Adverse reaction to vaccine?

[Andie]

Hi
Yesterday, we took our 3 year old cat to the vet to have a booster vaccination. Ten minutes later he was shaking his head and his eyes were rolling. His body became totally rigid, and in his panic to try and get away he fell of the vet's table and landed like a stone on the floor. Needless to say we were terrified. The vet thought he had eaten something poisonous and gave him something to expel the toxins from his body. They also gave him a sedative to calm him down. He was kept in overnight and was a lot better this morning but he was bumping into things and it was obvious he couldn't see anything. By the afternoon his sight had returned and he is now home with us. He is sleeping a lot (which is normal and probably the best thing for him) but he wakes up crying. He seems to be hungry but is having difficulty eating (he picks the food up tries to chew and then spits it out again). His sense of balance is also not right. Has anyone ever seen anything like this and if so was there any permanent damage? We are still very worried about him.

Thanks Andie

[Karin]

Originally Posted by Andie

Hi
Yesterday, we took our 3 year old cat to the vet to have a booster vaccination. Ten minutes later he was shaking his head and his eyes were rolling. His body became totally rigid, and in his panic to try and get away he fell of the vet's table and landed like a stone on the floor. Needless to say we were terrified. The vet thought he had eaten something poisonous and gave him something to expel the toxins from his body. They also gave him a sedative to calm him down. He was kept in overnight and was a lot better this morning but he was bumping into things and it was obvious he couldn't see anything. By the afternoon his sight had returned and he is now home with us. He is sleeping a lot (which is normal and probably the best thing for him) but he wakes up crying. He seems to be hungry but is having difficulty eating (he picks the food up tries to chew and then spits it out again). His sense of balance is also not right. Has anyone ever seen anything like this and if so was there any permanent damage? We are still very worried about him.

Thanks Andie

Gee Andie, I cannot see how the vax booster could do this. The timing of events and what he went through should be followed up with bloodwork to see if there is a bg problem or any other endocrine problem. Once before on an IM injection a vet I worked for hit a nerve which caused temporary paralysis. (This cat freaked & fell right away) . The vet gave dexamethasone right away.

Your problem sounds more like a mini-stroke,I could be wrong. I would get advised from another vet asap.And ..did the vet examine your cat prior to the vax? Just wondering here.

If the blood glucose was elavated I can see this happening. He is really too young for this sort of problem but anything can happen at any time.

[Lucky Rescue]

Anaphylaxis is a rare, life-threatening, immediate allergic reaction to something ingested or injected. If untreated, it results in shock, respiratory and cardiac failure, and death. An anaphylactic reaction can occur as a result of vaccination. The reaction usually occurs within minutes to hours (less than 24) of the vaccination. Dr. Ronald Schultz of the University of Wisconsin College of Veterinary Medicine estimates that about one case of anaphylaxis occurs for every 15,000 doses of vaccine administered.

The most common symptoms of anaphylaxis are the sudden onset of diarrhea, vomiting, swelling of the face, shock, seizures, coma and death. The animals' gums will be very pale, and the limbs will feel cold. The heart rate is generally very fast but the pulse is weak.

Anaphylaxis is an extreme emergency. If you think your cat is having an anaphylactic reaction, seek emergency veterinary assistance immediately. Epinephrine should be given as soon as possible - we're talking within a few minutes. IV fluids, oxygen and other medications are given as needed.

Anaphylactic reactions are more commonly associated with the use of killed vaccines such as rabies and feline leukemia virus. Killed vaccines have more virus or bacterial particles per dose and have added chemicals (adjuvants) to improve the pet's immune response. These characteristics also increase the risk of an allergic reaction to the vaccine.

If your cat has ever had a reaction to a vaccine, subsequent vaccinations should be given by your veterinarian. In some cases, certain vaccines may be excluded from your cat's vaccination regimen, a different type of vaccine will be used, or certain drugs, including antihistamines may be given prior to vaccination. The veterinarian may place a catheter in the cat's vein so if a reaction does occur, medications and fluids can be given immediately. Depending on the situation, your cat may need to remain in the veterinarian's office for a period of 30 minutes to several hours. Once home, the cat should be kept under observation for several additional hours. Even with these precautions, life-threatening reactions could still occur.

.

Veterinary Learning Systems. Recombinant vaccine technology. Supplement to The Compendium on Continuing Education for the Practicing Veterinarian. 1997;19(2).

Veterinary Learning Systems. Vaccine technology in the 21st century. Supplement to The Compendium on Continuing Education for the Practicing Veterinarian. 1998;20(8c).

[Karin]

Another big word meaning "something has gone real wrong". Or another explaintion of an allergy reaction....which I doubt.

Something is a big amiss in the question. I am questioning alot lately.....forgive me. (I fired our vet today, for good reasons)

There is no fine line when it concerns my kid. Only 100%.