Lethargy after Feline Leukemia Vaccine in cats

322 reports to the FDA describe lethargy in cats given Feline Leukemia Vaccine. That is 40% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 14% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

322Reports
54%Marked serious
39%Recovered
13%Died or euthanised
1 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
124 40%
1–2 days
85 27%
3–7 days
32 10%
1–4 weeks
48 15%
Over a month
23 7.4%

How the animals did

Recovered
121 38%
Recovered with lasting effects
3 0.9%
Still unwell when reported
100 31%
Died
20 6.2%
Euthanised
23 7.1%
Not known
55 17%

Problems reported at the same time

102 32%
86 27%
42 13%
30 9.3%
30 9.3%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
90
1–3 years
78
4–7 years
88
8–11 years
41
12+ years
20

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 lethargy in cats?
322 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 1 day 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).

Lethargy with similar medicines

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