My 14 month old cat, Comet, is acting really strange ever since her vaccines yesterday.

Hi.

Comet was okay at first yesterday morning. Her vaccines were at 8am. She had the Rabies 3 year, Feline Leukemia and some other vaccine. Anyway, like I said she was fine in the morning, but by the afternoon she was acting different.

She was laying down in the corner of the kitchen, all by herself. It was weird.  When I picked her up last night she screamed. Well, I mean she meowed so loud and high pitched it reminded me of a human scream. I took it as seriously as someone screaming. I put her down immediately and she went off by herself again.

Today, she was back in the corner of the kitchen again, and when my 11 year old gently picked her up Comet screamed again. My daughter put her down immediately. Comet is her cat so she's pretty bewildered over Comet acting this way.

I've since put Comet in my bedroom with food and litter where she can convalesce for the rest of the day.

I know she got the vaccines in the leg/thigh area. She's not vomiting or anything. Basically, she doesn't want to be touched, at all.

Comet is the most social, friendly kitty on the planet. It's really shocking to see her act like this. None of my cats, or really any of my cats that I've ever owned ever has acted like this following a vaccine. I'm spooked. 

My kitten just had two vaccines the other day. My receipt from the vet says that if your pet acts lethargic or unusual for over 24 hours after the shots, call the vet back and ask about it.

I would recommend you call, especially if you're worried that she's hurting or if anything unusual happened during the shots. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

She's not lethargic or sickly looking at all.

She's being anti social and not wanting to be picked up. I'll call the vet in the morning if this keeps up. I was just hoping someone else's cat acted like this following their vaccinations.

Thank you for your response to me.

It's not uncommon for cats to act differently after vaccinations, but usually means they sleep a lot more and act a little ill. She may have gotten a sore muscle from the shots and it is painful. If at all possible gently feel around the injection sites and see if there is any swelling or lumps, that would also pinpoint where the pain is. Call your vet if there is. She also may be totally stressed out from the vet visit and is screaming for you to leave her alone. That too will pass with time when she is feeling secure again. Since it has only been a day, I wouldn't be too alarmed yet, but if it continues into day three, definitely call your vet. If she is eating, drinking and using the litter box, try to just be observant for a few days. It is also not uncommon for them to eat less. If she is having a reaction that is not normal, they will most ;likely give her Benadryl before the next series, it helps a lot. Make sure you bring it up and ask if it is needed. Please keep us posted!

Thank you for your reply. I really appreciated it.

I had my daughter open up our bedroom door so that Comet could walk out and come downstairs and we could see how she's doing. She walked downstairs right away, and ate a little bit at one of our cat food stations located  in our living room.

When she was done eating, while I was sitting on the floor, I called her name. She walked over and let me pet her for over a minute, and then she walked into the kitchen where my other 2 cats were laying at the patio door screen.

I thought, oh no, here we go again, she's going to go to the corner of the room, but she didn't. She laid in the center of the kitchen, staying far back from the other 2 cats. Misha, my 4 month old happily walked over to her but Comet hissed and gave a small growl and Misha walked away immediately, showing Comet her respect.

As I'm typing this Comet has walked back in the living room, and is smelling all the art supplies that are on the floor scattered. She's apparently getting her curiosity back. I think we're headed in the right direction, finally.

Good! Everything sounds pretty normal to me, just keep an eye on her, but I would bet it is just stress and she will be fine!

Thank you for commenting. Good morning!

Comet is now back to normal. This morning I woke up and walked in the kitchen sleepily, and found Comet on her royal perch on top of the refrigerator. I knew then everything was going to be alright.

Also, just a moment ago Misha walked by her but didn't engage, however Comet reached out a paw playfully to her. All 3 of my cats are now laying side by side at the patio door.

Life is good.

.

I've seen many animals have discomfort from vaccines--this includes horses. Some can't handle the multi doses and we've ended up breaking up the vaccines into different weeks. Perhaps your kitty just was achy---like when we get a booster shot---you can be sore for quite a while. Sounds like she's doing MUCH better!! So happy for you

Thanks! She's back to normal now. She played with Misha this morning, running all through the house and up and down the stairs.

Comet still doesn't want to be picked up though. I picked her up this morning VERY carefully, and she only let out a tiny peep of a meow, not the scream she did the other day, so her healing is almost complete. Oh and Monday, and all day yesterday she walked REALLY slow, like she was super sore.

I just never had a cat react like that  following a vaccine, but when I thought about it,  I remembered that when I get my yearly flu shot, my skinny arm is always sore for 2 days, whereas my husband and kids are perfectly fine...