Kitten sore after getting shots?

This afternoon I brought my new kitten, Iroh, back to the vet for two shots -- his rabies I believe and one other one. They gave them to him one on either side of his flank/bum area. He was fine and energetic when I brought him home but this evening he's started crying when ever I pick him up and instead of running around is moving very little and just sleeping.

I phoned a friend of mine who works at the vet clinic as a receptionist and she says he's probably just sore from the shots. Is this normal for kittens?

It depends on the kittens age. Younger ones get their shots spaced out more, but if you take a older kitten in to start them they'll get a couple the same day.

I've never had kittens have issues, for the above mentioned reason, but I have had cats get very sore. Last December I had my Sherman in and they gave him all of his shots, due to the location I'm pretty sure it was from the rabies vac - but he got so sore that he refused to move his leg at all. He wouldn't eat or drink, and had a fever. So you may need to get your kitten checked out tomorrow morning if you can (many vets are open half days on Saturdays) and if the kitten hasn't shown signs of improving.

Unfortunately reactions to vaccinations isn't that uncommon in cats.

When my kitten got his shots he was a little tired that day and evening but he wasnt sore I dont think. He played like normal but was just a little sleepy.

It would make sense that they would be sore at the injection site and maybe the muscle around it. When babies get shots they are usually fussy and there is some soreness and redness at the injection site and surrounding muscles so I am thinking it may be the same for a cat.

If he is eating and eliminating normally I would just keep a close eye on him for the next day or so and if it doesnt improve I would call the vet back OR call another vet to get a different opinion. He may be having a reaction to the vaccine.

Hope hes back to normal soon! Its scary when they arent acting right! Good Luck!

^The problem is that it's the weekend. For most people that means possibly getting an early appointment on Saturdays if needed, or emergency visits (pricey!). This sort of stuff always happens on the weekends.

My main concern, which I think the OP needs to watch for, is fever.

Happy to say that Iroh seems back to normal today! He slept pretty much all of yesterday evening, but when we woke up this morning he was running around and playing again. *Relief* It must have just been some sore spots where he got his needles and that's all.

Thanks to everyone though!

This did happen to Sterling last year, and it really scared us, but we had the vet check him and the next day he felt fine.