first shots for bella...whats a normal reaction

[talula509]

bella (12 weeks old) had her first shots today at the vet approximately 3 hours ago now. According to the reciept it was FVRCP. She also got some blood drawn for a lukemia test. Since we've been home all she wants to do is sleep. she hasn't moved much (from the bed to the couch and the couch to the chair) and when i touch her in the general area of the vaccination (by her right? shoulder) or the blood draw (left hind leg) she withdraws and yowls in pain. she isn't interested in food or water right now. I"m continuing to moniter her and i will call the vet if things get bad, but i was just wondering if this is a normal reaction to the first vaccinations.

[Traci]

Everything you are describing is a common reaction to vaccinations. The injection sites will be sore for at least 48 hours post-vaccination, so don't pet or manipulate those areas at all.

If she's not eating/drinking by tomorrow afternoon, call your vet immediately.....most kittens/cats will be interested in food and water the day following vaccinations, and will also be more active and energetic.

[talula509]

well, i monitered her for the rest of the evening and by nine she was worse...she was tremmoring, very lethargic, and her eyes were beginning to swell. I took her to the ER and her temp had gone up alot, so they decided to keep her over night for monitering, fluids, and treatment with benadryl. I'm soooo worried about her. I am wondering why this would happen....any ideas? how do i keep it from happening again? i'm confused! Hopefully in the morning when i pick her up she'll be feeling better.

Is it wrong to be so paranoid? i mean, who's to say i didn't overreact, maybe she would have felt better in the morning without medical attention. Sometimes i just feel like i'm too protective you know

[Cleo]

I'm sorry this happened to Bella and I hope the ER vet has it under control and she's feeling better.

NO WAY are you overreacting or are overprotective! In fact just today we were at the vet's seen by the tech. My Molly has a scooting/anal gland problem. After all the stress and manipulation of being expressed, she ended up having a poop on herself in the carrier when we were at the front desk waiting to pay. While I was downstairs with the tech washing her off the vet walked through asking him what "the neurotic woman had to say". I answered indicating I hadn't had time to say anything yet because I was taking care of this poop situation! Apparently I'm thought of as neurotic because I also had them draw blood to do a pre-surgical screening. Molly is 2 and needs to have a dental cleaning. They don't feel the money should be wasted on a cat this young needing a blood profile. I had the same blood work done in May when my 3 year old Keeks went for a dental cleaning which resulted in the diagnosis of stomatis and extraction of 6 teeth. They are MY cats, MY money and if they don't want to do it I'll be more than happy to find a vet who will!

Of course the vet then tried to backpedal but that's only because I caught him expressing his view of me (and obviously other overly concerned meowmies). Yeah I'm neurotic, a bit on the psychotic side as well. I don't mind owning up to it and if it gets the results I desire in giving the best to my cats then so be it!

So ..... you did the right thing by taking your kitty to the ER vet. Tremors and lethargy are a serious thing. And a high fever is not something you want to let wait until the morning. Please post an update as soon as you can. I'm so concerned for your little one and will keep a good thought.

Cleo

[Mona]

I hope Bella is doing better now. My older girl has more of a reaction to shots, and my vet now gives her Benadryl up front before the actual shot is given. This helps the reaction.

Please let us know how she does when she is home.

Mona, HOneybun and Chloe

[Traci]

Your first post indicated a common mild reaction to the vaccines, but later on, your kitty clearly was developing an anaphylactic reaction to them, and you did the right thing in getting her to an ER vet.

While rare, these severe reactions can occur. For future reference, demand that your vet mark the following in your kitten's health chart, clearly and with a bold marker for all of the clinic staff to recognize:

1) Mark "NOTE! VACCINE REACTIONS!" (include date of reaction)

2) Note Type of vaccine(s) injected, manufacturer, expiration date, lot number, location on body where given

3) Note clinical signs of reaction clearly, including treatment given

4) Ask vet to recommend at least 8-hour monitorization in clinic after any vaccinations given from this point onward

5) Request preventativ measure of benedryl prior to future vaccinations.

If Bella will be an indoor kitty only, you may be able to get away with finishing her booster series and then only vaccinating every three years. Please see Feline Vaccinations for more information on vaccines, risk factors, current suggested guidelines, etc. Feel free to discuss them and your concerns with your vet.

Hang in there, with proper vet support, Bella should come through fine.....

[talula509]

i picked up bella this morning and she seems to be doing tons better! Thank you for all your support and advice. i will be sure to make sure the vet keeps her for observation next time. We also got the happy news that she is FIV and FeLV negative (they were a possibility since she's been sick on and off in the month i've had her). since i've got y'all here i need some advice. i'm gonna be going out of town for 4 days and i don't know if i should leave her. i have someone who could come feed her and play with her a few times a day, but i'm afraid she'll get lonely being all by herself most of the time. There are a few other possibilities (i could have someone stay here possibly, not sure if thats gonna work out though, or i could board her). what would you do?

[Cleo]

So glad to hear Bella is much better! Thank goodness!

Personally I wouldn't board my cats. The separation from you will be tough enough without taking her out of her element altogether. If you have someone responsible to see to it she gets fresh food, water and a litter change on a daily basis I'd go that route. I'm assuming she's an indoor cat so please stress to your caretaker (if you opt not to board her) to be careful of leaving doors, windows, etc. open.

I'm sure others will be along with helpful advice.

Cleo
(who hasn't taken a vacation in 3 years because of her pets! )

[talula509]

i didn't even think of seperation anxiety! any advice on how frequent the visits while i'm gone should be? should i have more than one person come by at different times? ugh...i already know that i am sooo not gonna have fun on my trip, worrying about her all the time! if i hadn't had this planned for the last year, i wouldn't go! i DO work twelve hour shifts 3-4 times a week, so i'll just try to think of it like she'll just think i'm at work the whole time or something

[Cleo]

I remember having to go away overnight when I just had my one cat. She was a year old at the time. My Mom took care of her for me during those 24 hours and said she didn't come out from under the bed the whole time. She was well acquainted with my Mom, ran out into the kitchen like normal when she heard the door but upon realizing it wasn't *me* she retreated back under the bed and stayed there. She did come out to eat at some point but whoa!!! was she mad when I got back. It took at least another day for her to forgive me!

Personally I would only have one person, the same person, go over on a daily basis. Perhaps once in the morning and once in the evening.

I can't tell you not the worry because remember, I'm the "neurotic lady" but I will tell you to enjoy your vacation, it'll be fine!!

Cleo