Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
ADVERSE RESPONSES TO VACCINES
The AAFP has standardized vaccine administration sites to help identi-
fy causes of local adverse reactions, and to aid in the treatment of
vaccine-associated sarcomas. Abbreviated, FRCP vaccines should be
administered over the right shoulder, FeLV in the left rear, and rabies in
the right rear; all should be administered as far down the leg as practi-
cal. If a veterinarian has given different vaccines in different sites, then
it's clear which vaccine caused the problem.
Adverse responses to vaccination do occur. Common reactions that
go away on their own include pain or swelling at the injection site. If
any type of lump, bump or swelling occurs in an area where you think
a cat may have been vaccinated, you should have it examined by your
veterinarian. It is not uncommon for a temporary reaction to occur, but
if it lasts for more than a month, it should be evaluated by cytology (a
microscopic examination of cells to determine the cause of a disease)
and/or biopsy (removing tissue for microscopic examination and diag-
nosis).You should consult with your veterinarian if any type of reaction
occurs after your cat receives a vaccination.
Allergic reactions can occur in some cats after they have been vac-
cinated. These reactions can range from mild to severe anaphylaxis
(potentially fatal allergic reaction). If your cat has previously had any
type of allergic reaction, you should alert your veterinarian and discuss
possible preventive measures.These could include splitting up multiple
vaccines so the cat has just one vaccine at a time, medicating with an
antihistamine and/or a corticosteroid before the cat gets the vaccine, or
even discontinuing certain vaccines.
If your cat has an allergic reaction or vomiting and lethargy
after vaccination, discuss splitting up the combination vaccines into
individual vaccines that are given at different times. The AAFP report
discourages the use of polyvalent vaccines (a single shot that contains
the vaccine of more than one illness), other than combinations of FPV,
FHV-1 and FCV, because using combination vaccines may force doc-
tors to administer vaccines that a cat does not need. In addition, as the
number of agents in a single vaccine increases, so does the possibility of
adverse vaccine reactions.Your veterinarian may even be able to split up
the FPV, FHV-1 and FCV vaccines into single doses that your cat can
receive at different times if she is particularly sensitive. These vaccines
must be ordered specially, but they are available.
Another possibility is discontinuing vaccination altogether. The
purpose of vaccines is to help protect your cat, not make her sick.
