Feline Luekemia Vaccination Side Effects

Feline leukemia virus is an infectious retrovirus that attacks the immune system of cats. According to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, about 2 to 3 percent of cats in the United States are infected with the feline leukemia virus. There is a vaccine available to help prevent your cat from contracting the virus, but there are some feline leukemia vaccination side effects that pet owners should be aware of.

  1. Fever

    • The normal body temperature of a cat ranges between 100.4 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Signs of fever in cats include decreased drinking, lack of energy, loss of appetite and shivering. The most accurate method for determining if your cat has a fever is to use a rectal thermometer to check its body temperature.

    Lethargy

    • When your cat is lethargic, it will exhibit extreme signs of drowsiness or inactivity. Delayed responses to stimuli are typically also present in lethargic pets, with slow reactions to sounds or visual stimuli.

    Irritation of Injection Site

    • If your cat is sensitive to the ingredients contained within the feline leukemia vaccine, it may develop minor to severe irritation at the site of the injection. A small, firm lump in the skin immediately following the vaccine is common, but if the lump persists for an extended period of time, grows in size or causes your cat to exhibit pain when touched, consult a veterinarian immediately.

    Granulomas

    • Granulomas, sometimes referred to as lick granulomas, are small sores called by a skin disease that produces ulcers within the skin. Granulomas can be caused by a variety of conditions including feline miliary dermatitis and allergic skin reaction, which can occur from an allergy to the feline leukemia vaccine.

    Vaccine-associated Sarcoma

    • A sarcoma is a form of cancer. Vaccine associated sarcoma is a cancerous tumor that forms at the site where the feline leukemia vaccine was administered. Though vaccine-associated sarcoma is a possible side effect of the vaccine, the incident rate of such sarcomas is rare and most feline sarcomas are not caused by routine feline vaccinations.