Why is my new stray cat so sleepy after a vet visit and shot?

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It sounds that your cat had a thorough investigation at your vets. Some cats are lethargic and less playful when they have fever (I guess that was checked by your vet) or painful condition, for example muscle pain, joint pain, spinal pain and more. If his activity is not back to normal in 2-3 days I would suggest trying a short course of anti-inflammatory medications.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I'm sorry to hear Jax hasn't been feeling well. Does he go outside? If he does, even if you can't find one right now I would be concerned that he suffered a bite of some kind, as cats can develop abscesses fairly easily when they suffer a trauma. I would be concerned by his behavior, as it does sound like there may be an underlying issue going on, such as an infection, GI upset, or an underlying medical issue (such as kidney disease or diabetes). If he doesn't perk up, start eating and getting some energy back, I would recommend he be evaluated by his regular veterinarian to determine the underlying cause for his change in behavior, have any necessary testing done (xrays, bloodwork) and start any treatment he may need to resolve it. Good luck!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If he had a fight with another cat he could have suffered an injury that does not appear apparent at this time. However, it would be best to have him evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to examine him to see if he appears to be painful for example which could be a reason to become lethargic and less interactive. He could also be somewhat traumatized by that encounter which he could potentially eventually get over. However, I still think that he should be evaluated. Good luck and have a good night! Hopefully this is nothing to be concerned about.

Hello, that is a lot of sleeping! Sleeping all day is pretty normal for an older adult cat, but I would not consider it normal for a young cat like Leo - a 10 month old kitten should be active and playful. Since Leo is new to you and you're just getting to know each other, it's possible he's just a lazier kitty - but I would recommend having him checked out by a vet to make sure there isn't a health issue that needs to be addressed. If he were my patient, I would recommend running bloodwork, including a FELV/FIV test, to screen for any illnesses. If bloodwork was normal and he is eating & drinking well, then I'd reluctantly conclude he may just be a lazy cat....but, again, it's worth having him seen, if you aren't seeing the normal activity and playfulness that kittens usually have! Hope that helps!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sometimes it can take some time for cats to recover from anesthesia and administration of these medications together so that could be a reason why it has been taking him longer than expected to recover. If he is eating and otherwise doing well, it may be ok to monitor him for a bit longer. However, if he worsens or by tomorrow he has not improved, he should be evaluated by his veterinarian for reevaluation. Good luck and have a great day!

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. If the vaccinations were given recently, the decrease in activity is sometimes seen secondary to the vaccinations. If this continues or worsens that I would recommend having a veterinarian take a look at Kiara so that The most appropriate Diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any further questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

It is very possible it is a viral illness, in which case supportive care (giving fluids, treating secondary infections or fevers, continuing to get her to eat and drink) are needed as the virus runs its course. Making sure Katniss is away from other pets is also good to prevent the spread of the illness. If she goes downhill again, doesn't want to eat or drink, or is still very weak or ill, she may need to be seen by your vet again or kept in the hospital on fluids and other treatment for a few days to help her recover.