Cat vaccination - bad after-effect

[TrickyD]

When we took our rescue cat for her vaccination last year, she was very knocked out for about three days. Floppy and listless off her food. We were really worried that we would lose her. She perked up eventually.

We have asked our vet if she could have a different make of vaccine this time but they only use Nobivac.

They won’t order a different make as it only comes in large packs and would be wasted.

I have various questions:

If we take her to a different vet and get a different make of vaccine, would having a different one be safe?

Has anyone else had a bad reaction to vaccine, particularly to Nobivac?

She is mainly an indoor cat, allowed out only when we can keep an eye on her.

Any thoughts most welcome.

You could phone some other vet surgeries and explain your predicament and see what they say. It's unusual to react like this and I would be very reluctant to give her a booster.
Does she roam freely or is she an indoor only cat? I

Our cat had a funny reaction to vaccination a couple of times
(Although different to yours I believe)
I believe the vet now gives antihistamine or such like at the same time so it doesn't happen again

Something to ask your vet about

@purpleme12

Something to ask your vet about

As I said, I did ask the vet. They only offer the same vaccine they gave her last time.,

pippabean, no she does not roam freely, she confines herself to our garden and is only let out when we are around.
We will ring other vets tomorrow and also ask about purplene12’s suggestion of antihistamine.
Thank you.

Sorry purpleme12, I hadn’t realised you meant ask about the antihistamine.

@TrickyD
I'm totally pro vaccines but when my horse had a hideous reaction to her last one, I decided not give her another one after that. If your cat isn't really coming into contact with other cats then I personally wouldn't give her another one. You've got to decide what's best for your cat though.
I work in animal welfare by the way, and I have a wide range of experience with many different animals and the most important thing I have ever learned is that it's people for opinions, animals for answers.

SIL cat had a bad reaction to annual booster and sadly died a few days later after being admitted to the vets. Cat was 5 years old. I don't know the drug that was used.

Vaccine reactions are rare but they do happen unfortunately.

As she goes outside she does need to be vaccinated really as she can pick up things from the soil and stagnant water etc, but I would definitely ring round the local vets and see if any of them use a different brand.

It may also be worth speaking to the rescue and find out what brand they used. If they're nearby you could see if you could take her to their vets?

I would take her to a different vet.

Our cat had an even worse reaction to her first vaccination (had to be hospitalised for 2 days as wasn't breathing right) and they gave a different kind of vaccine a year later and everything was fine. Look for a larger chain of vet practices.

Thank you everyone. We have made an appointment for next week with a different vet who can use a different make of vaccine.

I am rather annoyed at the lack of flexibility of the original vet, as we paid up front for 'lifetime' vaccinations.

However, when it comes to Moppet's welfare , DH would go to any lengths to keep her healthy. He completely dotes on her. ( I do too) .

Just to say Moppet had her vaccination at a different vet's yesterday with a different product and so far is her normal self. Fingers crossed for no change.

So sorry to hear of others whose pets reacted very badly, especially Sunshineandrainbow and PostChristmasSwapShop