i think my new kitten is having a vaccine reaction?? trying not to freak out as it seems mild....?

i searched the history for some thoughts on vaccine reaction and came to the post recommending this article:

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1+1385&aid=961

my little dude (approximately 13 weeks) was vaccinated by the shelter on saturday, and also had his alteration surgery.  he was great yesterday, in wonderful spirits.  seemed fine this morning when i left for work.  when i came home, approximately 6:30, he was a little slow coming to the door and not super excited to eat.  he snuggled down in my lap for a nap and purred the moment i rested a hand on him.  since he stopped when i took my hand away, i did not interpret this as a distress sound.  eventually he jumped off of me and curled up on my bed.

about an hour ago i got him to eat his favorite turkey baby food, but he did not want to play when i dangled a ribbon for him.  he also seemed unsure about jumping onto my couch and retreated under the bed.  i've gotten him out, and we had another snuggle.  his feet feel warm and he still seems lethargic.

he has NOT vomited or shown any difficulty breathing.  he does not appear to be swollen in any way or in pain - he lets me touch his legs, face, tummy, tail.  he just seems rather out of it.  i reached out to my contact at the shelter (i fostered him for 5 weeks and then became a #fosterfail statistic) and she advised to keep an eye on him and try to get him up to the shelter sometime tomorrow for a quick check and maybe some observation.  she did not seem familiar with the idea of a vaccine reaction - i should note that she is not a vet, just a dedicated shelter employee who works with the foster program and helps to coordinate in times of foster emergency.

i don't want to freak out, but about two years ago i had an extremely traumatic experience with a beloved 15 year old pet that ended...poorly.

it mightnt have anything to do with his vaccinations. You mention that he was desexed at the same time so he could have an infection from the surgery.

As long as he IS eating, drinking, peeing and pooping, his reaction shouldn't be life threatening, but I would definitely get him back in to be seen to see if there is something going on.  As noted above, it's possible there's an issue with his neutering vs the vaccine, but whatever it is, if it lasts more than a day or two post vaccine, it should be dealt with.

My cats always were lethargic for about 24 hours post vaccines, then got right back to normal. 

i took the little fluff to my vet and she confirmed fever of unknown origin and noted no infection at his surgical site.  she gave him fluids and bayatril and did a CBC and he's perked up almost immediately.  he ate some of his dinner and just jumped onto my bed for the first time in 24 hours.  i think we're going to be okay.

   

Still doing ok?  Hopefully he's completely back to normal now and staying that way

he had a little backslide after the initial fluids ran through him, but his temperature is back to normal, his white cell count has doubled and he's even gained a little weight from eating again!  i just brought him home from his follow-up vet appointment and she was thrilled with his progress.