Adverse effects of vaccination
Modern vaccines are very safe in the vast majority of patients, nevertheless, as with all medical products and drugs, a small risk remains in their administration. This small risk is considered preferable to the larger risk imposed by the disease being protected against in most cases; in other words a ‘risk-benefit analysis’ is usually seen as coming out in favour of the vaccine, since some of the diseases being protected against can be fatal. A recent comprehensive review’ of vaccination in cats and dogs continued to support the administration of vaccines and their annual booster in most cases.
Adverse reactions can be variable in nature, from the temporary slight increase in temperature and sleepiness, sometimes associated with lameness, often noticed in kittens at their very first vaccine, to rarer symptoms such as allergy/hypersensitivity type reactions and even anaphylaxis (an unusual severe allergic reaction which is treated as an emergency). (more…)
