Swelling after Feline Leukemia Vaccine in cats

The FDA has received 76 reports of swelling in cats after Feline Leukemia Vaccine. That is 9.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.9% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

76Reports

58%Marked serious

29%Recovered

18%Died or euthanised

1 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

30 45%

1–2 days

15 22%

3–7 days

9 13%

1–4 weeks

10 15%

Over a month

3 4.5%

How the animals did

Recovered

20 26%

Recovered with lasting effects

2 2.6%

Still unwell when reported

24 32%

Died

9 12%

Euthanised

5 6.6%

Not known

16 21%

Problems reported at the same time

27 36%

24 32%

22 29%

19 25%

Injection site reaction

18 24%

Death

14 18%

Vomiting

13 17%

Breathing problems

7 9.2%

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 swelling in cats?: 76 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).

Swelling with similar medicines

Swelling after Rabies Vaccine 167 reports · 6.5% of its reports
Swelling after Feline Core Vaccine 100 reports · 6.4% of its reports

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