What to Do for a Cat That Is Not Acting Right After Getting Shots

Regular vaccination shots contribute to keeping your cat healthy and disease free. Diseases such as feline leukemia, rabies and FIV (the feline equivalent of HIV) can be avoided by having your vet keep your cat up-to-date on its shots. As with human medicine, feline vaccinations can have side effects or cause allergic reactions in certain cats.

  1. Medicate

    • An allergic reaction to shots often causes uncomfortable itching for your furry friend. An over-the-counter antihistamine designed for human infants, such as Children's Benadryl, will alleviate itching until the cat recovers from the allergic reaction. Give your cat half a teaspoon of the antihistamine once or twice per day. Using a dropper, squirt the antihistamine down your cat's throat and stroke the underside of its neck to encourage swallowing. Always check with your vet before administering any drug intended for human use.

    TLC

    • Cats sometimes become more lethargic than normal after receiving shots. If this is the case, your cat will need some extra care from you. Give it plenty of attention and cuddles. If the lethargy is extreme, you may need to force the cat to drink water for a short while. Water can be force-fed with a plastic dropper normally used for liquid medication. Push the tip of the dropper into your cat's mouth until it opens its jaw and quickly squirt the water down its throat. Hold its mouth closed and gently stroke its throat until it swallows the water. If it refuses to eat for a day, it will be just fine. But if the cat refuses food or water for any longer than that, take it to the vet for a checkup. The important thing is to keep the cat hydrated.

    Check for Bumps

    • Check your cat's skin at the injection spot for any lumps or bumps. While not a severe reaction, such lumps can be painful and uncomfortable for your cat. If such a lump is present, you may want to use an ointment to relieve your cat's pain or discomfort. You can find these ointments at your local pet store or through your vet. Handle the lump gently so as not to cause any more discomfort to your cat.

    Visit the Vet

    • If your cat has a severe reaction or one that lasts several days, return it to the vet for evaluation. Severe reactions can include anaphylaxis, which is an allergic reaction that can cause your cat to stop breathing. Anaphylaxis will present within a few minutes to an hour after the vaccination. If your cat is having breathing problems, take it to the vet immediately. Severe reactions such as anaphylaxis are rare, but if your cat experiences one make sure your vet is aware so the problem can be avoided in the future.