccine.  A reaction of this sort can be life-threatening.  Fluid and sometimes blood can pool in the cat’s airways.