Lame after rabies/distemper yesterday

[MM3]

I feel so so so bad! I took the vets word that rabies shot, was required for California.I SHOULD OF CHECKED MYSELF!! It's been 24 hours after her rabies injection and she is still not eating much, just wanting to sleep. And is clearly mad at me. I feel like a bad mommy!

 

[Rafiki]

I live in Los Angeles county. Rabies is not required for the city of Los Angeles but required if you live outside the city but still in the county. For better or worse, they went door to door back in April looking for $$$ (dog license) and I had a sign on my door instructing the fire department that I had 2 cats and to bring them to my vet (phone # included) in case of an emergency. I was fined and had 48 hours to get them vaccinated and provide proof of that and neutering. My vet was not usually an advocate of rabies vaccinations for cats unless they were outdoor cats that could potentially come into contact with a rabid animal such as a raccoon. I believe that she said that the only cases of rabid cats in the last 20 years arrived rabid from other countries. She has modified her views lately because of a high incident rate of rabies in bats. The issue here is that bats can get inside your house so even an indoor cat is at risk. My cats had no reaction so all is good. She also does titers every year and wont re-vaccinate unless it is warranted.

Question: for those of you who had rabies vaccinations done - what location did they use? Was it the right rear leg (like Rafiki did)? Are any of your vets still doing scruff of neck (linked to cancer in older vaccinations)?

 

[admin]

@MM3 - which type of vaccine - modified live or killed? My Taj had the same reaction to a rabies vaccine and I no longer vaccinate him, but had to sign a release...your baby will probably be ok in a day or so...but you need to call your vet and let him/her know what is going on...

 

[MM3]

Just emailed the vet for the second time to let them he had eaten a tablespoon of food. The vets office wanted me to take her back in to be rechecked. I said no the stress would make her worse. She had 4 syringes of water and a bit if food. So I update them on my kitty's current condition and to ask for clarification on the vaccine. The doctor gave it in the right thigh. And very roughly I might add. Mama was not happy with the way it was given. To think of it gives me the chills.

 

[MM3]

Just emailed the vet for the second time to let them he had eaten a tablespoon of food. The vets office wanted me to take her back in to be rechecked. I said no the stress would make her worse. She had 4 syringes of water and a bit if food. So I update them on my kitty's current condition and to ask for clarification on the vaccine. The doctor gave it in the right thigh. And very roughly I might add. Mama was not happy with the way it was given. To think of it gives me the chills.

The vaccine is modified live

 

[Patti]

Question: for those of you who had rabies vaccinations done - what location did they use? Was it the right rear leg (like Rafiki did)? Are any of your vets still doing scruff of neck (linked to cancer in older vaccinations)?

I believe rabies needs to be given in a muscle so the rear leg is most often used, while the FVRCP can be given subcutaneously so at the scruff of the neck, or the skin fold of the leg (which is where most vets seem to be giving it these days).

 

[Lori Greer]

Just emailed the vet for the second time to let them he had eaten a tablespoon of food. The vets office wanted me to take her back in to be rechecked. I said no the stress would make her worse. She had 4 syringes of water and a bit if food. So I update them on my kitty's current condition and to ask for clarification on the vaccine. The doctor gave it in the right thigh. And very roughly I might add. Mama was not happy with the way it was given. To think of it gives me the chills.

Our vet injects in the rear leg as well. One one hand I appreciate why they do that (in case a sarcoma develops) but on the other hand, if they aren't careful it can be painful and very sore afterward. We did have a kitten many years ago that limped for 3 days after getting his shot. I felt so bad for him. Hope she is feeling better today!

 

[MM3]

Our vet injects in the rear leg as well. One one hand I appreciate why they do that (in case a sarcoma develops) but on the other hand, if they aren't careful it can be painful and very sore afterward. We did have a kitten many years ago that limped for 3 days after getting his shot. I felt so bad for him. Hope she is feeling better today!

Thank you for your concern, yes she is feeling better today. That will be the last rabies injection she will get. She is eating and playing a little, much better than yesterday.
When the doc was giving the injection it seems like the needle was bigger than it needed to be, and the doc seemed like she forced into kitty's skin. Not smooth like injections usually are. And of course it could be coming from a VERY OVERPROTECTIVE MOTHER.......YA THINK? No that's really what I saw.

 

[Patti]

Some kittens' skin can be really tough - even amonst kittens in the same litter I have sometimes found that one has much tougher skin than the others. I always cringe when I give them their vaccines because I know it has to hurt more than it does in the average kitten.

 

[MM3]

Some kittens' skin can be really tough - even amonst kittens in the same litter I have sometimes found that one has much tougher skin than the others. I always cringe when I give them their vaccines because I know it has to hurt more than it does in the average kitten.

Thanks for sharing that info.... I will retract some of my .......................about that vet.