Did my cat's vaccinations make her muscles sore?

Question

My cat got several vaccinations on Wednesday -- feline leukemia, rabies, etc. The vet gave her all of her shots in her back legs. Now she's acting like her back legs hurt -- she won't jump in the air like she usually does, and she climbs a lot more gingery than she had been. Is this normal? (I know that when I get a shot in my arm, my arm is sore for a few days...is this just the same thing?)

Answer 1

Hopefully this isn't more of an answer than you bargained for...

Let's be honest; in a perfect world, we'd only visit the vet when our pets need vaccines, and otherwise they'd remain perfectly healthy. In fact, vaccines are often the primary reason people bring there pets into the vet's office each year. We forget that the physical exam is actually the most important part of the ritual; but only too often, we're neglectful of our OWN medical needs (when's the last time you went to the doctor just to check in?) and therefor don't practice routine physical exams for our pets.

In order to make things easier for us as owners, vaccine companies started packing three or four different vaccines in one injection so that 1) our cats and dogs wouldn't be poked over and over and 2) we wouldn't have to cough up the cash for four different shots. Sounds great in theory, but there's a catch; mixing all these vaccines into one cocktail has a high instance of reactions.

A vaccine reaction can be anything from a little muscle soreness and lethargy to full blown swelling and anaphylactic shock. These reactions can start within 20 minutes of an injection being administerd and last for days. Often times, mild reactions (like the muscle soreness you're describing) will subside over the course of a day or two as the inflammed tissue calms down and the agents in the vaccine are absorbed. Sometimes applying a warm washcloth (think heating pad on sore muscles) helps to eliviate discomfort, but if your cats are anything like mine, they'll fuss while you're trying.

I hope this wasn't more than you bargained for - sometimes it's nice to know what's going on AND why it's happening.

Hope your kitty feels better soon!

Answer 2

I just my cat home from the vet yesterday, she got all of her vaccines at once and an exam. Today her back leg is really sore and she hisses when I try and pick her up. I never had a cat before and she was a stray so between my ignorance and her shyness it took a while for the relationship we have to get where it is. I know she is just a cat and she has to go to the vet but I can't help feeling like I did something to her.
Anyone else have this? Of course this happens on a Friday when the vet is closed for the weekend. Any help or ideas would be great. Kind of freaking out I love this cat

Answer 3

It is very common for cats to have sore muscles after shots. As humans, we respond the same way. It will go away after a few days, if it doesn't, contact your vet. Also, watch for lumps around the injection site. Sometimes giving too many shots in one area can cause a lump and muscle pain that will last for monthsinstead of days. This is basically an allergic reaction. Vets can address this by splitting the shots up, giving half in the rump and the other half in the scruff of the neck. FIP and Leukemia shots are the most prone to react with other drugs to cause this problem, so splitting them up may help avoid this problem in the future.

Answer 4

I am so sorry about you poor kitty. I am sure that she has just gone through a lot and her muscles are just sore. Give ger a few days and if it is not getting any better then take her back to the vet. *You can also call the vets office. I am sure that they would be happy to answer any questions that you have and that might put your mind at ease a little bit. - Hope everything gets better. You should go and buy her some catnip. Most cats love catnip and that might make her feel better. Not all cats respond but most do, if yours doesnt then you are only out a few bucks...Good Luck...

Answer 5

Cat Sore

Answer 6

Do NOT get yourself or your cat vaccinated.

A vaccinated person or cat is MORE likely to get a disease than a non-vaccinated person or cat. The whole theory of vaccination is flawed. It causes a weakening of the immune system thus making those who are innoculated more susceptible to disease.
There are so many awful side effects to vaccination that it should be considered extremely dangerous.
Just sit back and think for a while.
Is there any sense in injecting a disease directly into your body.
We have been subjected to an awful mind control program to enable the drug manufacturers to make a fortune.

The Vaccination Hoax
http://www.whale.to/b/hoax1.html

If you want to study the history of vaccination, see
http://dgwa1.fortunecity.com/body/vaccination.html

Answer 7

Since the vet more than likely gave the shots in muscle tissue then your cat may be a wee bit tender...however it should pass soon...better to be a little sore now than to get some nasty diseases! You are a good cat parent!

Answer 8

Feel of the leg in the area where she received her injections...is it un-naturally warm, swollen, infected looking? If so, take her back to the vet. If not, then she is probably just tender as you would be with your shots. Encourage her to play with you (gently) and get her to move the muscle will help work some of the pain and stiffness out.

Give her lots of hugs!!!

Answer 9

. Yes, the cat can get sore in their muscles from shots. This is natural and to be expected. Just treat it with kid gloves and shortly the cat will be back to it's own self.

Answer 10

Yes she is sore. Is the same when you get shots. Just give her lots of love and attention, it would be fine in a couple of days.