Vaccination side effects or stress

[waxlyrical]

We have just taken in a 6 month semi feral kitten that was desparate for a home. All going ok and confidence growing daily until yesterday when he had his first jabs at the vets. Catching him was a bit traumatic as he doesn't like being handled and the whole thing was very stressful for him. Ever since he has been hiding under a bed upstairs. I'm not sure if this is because he is feeling poorly from the side effects or distressed about being caught. Anyone else had similar? How long do the side effects last? He has eaten a few pieces of chicken in hiding and wee'd on the bathroom floor rather than in his tray which he was happily using before downstairs.

He could be feeling a little odd - they sometimes do after their shots. Sleepy or 'not quite 100%', say. That, combined with his travel to the vets, new experiences, and not being quite confident with you yet could all contribute.

I'd give him a little longer - see how he does tonight for example. At least he's eaten so make sure he's got water to hand as well. (And if he's hiding upstairs, could you move his tray closer to him as a temporary measure? He may be a bit tentative about coming down to relieve himself in his current mood.)

Lots of treats & tlc, vaccinations make me feel pretty vile.

Last time ours had a bad reaction it took 3-4 days for him to recover. It's not nice to see & you feel like a bad owner and your dh says this proves the cat doesn't need jabs so you take him in secret each year & don't mention it unless asked.

Thanks will keep a close eye but try not to worry as much as I have been. Have put water near for him and poss extra tray in bathroom. I keep going to talk to him without being too in his face. Poor mite and yes I feel like a terrible owner.

You did the right thing. He will get over it.

I try to do a 'business as usual' routine, cats being creatures who love a structure in my experience. It might sound cruel but if they're having a fit of the flibbertigibbets I just get on with what I'm doing and leave them to it. They soon realize that life goes on and that home is 'samey' and safe.

If you're feeling real guilty, take a book upstairs and read in the bedroom where he's hiding. (Or take a telly/device up there and watch a movie on lowish volume.) If you do that and ignore him, he'll likely come out soon enough. (Your unconcern and normality will signal to him as safety etc.)

How did he do overnight?

Mine had his booster recently and he definitely wasn't well after it. He slept more than usual, was much, much grumpier than usual and barely ate, which is unheard of! I tried to move him while he was sleeping (we often do this because he tends to fall asleep on the wrong bed in the evening) and he made an awful growling noise as if he was in pain. He was clearly unwell for 24 hours or so but then seemed fine.

Thanks all he is much better today. Emerged from hiding late last night downed a bowl of food, used his tray and had a couple of angry swipes at a toy mouse. It's as if nothing happened at all! I just dont dare mention the booster in 3 weeks to him.

That's good.

I wouldn't be too too worried about going for the booster. Get him in the box fast and businesslike and do the deed - and then he's home and safe. He should learn the routine and it might even have the effect of making him more settled at home in a funny way. I know that Seniorboy - who used to be a vetophobe when he was with my Mom, now knows that going in the box at the vets means that he's on his way back and pretty well dives into it when it's put on the consulting table and the door is opened.