Dilated pupils after Rabies Vaccine in cats

60 reports to the FDA describe dilated pupils in cats given Rabies Vaccine. That is 2.3% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.4% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

60Reports

67%Marked serious

30%Recovered

25%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

32 55%

1–2 days

14 24%

3–7 days

5 8.6%

1–4 weeks

5 8.6%

Over a month

2 3.4%

How the animals did

Recovered

17 28%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 1.7%

Still unwell when reported

15 25%

Died

7 12%

Euthanised

8 13%

Not known

12 20%

Problems reported at the same time

21 35%

15 25%

15 25%

14 23%

12 20%

11 18%

10 17%

10 17%

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 Rabies Vaccine cause dilated pupils in cats?: 60 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 the same 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).

All reported side effects of Rabies Vaccine in cats · Medicines most reported with dilated pupils