How common are Fevaxyn Pentofel reactions?

Re: How common are Fevaxyn Pentofel reactions?

Martin Atkinson — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 18:58:29 GMT

I've used Pentofel for years and as with most vaccines I will warn the owner there will be a mild reaction and the cat will be 'off-colour' for 12-24 hrs. Very few require any intervention and it is only kittens that have a problem, IME adults get no reaction. I suspect it is something to do with the fact it is an entirely inactivated vaccine and the aduvant causes the reaction thus it is dose/size related. Despite this I'm happier using Pentofel, because it is inactivated, as it eliminates the risk of vaccine strain infection from spilled vaccine on the coat or aerosol when it is squirted in the air TV hospital style to eliminate the air bubbles from the syringe!! Plus we have a big problem with chlamydophila locally and I think it is an important component.

Re: How common are Fevaxyn Pentofel reactions?

Rob Loxley — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 22:58:41 GMT

Maybe kittens feeling a little grotty after Pentofel but I've not experienced worse. We have however had lots of worse reactions to Quantum 1st vaccs - severe pyrexia, acute onset lameness, lethargy.

Re: How common are Fevaxyn Pentofel reactions?

scarlet — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 17:11:16 GMT

having locumed all over the country for the last 6 yrs , i have used just about every vaccine going and i do feel that pentofel is more likely to give a reaction - mainly lethargy - if the clients bring them in they invariably have a fever and often a lameness. usually a jab of metacam sorts them quickly. regardless of vaccine i always do the spiel about possible reactions.....

Re: How common are Fevaxyn Pentofel reactions?

fluffygirl — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 16:12:18 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]

Any side effects that make a client dubious about boosting their pets should be taken very seriously especially with the vocal anti-vaccination lobby out there. I warn owners that there may be side effects but almost invariably the owners do not see side effects with the brand we use.

Pfizer are probably not overly bothered because it is not their vaccine but one they 'inherited' in the so-called merger with Fort Dodge.

[/quote]

I agree that you don't need these side effects when there is so much anti-vacc blurb out there, no matter how innocuous the vaccine manufacturers perceive them to be. In my experience cat clients are especially uptight about these things. I always warn/explain to owners that vaccines challenge the immune system and can make pets feel a bit off colour etc etc. and rarely have any come-back - Pentofel just stood out for me as being just a bit more severe (if thats the right word?).

Sorry, it was actually Fort Dodge I spoke to at the time.

Re: How common are Fevaxyn Pentofel reactions?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 15:19:48 GMT

Pentofel, or iCHPChlam, all the time for me because we seem to need the Chlamydia component.

Yes, people often report at the second dose that the kitten was dull for a day after the first. They rarely or never call in anxiety. This is because I have warned them that it may happen.

It does not seem to happen after the second dose or after boosters.

Re: How common are Fevaxyn Pentofel reactions?

Bob Russell — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 15:08:49 GMT

Pfizer are probably not overly bothered because it is not their vaccine but one they 'inherited' in the so-called merger with Fort Dodge.

Re: How common are Fevaxyn Pentofel reactions?

fluffygirl — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 13:30:24 GMT

I worked in a practice that used the Pentofel vaccine and seemed to get more than the odd one or two sleepy pyrexic cats. They all got better in 24-48 hours but obviously the owners were worried enough to tell us. I spoke to Pfizer on the phone about it - they were not especially concerned. Trouble is the clients were understandably a bit dubious about the next annual booster!

Re: How common are Fevaxyn Pentofel reactions?

Bob Russell — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 09:54:33 GMT

When we set up Fort Dodge kindly supplied us with some Pentofel to try. Unfortunately we had a number of kittens feel unwell enough for the owners to phone up with concerns.

We did not continue with this vaccine and went back to Nobivac then later Leucofeligen. Once in a blue moon someone phones because the cat is miserable (usually guarding the neck) but only one or two a year. This happens with puppies as well.

I am not a fan of Pentofel but this is based on a limited trial here and comments from other vets and owners so may not be representative.

Re: How common are Fevaxyn Pentofel reactions?

nikki — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 22:53:09 GMT

we use pentofel and get quite a few saying they've been sleepy for 24hrs. few of them quite unwell and we tend to switch to tricat/felv for those ones.

Re: How common are Fevaxyn Pentofel reactions?

Fiona French — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 21:19:58 GMT

I have used Pentofel in a few practices I have worked in, and they do certainly seem to be quite unwell for 24hrs after administration. Infact, if I use it now I always tell the client they will seem a bit quiet and sleepy, but I don't bother with Tricat/Forcat as can't recall having had any complaints with them.

Re: How common are Fevaxyn Pentofel reactions?

Gillian Mostyn — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 20:27:10 GMT

We use pentofel and, to be honest, we have probably had more people ringing up the next day than we had previously with nobivac. I've not had any that weren't 100% by the day after that, but I had wondered myself whether I should be concerned.

Re: How common are Fevaxyn Pentofel reactions?

Michael Woodhouse — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 19:58:07 GMT

A transient mild fever and feeling quiet for 24 hours is quite a normal reaction after a vaccination. Anyone with children will know how commonly they need some Calpol the next day.

From the Pentofel data sheet:

Vaccinated cats may develop post-vaccinal reactions including transient fever, vomiting, anorexia and/or depression which usually disappear within 24 hours.

Tricat

A slight transient rise in body temperature (up to 40°C) may occur for 1-2 days.

In some cases sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge, and a slight dullness or reduced appetite may be observed for up to 2 days post vaccination.

Purevax

Under normal conditions of use, transient apathy and anorexia may occasionally occur, as well as hyperthermia (lasting usually for 1 or 2 days). A local reaction may occur (slight pain at palpation, itching or limited oedema) that disappears within 1 or 2 weeks at most.

We're stimulating the immune system, quiet and mild fever is a good thing - the vaccine is stimulating the immune system to do something!

Re: How common are Fevaxyn Pentofel reactions?

vs0u — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 19:29:57 GMT

Have never used that particular one, but I quite commonly hear owners say that either the cat or dog has been sleepy for 24 hours post vacc. Especially puppies/kittens. Most of them only mention it when asked at the next vaccination though - don't have many ring up worried.

Re: How common are Fevaxyn Pentofel reactions?

Andrew Mellor — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 18:59:25 GMT

Why not use forcat if you are already using tricat, we have basically swapped over as the price difference is next to nothing and you keep your vaccine manufacturers discount too, cannot remember any reactions to that , we do a lot of rspca vaccs with fevaxyn vacc not pentofel ( supplied by rspca) and have had a few sleepy , pyrexic and occasionally inj reaction lumpy cats but they are usually fine 24 hours later