Itching after Feline Leukemia Vaccine in cats

The FDA has received 51 reports of itching in cats after Feline Leukemia Vaccine. That is 6.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 8.9% across reports for all cat medicines.

51Reports

69%Marked serious

35%Recovered

0.0%Died or euthanised

2 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

18 35%

1–2 days

12 24%

3–7 days

10 20%

1–4 weeks

8 16%

Over a month

3 5.9%

How the animals did

Recovered

18 35%

Still unwell when reported

15 29%

Not known

18 35%

Problems reported at the same time

Hair loss

20 39%

Application site reaction

13 25%

10 20%

8 16%

7 14%

7 14%

6 12%

6 12%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Type: vaccine.

Mild, short-lived lethargy, soreness or a small lump at the injection site are the most commonly reported vaccine reactions.

Questions owners ask

Can Feline Leukemia Vaccine cause itching in cats?: 51 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?: In half of the reports with dates, it started within 2 days of the first dose.
What should I do?: Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Itching with similar medicines

Itching after Rabies Vaccine 246 reports · 9.5% of its reports
Itching after Feline Core Vaccine 110 reports · 7.1% of its reports
Itching after Distemper-parvo Vaccine 25 reports · 9.0% of its reports

All reported side effects of Feline Leukemia Vaccine in cats · Medicines most reported with itching