Weight loss after Rabies Vaccine in cats

The FDA has received 208 reports of weight loss in cats after Rabies Vaccine. That is 8.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.6% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

208Reports

71%Marked serious

20%Recovered

19%Died or euthanised

3 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

49 26%

1–2 days

42 23%

3–7 days

39 21%

1–4 weeks

39 21%

Over a month

16 8.6%

How the animals did

Recovered

40 19%

Recovered with lasting effects

2 1.0%

Still unwell when reported

83 40%

Died

15 7.2%

Euthanised

24 12%

Not known

44 21%

Problems reported at the same time

141 68%

118 57%

82 39%

57 27%

45 22%

43 21%

42 20%

38 18%

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 weight loss in cats?: 208 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 3 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).

Weight loss with similar medicines

Weight loss after Feline Core Vaccine 160 reports · 10% of its reports
Weight loss after Feline Leukemia Vaccine 61 reports · 7.6% of its reports

All reported side effects of Rabies Vaccine in cats · Medicines most reported with weight loss