Cat Not The Same After Vaccines

[MayBinky]

My 12 year old male cat was perfectly healthy and had as much energy as a kitten before I updated his vaccines. I trusted the vet when she said he was long overdue for rabies and the FVRCP vaccines. He had these only once before at the shelter I adopted him from ten years ago. I only took him to the vet because he suddenly had an itchy rash on his legs that was just seasonal allergies. I thought it wise to get anything else he needs while there. He got his vaccines Monday morning, along with a steroid for his allergy rash, and it is now Friday morning and he has never been the same cat I have had the last ten years. I used to have to set an hour aside each day to play with him because he had so much energy. He would paw at me and beg to play and get so excited when I got his toys out. He would leap a foot off the ground jumping after his bird toys. Now, he doesn't play at all. He used to follow me around the house, not anymore. His appetite has increased, and he eats his entire portion of food in one sitting and has never done this before. He wants more food a couple hours later. He eats and drinks and goes to the bathroom. I took him back to the vet yesterday, on Thursday, and the vet refuses to blame this on vaccines and tries to tell me there is nothing wrong with him. He doesn't have a fever and she said she doesn't see any signs that he is in pain. My cat walks very slowly around the house and just sleeps and eats. He used to run everywhere, play, and very curious and talkative. He's so quiet now and weird. It’s seriously like my cat got a lobotomy. Will this go away? Will my cat come back to me?

 

[She's a witch]

it is possible that it's steroids' effect - my cat was lethargic and had increased appetite while on them. How long is this steroid shot supposed to work?

 

[FeebysOwner]

I agree with She's a witch - both increased appetite and lethargy are possible side effects from to the steroid shot. Your vet should have been able to tell you this when you took your boy back to their office. I would call and find out how long the steroid shot will remain in his system and how long it might be before the side effects subside.

 

[war&wisdom]

It's most likely the steroid. That was my first thought upon reading your post. As others have said, lethargy and increased appetite are common side effects of steroids.

 

[Willowy]

Yeah, steroids have a lot of side effects. But also, the vet shouldn't have given vaccines and steroids at the same time---steroids suppress the immune system, which would prevent the body from properly developing immunity in response to the vaccines. Also, vaccines should only be given to healthy animals (and people). So. There's a lot going on there; I wouldn't want to go back to that vet.

Was it a steroid shot? It should wear off in a couple of weeks. As long as he's eating and drinking he should get through this OK. Make sure that you mention his reaction if a vet wants to give him steroids in the future.

 

[MayBinky]

Wow. Why is my vet not telling me this I wonder...He got steroid called Triamcinalone, but when I first reported signs of his behavior over the phone Tuesday morning, she just said he should have no side effects. She did, however, blame his lethargy on these treats I gave him Monday morning called "calming head to tail". I just gave him one because he gets so stressed with vet visits. She said he is probably stoned which seems so silly to me. I am supposed to call her back Monday morning if he still isn't acting right because she's convinced he will sober up over the weekend. I am getting the feeling she doesn't want to attach any of his symptoms to anything she provided which worries me that she is more concerned about her ego than of my cats health. I might have to call and ask about the steroid because she gave me no information and since he has never been sick or had any steroids before, I am not used to asking these questions. Thanks everybody.

 

[FeebysOwner]

I did look up that particular steroid, and it doesn't specifically mention lethargy but it does talk about mood changes. So, maybe what you are seeing as lethargy is actually related the steroid affecting his mood/behavior?
Trimacinolone for Cats

Maybe there is a correlation between the steroid and the calming product? What calming product did you use?

 

[MayBinky]

I did look up that particular steroid, and it doesn't specifically mention lethargy but it does talk about mood changes. So, maybe what you are seeing as lethargy is actually related the steroid affecting his mood/behavior?
Trimacinolone for Cats

Maybe there is a correlation between the steroid and the calming product? What calming product did you use?

I found these side-effects when I looked up that steroid:
Side Effects of Triamcinolone

There are two categories of side effects that may be noticed when administering Triamcinolone to your cat. There are common side effects, and then there are adverse reactions that appear when this drug is taken for prolonged periods of time. The ones from the first category include:

• Depression
• Excessive thirst
• Increased appetite
• Increased urination
• Lethargy
• Panting
• Vomiting

​

He has all of these except vomiting and panting (he vomited once the morning after injection). He does seem to be breathing heavier, but nothing like sticking his tongue out and panting necessarily. He had extreme excessive thirst and urinating for only the first two days, but the increased appetite, depression, and lethargy have persisted.

The calming product is just herbal treats you can buy at the pet store called "calming head to tail" and their website says they do not cause any drowsiness and only last four hours. I would not expect something like this to be so sedating and last for days. He only had one treat and you can give them multiples.

Thanks for your help. Truly appreciate it.​

 

[MayBinky]

It's most likely the steroid. That was my first thought upon reading your post. As others have said, lethargy and increased appetite are common side effects of steroids.

Does this mean that it will go away?

 

[MayBinky]

it is possible that it's steroids' effect - my cat was lethargic and had increased appetite while on them. How long is this steroid shot supposed to work?

I have no clue. My vet did not tell me and I didn't know to ask. Even after discussing his odd behavior, both over the phone and in person, she still has not mentioned the steroid injection even once.

 

[Kflowers]

I think it maybe time for a new vet. One who will talk to you about the side effects of what she gives your cat, one who know which drugs interact with other drugs (steroid and vaccinations, not good, not impressed. To insist on giving all at the same time - was she afraid you'd run away without getting them, thus putting her income before your cat's health?) New vet time.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Does this mean that it will go away?

When the steroid shot wears off - if the symptoms you are seeing are in fact from the steroid - the side effects should also wear off.

At a minimum, ask the vet's office how long the steroid shot is due to last.

If this keeps up much longer, look for another vet, get copies of all records your cat has on file with the current vet to take with you. That will help to reduce redundant tests and costs.

 

[Kflowers]

As FeebysOwner said, get the copies of the records at the vet, stand there and wait for them to make the copies. If you ask them to send the records to the new vet, odds are they'll only send a list of the cat's vaccinations, NOTHING else.

 

[MayBinky]

I think it maybe time for a new vet. One who will talk to you about the side effects of what she gives your cat, one who know which drugs interact with other drugs (steroid and vaccinations, not good, not impressed. To insist on giving all at the same time - was she afraid you'd run away without getting them, thus putting her income before your cat's health?) New vet time.

I know. I am having a difficult time finding a good vet. I moved to Ohio from Oregon only a year ago and had yet to establish a new vet when the allergic rash appeared. Once I saw weird red sores on him, I scrambled to find a place to get him in ASAP. The fist vet said she didn't know what it was and gave me antibiotics. Upon arriving home I noticed the antibiotics had been expired for over a year and didn't really like the idea of giving him medicine for something undiagnosed anyhow, so, a week later I took him somewhere else because the sores were appearing in new places. I found a cat only vet that had ALL five star reviews. That is the place the vet gave him all his vaccines and steroids. They are closed all weekend so I cannot call. The only other vet around me is a place that for some reason I cannot get into quickly. They have some weird mandatory initial greeting visit for new patients that is a two week wait. I called begging them to see my cat and save the greeting for later when he is well, but they declined saying they cannot do that with new patients. I am so frustrated. My cat is so unwell and I am not even sleeping or eating I am so stressed and worried. I've had this cat for ten years, I'm 40 and unmarried, he is all I have.

 

[Furballsmom]

They are closed all weekend so I cannot call.

Hi! Have you called the regular clinic number and listened to the voicemail greeting? Do they provide an after-hours emergency number?

 

[Furballsmom]

Is there anything here that might help, if you're not already familiar with these?

From @Mamanyt1953 ;
Here are some articles that will help you evaluate a new vet, and communicate effectively with them:

How To Choose The Best Veterinarian For My Cat?

How To Talk To Your Vet

Should you decide to look for a feline specialist, and this can be a very good thing, this site has a search engine for vets in the USA. Just be sure to enter the "cat only" choice, not "cat friendly."

AAFP | American Association of Feline Practitioners

 

[Kflowers]

I'm so sorry this mess has occurred. Did you like your vet where you used to live? If so can you call him and email him pictures? since he knows your cat, he might be able to help until you find a new vet, or move to a better place.

 

[MayBinky]

Hi! Have you called the regular clinic number and listened to the voicemail greeting? Do they provide an after-hours emergency number?

Their recording says for after hours emergencies call med vet, which is a twenty four hour vet urgent care that is forty-five minutes away from me and the reviews are horrid. I also worry about having him in the car for that long of a drive due to how traumatized he gets from being in his carrier and in the car. My only option is to take him back to the first place that gave me expired medicine and couldn't diagnose his skin rash. They are the only vet here open on weekends. I want to get his blood work analysis again to see if anything has changed because he got blood work done on Monday as well and everything came back perfect and I have all the paper work here with me. I am stressing that along with his increased appetite he is also not having bowel movements. He is only urinating. I wasn't worried at first because he normally skips a day here and there, but it is going on day five now without a bowel movement.

 

[Furballsmom]

Realizing the reviews are bad and that they could be valid, but that could also possibly be disgruntled employees or someone who lost their pet and needs a scapegoat and wants to blacklist them.
However, for whichever vet drive, can you pick up some calming spray and try a calming collar for him?

 

[Furballsmom]

For yourself, try some chamomile tea with honey, or try some holy basil. He'll pick up on your upset emotions, hang in there!! and you're right, he needs checked out for the lack of pooping .