Why a Cat Is Purring & Breathing Funny After Vaccinations

Cats often have a mild reaction to a vaccination. For the first few hours, they may be groggy, lethargic or have mild breathing problems. If your cat is purring and breathing hard, it may or may not be a sign of a serious reaction. You should monitor the cat carefully; if her symptoms get worse or she seems to be having trouble breathing, she may need emergency medical treatment.

  1. Common Reactions to Vaccinations

    • Pet Education says that it is common for the injection site to be red or sore in the hours following a vaccination. If your cat was vaccinated against a respiratory illness such as feline herpes, he may breathe slightly harder than usual or show other signs of mild respiratory distress such as sneezing or coughing. Other vaccinations do not usually cause respiratory distress. These symptoms are normal and usually pass within a week.

    Possible Meanings of Purring

    • Cats purr to comfort themselves when nervous, upset, or in pain, according to an article published on I Love Cats.com. Your cat may be purring because the injection site is sore or because he didn't like getting a shot, but he also may purr if he's in serious pain. Therefore, purring by itself is not a symptom of a serious reaction.

    Purring and Breathing

    • Cats purr both when inhaling and exhaling. Purring does not interfere with breathing, although some cats breathe harder when purring. If your cat is breathing harder than normal, you may want to take her back to the vet.

    Duration of Symptoms

    • Most mild reactions to vaccinations do not require medical treatment. Symptoms usually resolve themselves within a few days, although some symptoms, such as soreness around the injection site, may take up to a week. Your cat may continue to purr and breathe harder during this time.

    When to Take Your Cat to the Vet

    • If your cat is having obvious difficulty breathing, take him to the vet or emergency room right away. You should also return to the vet as soon as possible if your cat seems severely ill. If your cat's legs and tail feel cold, she has a seizure, or she vomits violently, she could be suffering from anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a potentially fatal reaction that can kill an animal within 24 hours. If your cat exhibits these symptoms, get treatment immediately.