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Cat Vaccination
Risks and Resources

A list of cat vaccination risks, as well as resources used for this site. Below the risks section are some references you can use for your decision on a vaccination schedule for your kitty.

Risks and Side Effects of Vaccines

There are some risks to administering vaccines, and there can be some adverse reactions. These risks are part of the reason some experts are recommending that you opt either not to vaccinate for certain diseases, and reduce the frequency of vaccination for others.

Below are some of the risks, reactions, and possible side effects.

Typically, on the day your cat receives injections, you'll want to make things as stress free as possible. Your cat may be less active that day, not eat as much, and sleep a bit more than usual.

Both mild and more serious allergic reactions to a vaccination are possible. Allergic reactions may appear shortly after or within hours of a vaccination.

More serious reactions may include:

Vomiting
Diarrhea
Whole body itching
Swelling of the face or legs
Difficulty breathing
High heart rate with weak pulse
Pale gums
Cold limbs
Shock
Seizures
Collapse
Coma

The above may occur as symptoms of anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a rare but extreme allergic reaction and can result in anaphylactic shock, leading to coma, respiratory and cardiac failure, and death.

Contact your veterinarian immediately if you see any severe symptoms in your cat. Treatment needs to be administered within minutes.

More mild reactions may include:

Sluggishness
Pain or swelling at the injection site
Reduced appetite
Fever
Temporary lameness

If any of these symptoms persist, consult with your veterinarian.

Another possible side effect of certain cat vaccinations is a form of cancer referred to as injection site sarcoma. This is a tumor that forms at the site of the injection. It may take weeks or months after vaccination for these tumors to appear.

In addition, it's possible that vaccinating too often may due some damage to the immune system of your cat. This may trigger an autoimmune response. Debilitating diseases like lupus and arthritis are autoimmune related.

Immune System Modulation

In addition to a new vaccination schedule for your cat which reduces the quantity and frequency of vaccines over the life of your cat, many feline health experts are also recommending using a combination of a healthy diet and dietary supplements to boost the immune system of your cat.

Experts, such as Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM, say products containing transfer factors can safely enhance the immune system of companion animals and humans as well.

4life makes a liquid product for people (see Riovida), as well as a product specifically for cats (TF Feline Complete). Cats with enhanced immune systems will need fewer vaccines, be less susceptible to parasites, including worms and fleas, and healthier over all.