Dogs, cats, and ferrets that are currently vaccinated with a USDA-licensed rabies vaccine should be revaccinated immediately, kept under the owner’s control, and observed for 45 days. Adult cats need shots less often, usually every year or every 3 years, depending on how long a vaccine is designed to last. “Statistically there is no evidence that cats get lazy or less active after being spayed,” she says. A cat that doesn't feel well or is in pain may not want to jump around and chase toys. We all know that too much food and too little exercise encourages weight gain in humans. You can expect your cat to act differently for a few days while recovering from the operation; however, experts reassure that her personality will remain unchanged. She started to get more aggressive. The vaccine contains viruses that replicate in the cat’s body but do not cause disease. This is because the vaccine causes a chemical reaction in a cat’s brain. Experts say not to worry. If he was an indoor-only cat, he may not need the vaccines. The occasional diarrhea may not be a big deal for a dog or cat, and many reptiles can go as long as a month without pooping, but any change in a bird’s droppings should prompt a call to the vet right away. Can you give me any feedback on your impressions and how I need to proceed with continued love and care for my little one? Visit the Internal Medicine Service website Introduction The UC Davis veterinary hospital vaccination guidelines below have been based on published studies and recommendations made by task forces. Her eyes have a hazy cloudy look and she is still stumbling around, however, her strength and will to keep her balance has greatly improved. Hi – thanks for your email. Widely shared claims on social media link to a video alleging that a future vaccine against COVID-19 would “genetically modify” humans. All three experts say owners need to keep an eye on the incision and check for redness, swelling and seeping of fluids, which can signal an infection and warrant a recheck with the veterinarian. Cats can have vaccine reactions but they are relatively uncommon and do not present like this. The distemper vaccine causes many animals to feel sick to their stomach. “Annual wellness visits with your veterinarian will help you stay on track with your cat’s weight, dietary requirements and overall health,” she adds. The IHC Group. Learn about why avocados are dangerous to dogs and what to do if your pup does get a hold of... Get your overweight dog in tip-top shape with these pet exercises. Read More. Is she running a fever? I don’t know how long after the vaccines that the signs start. A vaccination is a preparation of microorganisms (pathogens), such as viruses or bacteria, that is administered to produce or increase immunity to a particular disease. If the animal under observation develops any signs of illness, it should be evaluated by a veterinarian. The cat was lethargic and she was limping on her right rear leg. If your cat or kitten has a sore looking or partially closed eye, seek immediate veterinary attention. Learn how to diagnose these common fungal infections. Since then we noticed her behavior changed. Also keep in mind that the hormonal changes do not happen overnight, Delgado says. As with any other immunization protocol, a cat vaccination schedule should be adhered to without deviation, in order to ensure your cat remains healthy and well for the duration of his or her life. Common Cat Vaccinations Vaccines protect pets by exposing them to 1) disease-causing microorganisms that have been modified so they can’t cause the illness in question, or 2) small parts of those organisms that induce an immune response. Cats are commonly vaccinated against: Cat flu (feline herpes virus and feline calicivirus) Feline infectious enteritis What diseases can vaccinations protect against? Your cat may seem more reserved after getting the surgery, but that’s because her hormones aren’t fluctuating like they used to when she had heat cycles. A booster 3-4 weeks later is never required nor recommended in cats over 14 weeks of age. Will altered cats be less affectionate? Will altered cats be less affectionate? For adult cats, if you are not sure if your cat has had vaccinations previously, or if you know that they have not had a vaccination appointment within the last 12 months, your cat will need to restart their vaccinations with a primary course, just as if they were a kitten. Cats typically rebound in a day or two after this routine surgery. This vaccine is only given once every three years after the initial one-year booster. Aggressive or unsociable behaviour is also a sign of an unhappy or unwell cat. The cats most severely affected include the very young, the very old and those with a damaged immune system or other serious underlying illnesses. Any illness in an ani… All my cats were fixed as kittens, and the females definitely took a their time getting around and back to normal that first day. If a cat shows any signs of allergic reaction after vaccination, contact a veterinarian immediately. Bach added that if your cat appears hesitant to jump after a few days, give your vet a call. An article that might be helpful to you is Dealing with Cats that Won’t Eat. In addition to addressing the cat’s lifestyle, she suggests looking at other things happening around the same time as the spay surgery that might impact the cat’s behavior. Until your kitten is fully vaccinated (and neutered), you should keep him or her inside. Some cats are temporarily different or never quite the same after vaccination. It is largely influenced by genetics and socialization (nature and nurture). Many pets feel tired for a day or so after receiving a vaccination. It is relatively expensive, so many veterinarians still prefer to use the annual form of the non-adjuvanted vaccine. Prompting the immune system to respond is the whole point of vaccination. Yet some owners hesitate to go through with it for fear that their cat’s behavior or personality might change after the surgery. To balance any changes, Delgado recommends lots of interactive playtime and keeping it on the cat’s terms as well as using clicker training and other ways of reinforcing behaviors you like. She stayed there and then was released. This change is temporary, and you can encourage her with gentle petting along with a warm and quiet location for recovery. Panleukopenia (felin… ©Copyright 1999 - 2020. Cat Personality Changes After Vaccination. Is she eating? When to give vaccines. Swimming has similar benefits for dogs as it does for people. After the puppy or kitten booster series is complete, the immune system has a “memory” of these virus or bacteria parts and thus will mount a swift response when the animal is challenged with the disease later on. Holiday Gift Guide. Some cats are naturally more playful than others and, just like people, they have individual personalities. I truly love this kitty and want to give her all the time and love that I can. So your cat might act timid or jumpy for a few days after. Behaviors can be both positive and negative. Previously active cats probably tend to slow down, which means a cat who always wanted to be outside hunting in his youth may turn into a friendly lap cat when he is older. If your cat is stressed, there are things you can do to help. To read most recent questions Click here! Kittens should start getting vaccinations when they are 6 to 8 weeks old until they are about 16 weeks old. Your cat may appear a little lazy because she won’t be performing those mate-seeking behaviors, but ultimately it’s up to you to make sure she gets enough exercise and stays in shape. “It’s more to do with husbandry.”. The Benefits of Cold Laser Therapy for Dogs and Cats, Ways To Engage Your Cat’s Hunting Instinct, Prebiotics vs. Probiotics: What They Are and How They Can Help Your Cat, Roaming in search of a male cat to mate with, Irritability from the hormone fluctuations, Aggression when competing for male attention or protecting her, Frequent as well as inappropriate urination to attract males and the unwanted attention of unneutered males showing up. Severe allergic reactions may cause breathing difficulties, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, pale gums, and collapse. Maintaining a healthy body weight is vital to your cat’s long-term well being, so Brömme recommends feeding your cat a high-quality, balanced diet and keeping her active by playing with her, using puzzle feeders and providing environmental enrichment. It sounds like your cat is having some neurologic symptoms that are very abnormal. Expandable Foaming Glues like Gorilla Glue Cause Obstructions in Pets. For many cats, a trip to the vet and subsequent surgery might be a frightening and stressful experience. It’s extremely rare, but it does happen. “Ensure easy access to a litter box, water and food — the amount will be recommended by your veterinarian, but it usually is half of her normal serving,” she says. This can upset them, so that a previously well adjusted and happy cat be… Every cat is unique, however unusual levels of grooming or hiding or changes in eating or toilet routines are causes for concern. “A lot of the unaltered behaviors are undesirable for owners.”. Was her glucose normal? Wrapping Up First Aid. Or will they become fat and lazy? “But if your cat has a very sedentary lifestyle and unlimited access to food, she likely will gain weight.”. “There is no evidence spaying a cat will begin negative behaviors.”, By: Caitlin UltimoPublished: March 1, 2018, By: Caitlin UltimoPublished: February 26, 2015, By: Caitlin UltimoPublished: January 13, 2018, By: Caitlin UltimoPublished: September 18, 2017, By: Caitlin UltimoPublished: April 8, 2015, By: Caitlin UltimoPublished: August 24, 2017. Common Household Items can Poison Pets. Electronic Cigarettes are Toxic to Pets. What to do after your pet’s appointment depends on their health. Playing Behavior Changes . After this, kittens and cats usually need 'booster' vaccinations every twelve months. “Of course, getting spayed means no more mate-seeking behaviors or energy expended into rearing kittens,” Brömme explains. If the cat tests negative, you should discuss having him vaccinated against these diseases. Most cats change as they age, just as humans often do. These might be changes in the household, trying a new cat food or simply the aging process — cats can grow less active as they mature, and development can lead to personality traits coming out more or calming down more. In mild cases, which constitute the majority of allergic reactions to vaccines, cats may develop hives, itchiness, redness and swelling of the eyes, lips, and neck, and mild fever. Unfortunately, cat flu still persists, despite the availability of vaccines. After Your Pet Gets Care. “Overall, your cat’s personality should not change,” Brömme says. An adult cat vaccination schedule, which includes periodic booster immunizations, will be scheduled one year after the kitten vaccination schedule has been completed. I have noticed she is not seeing very well but can hear us call her and will follow our calls. Bach also addressed owners’ concerns about weight gain after spaying. I had then decided to take her to our local emergency vet clinic. “There is no statistical evidence of behavior change due to surgery,” she adds. There are so many possibilities of what it could be. The other night a cat came to my office at 2 am. “Spaying eliminates heat cycles, and cats can be extremely affectionate and vocal during a heat cycle,” Brömme says. So let’s look at this. “Overall, your cat’s personality should not change,” Brömme says. This is why the dreaded ‘cone of shame’ is so important in our post-operative patients. All Rights Reserved. Behavior change in a kitten after vaccination. There can be no disputing that vaccines save lives but they also have the potential to cause serious side effects which will be discussed on this webpage.Before we get started on this discussion, it is important to understand that there is no single vaccine protocol t… I just don’t think putting her down without knowing exactly what she has is a reasonable option, but it seems to be the “in” thing to do these days. As is sleeping in a hunched pose, and spraying indoors. A few cats undergo personality or behavioral changes when a companion is lost. Goodness, this sounds like a very complicated case. After that, an adult cat should be boostered for distemper every one to three years. Is she weak? Toxicities. Wound Healing in Dogs and Cats. Then they must be boostered a year latyer.. While there has been no major research on the subject of feline bereavement, a survey by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals found that cats ate less, slept more and became more vocal after the death of a companion cat. Also contact your veterinarian if you think your cat still is groggy or lethargic the day following surgery.”. Some cat owners have expressed concerns about whether their pet’s general personality will change after being spayed. Try these herbs and flower essences to calm your cat. Debunking Misconceptions of Spay / Neuter Surgeries. she wants to clean herself and tries to play like she used to. This is because the animal's immune system is fighting a low dose of the disease in the vaccine, which can upset the gastrointestinal tract. Some cat owners have expressed concerns about whether their pet’s general personality will change after being spayed. Mild vomiting due to nausea is not uncommon, but … Fortunately, reactions to vaccines are very uncommon in cats. “As a result, your cat might seem a bit calmer after getting spayed because she no longer will have these cycles.”. What Are the Side Effects of Rabies Vaccines in Cats? Vaccination Guidelines for Dogs and Cats How we can help Call 530-752-1393 to schedule an appointment with the Internal Medicine Service. Feline Distemper Vaccine Side Effects **Click here to see the full list of Ask Dr. Debra Questions and Answers! “Behavior changes immediately after a spay are more due to the surgery itself,” says trainer and behaviorist Lisa Bach, owner of Boomerang Pet Care in Deerfield, Wisconsin. I can’t see how that can be rabies. The shots come in a series every 3 to 4 weeks. Housecats live relatively sedentary lives unless we provide them with an enriched and stimulating environment with things to scratch, climb and play with, Delgado says. Now, I am here on the internet trying to get answers. Wounds: First Aid. Did they do routine blood work including a complete blood count, diagnostic profile, feline leukemia and feline aids tests? He told us she had a screw loose and that she had a shot knot. Another benefit is that vaccinated cats can shed attenuated vaccine virus particles in the feces. Just out of surgery, expect to see a groggy and perhaps a little disoriented cat coming out of anesthesia. He told me to bring her in and he would get to her when he could. He gave her a shot of cortizone. My spayed adult cat still hides out of reach under the bed for at least half the day after any trip to the vet, so I give her space and quiet, sometimes some gentle words and a treat, and wait patiently for her to readjust. Check for Other Communicable Diseases A larger percentage of cats in shelters carry the baggage of URIs (Upper Respiratory Infections). Recently, my kitten (2 months old) had her first installment of vaccinations. Find out what cold laser therapy treatments are about and if your pet could benefit from them. “The biggest behavior change is female cats not going into heat.”. Personality is the overall emotional makeup of your pet. “If your cat has been licking excessively at her incision, the chance of an infection developing is high. He did not know what was wrong. Your cat may seem more reserved after getting the surgery, but that’s because her hormones aren’t fluctuating like … After receiving a vaccine, if your dog comes in contact with the pathogen in the future, their immune system can respond quickly and effectively, which reduces the chance that serious illness will result. Much will depend on the known history of the cat. Most of us realize the importance of spaying our feline friends. By: Caitlin UltimoPublished: September 5, 2016, BeWell / Wellness / Cat Behavior After Spaying. Then the next day I called him back because she started hanging her head and falling to the right and could not keep her balance. “If your cat has a reduced interest in eating for more than two days after getting spayed, it is time to contact your veterinarian,” Brömme says. They are subtle and gradual; your cat will not wake up like a different cat. “Your cat likely will be sore around her incision, so be gentle when handling her for the first few days.”. “Don’t expect sudden changes in your spayed cat, but subtle changes might take place,” Bach says. Also, As for becoming fat and lazy? We took her to our vet. Cats can have vaccine reactions but they are relatively uncommon and do not present like this. But when a regularly playful cat doesn't want to play like it used to, it may be cause for concern. Vaccine Information for Dogs, Cats, Puppies and Kittens. Continue boostering every one to three years for the rest of the cat’s life. Or will they become fat and lazy? So, it was with a heavy heart I had to leave again without an answer. Some cats suffer from cognitive decline in their later years, and forget things like proper use of the litter tray, or even forget where they are. If they have not done some basic tests, I’d recommend letting them do that. ... Goodness, this sounds like a very complicated case. Experts say not to worry. Behavior is a result of your pet’s personality in relation to his environment. I don’t know how long after the vaccines that the signs start. I’d encourage her to eat – hand feed her, give her some “smelling” food, whatever it takes to get her to eat. Her owner was very worried. This claim is scientifically untrue. Some cats show more aggression when in pain and feeling vulnerable, so Maria Brömme, DVM, a veterinarian at Alicia Pet Care Center in Mission Viejo, California, recommends providing her with a quiet and warm location in which to recover. They told me she acted as if she had rabies and informed me I should have her put down. Behavior change in a kitten after vaccination. To start with, Mikel Delgado, a certified cat behavior consultant and co-owner of Feline Minds in Berkley, California, confirms that no research shows any negative effects on a cat’s personality after spay. It’s the same for our frisky felines. This normally lasts for around 48 hours. Could it be infectious? Personality change after surgery A 2017 study suggests it’s possible that changes to the brain may last after people are given general anesthesia for surgery. Booster vaccines usually are given to adult cats every 1-3 years, depending on the vaccine type and the cat’s risk factors. Actually, in addition to preventing unplanned litters and decreasing the chances of hormone-related diseases, one of the reasons people spay their cats is to reduce or stop unwanted behaviors, such as: “In the wild, healthy animals function to hunt and reproduce, and that doesn’t really work for us as pet keepers or guardians,” Delgado explains. “They might experience tenderness, be a little less active and have a bit of a decreased appetite for a day or two, but in two to three days, the cat should bounce back to her normal self. I didn’t feel that I had enough evidence of rabies and that it could also have been some other possible diseases but significant testing would have to be done which would end up costing us over 5,000.00. If the kitten series of boosters is missed, the cat needs two distemper vaccines, three to four weeks apart, then another booster one year later. In very rare cases (1-10 of every 10,000 vaccines administered), cats can have allergic reactions to vaccines. 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