VACCINATION READER FEEDBACK

[SIDE EFFECTS]  11/15/2008: Gail from Gastonia, NC writes: "I have a 5 month-old daschund/chihuahua/shih-tzu/terrier mix named Joshua. He went to the vet at 4 months old to receive his first round of shots- which had already been given by the breeder, but which the vet would not recognize! SO...puppy had double shots! Our county requires an annual rabies vaccine, and the puppy MUST have all of these other shots BEFORE they will give him the rabies! UGH!!

They gave him DHLPP shots, and a rabies vaccine at the same time. He weighed 9 pounds at that time.45 minutes later he became violently ill- throwing up all over the place. I immediately called the vet, who told me that it was from the car ride home! (This puppy rides in the car a lot, and had never thorwn up before.)

He limped for a couple of days, and was lethargic- just layed around doing nothing. (And this is a VERY active puppy.)

3 weeks later, the vet had me bring the puppy back in- at which time he gave him a DHLPP booster shot, and neutered him.

Joshua was so sick- he peed on himself for a whole day, and didn't move much at all for a few days.

I DO NOT want to get him this vaccine next year, but am not sure what to do, as it's the law here. Very frustrating!"

[SIDE EFFECTS]  11/15/2008: Black Chase from Columbia, MD writes: "Reaction to feline leukima shot and distemper combo given at hospital. My very healthy cat (temp 99)went to Banneker for an annual on his 1 year birthday. By Am he hide under the bed, screamed in pain if touched and had a stinky dry mouth. His temperture was at 104.4. What do you thin happened? They claim he diveloped a urinary infection. Any ideas?"

[SIDE EFFECTS]  11/12/2008: Amber from Malden, Missouri writes: "My puppy (4 months old) got her first rabies vaccination last week, I noticed yesterday that she has a large knot where they gave the shot. I, too, am worried about giving her another rabies shot. I disagree with our state's one year law for rabies shots when it is proven by science that the rabies vaccination can last for 7 years."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  11/12/2008: Libby from Pisgah Forest, NC writes: "I took my Italian Greyhound, Pucci in for her annual DA2PP vaccine yesterday, and she had side effects from it.....lethargy, a bump on the vaccination site, and also would not eat or drink, except for her treats. She is getting peppier now, and is starting to eat as of this evening. The same thing happened last year. She still has the bump, so hopefully that will subside as well. I look forward to next year, when they will start separating the vaccines and give each individual vaccines every three years. Maybe that will alleviate the side effects??? I hope so!! Pucci had her 3 yr. rabies shot two weeks ago and there were no side effects. From what I have read, lethargy for a couple of days, lack of appetite and the bump are common side effects."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  11/10/2008: Faye from Long Valley, NJ, USA writes: "Our 12 week old black lab mix had his second distemper/parvo shot with a lyme disease vaccination. The following day, he could not stand or walk on his own. Our vet contacted the manufacturer's of the vaccine. They acknowledged other dogs having this reaction but the cases were so few that they do not place warnings on their bottles. Our vet treated him with predizone and I began Benadryl 3x daily. Within the first couple of days our pup was back on his feet and playing. We have reduced the predizone and the results have been a gradual improvement. I have discussed this problem with a knowledgeable rescue for animals and they always give a dose of Benadryl (1/2 cc) before every puppy gets their first vaccine to avoid this reaction."

my 6 year old auss.shepherd male dog. received his rabies shot on aug.18.2008 around mid sept. he started getting sick on and off. i thought it was his food. so i changed it. soon he didnt want to eat much of the food either.then he kept getting sick. i took him to the emergency,his blood work came back he has anemia.he was 52 lbs. now he is 45 lbs. he has never been sick. i am very upset. i am sorry i took him to the vet. i truly believe its from the shot. please if this has happened to others i need to know if there is a connection. thank you. in az.l.andersen"

[SIDE EFFECTS]  11/06/2008: Sandy from Vineland, NJ writes: "My 11 month old recently adopted female Golden Retriever just got her first Lyme vaccine. Within 12 hours she has diarrhea and its been two days. I believe this is a direct result of the vaccine because nothing else has changed and her stools were find up unto the vaccine."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  11/05/2008: Glenda from Stoughton, WI writes: "We took our Miniature Daschund, Hannah in for her third distemper vaccination yesterday and she had a severe reaction. The first shot gave her a reaction and we had to take her back to the vet for steroids, I questioned them on whether this shot was really necessary given the severity of her reaction. They indicated it was and that if we pre medicated her she would be fine. We did pre medicate for the second shot and there was no reaction. Yesterday she began vomiting, loose stools, face began swelling, eyes swelled shut, veins in ears swollen and she was obviously in pain. She went back to the vet for steriod injections and benadryl. We have to give benadryl every 12 hours for 2 more days. There will be no more distemper shots for this dog, she is too valuable to us."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  11/04/2008: Amie from New Britain, CT, USA writes: "My Italian Greyhound (16 weeks old) got her distemper booster earlier today - the 3rd set of the vaccination in a set of 3. Now she seems to be really sore in the shoulder where she received the shot. A large lump has appeared.. it's really, really soft, almost like a giant blister under her fur and skin. That's the best way I can describe it. It's not so much like it's swollen, but more jiggly. I'm pretty worried about her now because she shrieks in pain if you rest your hand against it. I don't know if this is a normal reaction or if I should be worried. She has had a tendency to overreact (quite vocally) to certain things, such as loud noises."

It is now a year later and he still has a bald spot on his shoulder. We have since then switched vets but I am very reluctant to give him or my other dog their boosters or rabies shots because of this."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  11/01/2008: Darleen from Milford, CT writes: "My dog has IVD, which was diagnosed on his 9th Birthday, after a severe symptom outbreak, shortly after receiving the combo vaccination of Bortadella/Parvo/Leptosporosis. After an MRI, steroids & ongoing weekly acupuncture, he had his mobility back until the annual vaccination was again due. To be conservative, I asked that the vaccination be separated. Therefore, he had Bortadella, Parvo & Leptosporosis vaccinations separately, 2 plus weeks apart. That is why it was easy to determine that 24 hours after the Leptosporosis vaccination, he had back disc/pain/ambulatory problems as severe as the year before. He was on steroids for a month until he could resume acupuncture weekly again. His chart was marked "No Lepto." However, he continued to have intermittent setbacks until the most severe one 5 weeks ago. He was again treated with steroids which helped but did not get him fully functional. Yesterday, I had bloodwork done for the neurosurgical consult. Today, I was informed that he now has hepatitus/advanced liver enzymes which could be caused by steroids but is also caused by Leptosporosis. You requested feedback for negative reactions to vaccinations so I hope this will be useful."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  10/31/2008: Cheryl from Eaton Rapids, MI USA writes: "We just went through the most horrific experience with our beloved 11 year old cat. She was acting funny, so the next morning we took her to our vet which was only open until noon (Sat.). He gave her an antibiotic shot. When we got her home she started having seizures and was eating like a pig in between the seizures. Our vet was closed for the weekend, so we found a vet in another city that was open. They asked if she was current on her vaccinations. She hardly ever went outside, and I don't like to give vaccinations...so we said no. They immediately took her in the back and put her on anti-seizure med. The next day her seizures stopped, but they convinced us that she was shutting down. We decided to put her to sleep. They called back and said "BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T HAVE HER RABIES VACCINATION, THEY'D HAVE TO CUT OFF HER HEAD AND SEND IT TO THE LAB FOR TESTING!!!" They said she scratched two people which I don't believe because she was so lethargic. I am so torn up to this day. They sent our beloved "Moo" home to bury with no head. I cry as I write this and cry every day. There was nothing we could do because they reported it to the State. That clinic should have either refused to see her, or told us what could happen if she bites or scratches someone. We would have left NOW. After all was done...we found out that her first reaction was probably a pork splinter stuck in her throat, and the second was the reaction to the shot...both misdiagnosed. We miss her so much. Thanks for reading."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  10/29/2008: Barbara Oberle from Kingston, RI writes: "My 4 year old neutered male cat had booster shots for rabies and distemper yesterday. Since then he has been lethargic and not eating."

10/24/2008: Nancy from Flushing , Michigan, USA writes: "I have a 11 month old bloodhound. When she was 6 months old, she was spayed. About a week later, she became lethargic. I took her back to the vet, fearing an infection. He treated her with ampicillan. A few days after that, she started developing neurological symptoms, i.e. walking on the top of her right, front paw. I immediately took her back to the vet, He placed her on a steroid and Bactrin, She improved, but her symptoms worsened when weaned from the steroid. She was falling, lost the sight in her right eye, was walking on her paw, and seemed to have generalized right sided weakness. He referred her to a neurologist, who did a spinal tap, which showed a virus.-unspecified. The treatment changed to high doses of Batril, Ammoxocillan and steroid. Her condition has improved somewhat, but not a great deal. She is no longer faling or walking on her paw, and has regained some sight, but since being weaned from the Bactrin, is now rounding. This has been going on two weeks now. We have raised the steroid to 40 mgs twice a day. With very little improvement. We have considered more Batril,,

The original vet has now found another dog that developed similiar symptoms, and who was in the hosptial at the same time.

Any ideas? suggestions? She is only a baby, could these side effects be from the vaccine?"

Our 3 y/o Chihuaua had a Lymes booster shot when she was about 2 y/o. They apparently give the same dose no matter what size they are. She weighed appr. 6 lbs at the time. She was really sick for two days with flu like S/S. She recovered, but now she has been getting front and back leg tremors. It started with just one side, but I noticed it has gone to the other side as well. We didn't realize until after the shot that this condition has been reported. We are sick to death about it and and know her quality of life is now affected and quite possibly her length of life also. We have not found any remedy :-("

[SIDE EFFECTS]  10/22/2008: Kelly from Chicago, Il writes: "I rescued an abandoned lab about a month ago, took him to the vet who decided to give him Rimadyl and Simplicef for a sore on the pad of his foot. He seemed to react fine so a few weeks later I took him in for his rabies shot, 1st round of Bordetella and DHPPC shots. I went back 2 weeks after the for the second round of Bordetella and DHPPC and scheduled him to be nuetred in 4 weeks.

Within those 4 weeks my dog became sick and began to vomit a yellow bile. When I took him in to be neutered his platelet count came back really low and the vet put him on Doxycycline and Prednisone. We tested for tick titers that came back negative and they still don't know what is wrong with him.

I'm so angry that the vet didn't wait longer between vaccines and antibiotics before scheduling him for surgery. If she hadn't done a blood test before surgery, my dog would have bleed out on the operating room table.

And now I can't afford to keep taking him to the vet and don't know what to do."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  10/22/2008: Diane from Stockton, NJ writes: "I took two Blue Merle Cardigan Corgi pups for distemper shots. At ten weeks old, this was to be their second shot. The first was done by the breeders vet. We were informed that they would act tired for the next day, and not to worry. While waiting for my husband to pay the bill, the male had a bowel mishap. As the vets assistant went to clean it up, she noticed that it was very mucusie look to it along with a white stringy effect. They put a sample under the scope and detected coccidea eggs. The dogs were given Albon Oral Susp.-5ml first day,2.5ml for the next 8 days. This was done on Sat., by Mon. The male was vomitting, had the runs and began shivering, we went back to the vet for the next three days, we were told to be patient. The third day, after keeping the puppy for a few hours, the vet called, saying that they could not tell what was wrong, and to take him to an emergancy clinic. We took them both, she was starting to act the same way. The male was taken in immediatly, the female waited to be examined before being admitted. We were called the next night, telling us that the male was in horrible pain and needed to be put down. After his actions were described to us, we both agreed not to let him suffer like that. The girl was kept in intensive care for 5 days, and was tested for everything known to man. Everything came back neg. We racked our brains, trying to come up with a cause for all this horrror and told the vets every little detail of the two weeks that they lived with us, and, nothing! We brought her home on the 6th day, paying a vet bill of slightly over $10,000. We still do not know what happened to our babies, the only thing not mentioned was the vaccines."

As far as the vaccination issue goes, my dog also had his first seizure about one week after his rabies booster."

I found something called SLO on the internet which described her nail symptoms to a "T". It's an auto immune difficiency. That in itself means nothing though as they lump anything they can't diagnose into this category. I am really worried now that she is fitting though as that has no relation to SLO. Anyone out there with some advice?"

[SIDE EFFECTS]  10/21/2008: Michelle from Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa writes: "I have a 2.5 year old Chihuahua, I took her to the vet (20 October 08) for her annual rabies vaccination and booster. I was in the morning at around 10:00. Everything was fine and I left the house at 14:00 that same day, she was still perfect. When I returned home an hour later, she came to greet me at the door as she always does, to my horror I noticed that her whole head was severely swollen, her eyes almost shut closed. I immediately took her to the vet. He gave her an adrenaline injection to help the swelling go down and kept her there for observation. At 5:30 that afternoon I went to pick her up, lots of the swelling had gone down but not all of it. At home she was very uncomfortable and in pain, she was limping as the legs that got the adrenaline injection was very sore, she was moaning and couldn't lie down for 2 mins. I phoned the vet and he said it was very unusual and i could bring her in to get something for the pain, so I did. Only at around 22:00 that night did she fall asleep. Today (21 October 08) she's doing much better, she doesn't seem to be in any pain and is walking fine. She still has swelling especially under her chin which worries me. The vet said that it's a debate if this swelling is from the rabies vaccination as something could have bitten/stung her. I told him that we live in an apartment and have not insects/spiders in our home. The possibility of something like that are very slim. I don't believe that it was anything else but from the rabies vaccine. What are your thoughts on this matter?"

[SIDE EFFECTS]  10/21/2008: David from Brampton, Ontario, Canada writes: "My Boxer had her 16 weeks vaccine to help prevent the Bordatella virus.5 days after her nasal vaccine, she developed not just a little runny nose, but a full blown infection. Yellow mucus shooting out of her nose when she sneezed. Major pleghm and rolling cough from her throat. Presently taking Doxycycline with no improvement. Now going to Guelph University for further testing. It appears the vaccine did this to her. Now I find out most people do not recommend giving your boxer this vaccine. Boy is my dog sick right now. I hope she gets better soon."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  10/21/2008: Barb from Beaverton, Michigan writes: "My Old English Bull Dog had puppies on 10-9-08, given amoxocillin 2x a day for mastitus, doing great... she went for stitches to be removed 10 days later. On this 10th day the Doctor noticed she was due this week for her parvo yearly shot. He said it was safe for the mom feeding pups to have this shot. Now 24 hours later she has a low fever and the 'runs'... I am taking her in tomorrow because there has been no change in diet and where we live, there is no contact with any dogs, 'pets or strays'... I am afraid of what this could be, because with the antibiotics and her mastitus being gone, and still finishing her meds, there is no reason at all for the runs and low fever."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  10/20/2008: Christopher from Vancouver, WA writes: "Bodhi, our 4mth old long-haired dachshund went in for his last parvo-multi shot, and his first ever rabies shot (in hip) on 10/15/08. He was tired and slept for a day, but bounded back to normal on the second day. Early in the morning on 10/18/08, Bodhi had no muscle control or tension from his midsection back; total hind quarter paralysis. Within an hour he began vomiting yellow foam (7 times in two hours). He slowly began to regain some strength by hour three. The emergency vet was certain it was the rabies vaccine, and suggested the shot was given too early (Washington law requires the first shot by six months). Bodhi still has periodic quivering spells, especially when he is sitting still, but mostly he has his control and temperament back.
Pfizer, "Rabdomun", killed virus, 1ml. (single dosage), no batch number. SN#S724897A, Exp. 7/17/09."

Homey was a mix breed of approximately 102 pounds that was 10 years old. He went for a checkup the beginning of February 2008 and was given a clean bill of health. They also gave him the 3 yr Rabies, Corona and DLPP shots.

In March he was becoming lethargic, didn't want to play ball, didn't want to go for walks and it was quite unusual since he always did. The middle of April he started drooling a lot, wouldn't eat, had sever diarrhea and vomiting and his entire hind end didn't even support him for going to the bathroom.

Took him back to the vet and they ran bloodwork and said he was fine and put him on a different diet including two different antibiotics (why he needed them if nothing was wrong...I don't know). That didn't help so we took him to a holistic doctor to see if he could help find out what was wrong. At the time we had no clue it may have been related to the vaccinations. One week after seeing the holistic doctor, he passed away. I am devastated, as this wonderful family member was always in the best of health, taken care of as you would a child and stayed in the backyard as our guardian.

Not much more to say other than after reading information on your website, thanks so much for the insight. I wish I would have known this before they vaccinated and killed him."