Wobbliness (ataxia) after Rabies Vaccine in cats

206 reports to the FDA describe wobbliness (ataxia) in cats given Rabies Vaccine. That is 8.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.7% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

206Reports

66%Marked serious

27%Recovered

14%Died or euthanised

1 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

70 37%

1–2 days

56 30%

3–7 days

29 15%

1–4 weeks

23 12%

Over a month

10 5.3%

How the animals did

Recovered

54 26%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 0.5%

Still unwell when reported

61 30%

Died

13 6.3%

Euthanised

15 7.3%

Not known

62 30%

Problems reported at the same time

75 36%

74 36%

36 17%

30 15%

27 13%

25 12%

23 11%

22 11%

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 wobbliness (ataxia) in cats?: 206 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).

Wobbliness (ataxia) with similar medicines

Wobbliness (ataxia) after Feline Core Vaccine 101 reports · 6.5% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Feline Leukemia Vaccine 68 reports · 8.5% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Distemper-parvo Vaccine 37 reports · 13% of its reports

All reported side effects of Rabies Vaccine in cats · Medicines most reported with wobbliness (ataxia)