Why is my cat lethargic after getting his shot?

by Edith
(Canada)

My cat is just over a year old and got his updated rabies and FelV shot yesterday. (The FelV shot also included a tracheitis and one other disease which escapes me now)

He is eating and going to the washroom okay, be he's just..slow today. He played a little and is mainly resting.

He was VERY sick after his 1st checkup and shots with the vet about a year ago. (Turns out the vet gave him a canine not feline shot...we have since switched vets) But he got so sick last time, fever, vomiting, dehydration etc, that he had to be hospitalized for 3 days.

So I guess I am asking if it is normal for a cat to be lethargic and tired after routine shots? He is not shivering or hiding like he did when he was sick. But he is usually quite active,and I am a little worried.

Answer from Kate
My cat was the same. every year after she got her booster shots she was very lethargic for a couple of days afterwards, it was almost like she had the flu.

It is not unusual when you consider that vaccination is a small dose of an actual illness so it is not surprising that for some cats they react differently to the shot as their body tries to combat the possible illness.

It should only last for a few days if not contact your vet.

Also next time you have to get her shots mention to the vet about the reaction she has to them, they may be able to as mine did change the type of vaccination to something which is less likely to cause any upset.

best wishes Kate

http://www.our-happy-cat.com/cat-vaccinations.html