Booster Shot Side Effects
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Booster Shot Side Effects in Dogs

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Side Effects
Posted by ph0t0journey365 (Camano Island, WA) on 02/04/2023

Our now 6 year old GSD has had side effects to his booster shots EVERY time, especially the rabies and distemper one, even if it is the three year booster. We have had him since he was four weeks old. He didn't seem to have any adverse reactions to his first set of shots, which was great. That last series of first shots where he was old enough to get the rabies and distemper shot was not fun. He exhibited flu like symptoms for months and had an ear infection that would not go away for almost six months. Then, he turned a little over a year old and had to get his booster rabies shot. Ear infection came back in less than 12 hours after the shot and did not go away for more than a year. Happened again with his third year rabies/distemper shot at age four. Now, we have gotten him his final booster set, including parvo/lepto and bordatella that an adoption agency made me get so we could bring home a beautiful Pyrenees boy last year and, after being ear infection free for almost another year or so, he is in pain all the time again with the ear infections. We are not talking something mild here, but an ear infection that has him yelping and crying every time he moves or scratches his head. We have been treating it with Olive Oil and Tea Tree Oil, gently warmed and rubbed into the ear, which seems to help, but we already know it isn't going to go away probably for another six months to a year. Aside from just plain rabies shots because we have to by law, I am not getting ANY of my dogs any other vaccines. This insanity has to stop. They are essentially making us kill our kids and pets.

Side Effects
Posted by Patricia (Texas) on 01/09/2020

I have a Chihuahua he is 2 years old he had his D.H.I.P Booster and Parvo/Corona on 1/8/2020 and his back right leg is real sore he can't jump, he want eat and he is throwing up but he still wants to ride in the car and be hug on.

Side Effects
Posted by Patricia (Texas) on 01/09/2020

I have a Chihuahua he is 2 years old he had his D.H.I.P Booster and Parvo/Corona on 1/8/2020 and his back right leg is real sore he can't jump, he want eat and he is throwing up but he still wants to ride in the car and be hug on.

Side Effects
Posted by Shanon (Las Vegas, Nv) on 01/05/2016

Our 9 year old Boxer received several booster shots recently (approx 4 to 5 weeks ago).

My boyfriend's daughter works at a dog daycare/vet clinic and gets some services for free. She had mentioned this to us and said to let her know next time Roscoe needs anything. So we asked her about having his nails trimmed and she suggested she take him to work with her to have the service done. We said fine and off he went for the day.

When she brought him home she announced she'd had several boosters given to him and the vet had checked him for arthritis in his hips and blah blah blah. We were not thrilled and we've already decided next time we'll just pay someone to clip his nails because we feel she way overstepped her boundaries, but anyhow...

Beginning about a week after this all happened we noticed he smelled different. Not really foul, but different. He smells kinda like peanut butter with a dash of "dog needs a bath" smell on it.

Also we have noticed him occasionally dragging one foot (on the injection side) slightly and being a bit clumsy though his hind end. These symptoms neither of us have ever seen him exhibit before. We BOTH noticed.

Side Effects
Posted by Marleyspark (Ozark, Missouri) on 05/31/2013

Our 12 year-old black tom-cat (12.4lb) was taken for his booster shots FELV, FVRCCP RABIES FELINE 1 YR BOOSTER. He was also given 2 worm pills and Frontline. This is usually an annual visit but last year I opted him out - with the opinion that, at his age, booster shots every year didn't seem 'right'. Today the vet told me that it would not be a problem that we had missed a year, so we went ahead and got the shots. First side effect (and least worrying) is that he got a ravenous appetite and went straight to his food bowl once home. Can put that down to nerves (he is nervous in nature).

Of most concern: 7 hours sleep later... At 6pm he is weak. His back legs are not supporting him very well and his back-end keeps keeling to one side; accompanied with rapid breathing. He looks very tired. His eyes seem a very teensy bit crossed. He is also 'swallowing' as if he has a sore throat (maybe this is due to the long implement placed down his throat to administer the two worm pills) - and he is Not interested in drinking water, but he ate some cat food. He managed to jump up onto a chair and doesn't seem to be feeling ill. The vet's response to these symptoms was, 'feed him and if he doesn't improve by tomorrow bring him in and we'll take a look at him'. I pray he's okay! Our other cat 'same age but female' had all the same treatments and she is completely fine.

Side Effects
Posted by Susanne (St. Joseph, Mo Missouri) on 06/12/2012

I just got my 4 yr old mini doxie revac'd this Spring. He had rabies, distemper and bordatella(nasal). On my way home, the dog puked all over the car and all over me when I tried to help him out onto the grass. He was sick for several hours, slept most of the evening and was a little lethargic when he did go out to pee. He seemed fine the next day. I thought it might be a reaction to the shots but never thought of an allergic reaction. I just thought that maybe it was a little too strong for a mini guy. He was a rescue and I didn't know much about him and my other dog was much bigger.

Yesterday, I took my 12 yr old yellow lab to the vet for her shots... Same ones. We were going out of town and I needed to board both dogs so I got the bordatella(nasal) for her too. I was 5 blocks from home and she puked all over the back seat. Big dog, big mess. I pulled over and let her out and we stayed there thru 3 more upheavals. After about 20 minutes, there was no more and we headed home. Things promptly got worse after we got home. More puking was followed by my beloved Angel not being able to breathe normally. Her body was wretching while she strained so hard to get oxygen. Her tongue was hanging out, slobber everywhere and then her tongue turned purple. I had already realized this was a severe allergic reaction and we were in the car headed back to the vet. I didn't think I was going to make it in time. She was given an iv of prednisone and put on oxygen. For 2.5 hours I watched my old girl desperately try to get oxygen and there was nothing I could do but be there. Finally I saw some pink come back to her tongue and the breathing distress she was in, lessened. We bounced back and forth with breathing labored and getting calmer for another half hour before she finally was able to lay her head down and stretch out with minimal discomfort. Her breathing still wasn't right but she was so much better than before. The vet thinks that it was the nasal bordatella because it was her lungs that shut down. She has never had one before because I have never boarded her before. He put a red flag on her chart to make sure she was never given the nasal dosage again and told me there was a shot that could be given. I told him she would never have another shot for the rest of her life. NEVER! The prednisone was supposed to work in about 20 minutes.... NOT SO MUCH! She had 2 hours of oxygen with a very caring young man that laid on the floor with her to make sure the tube stayed near her mouth so she had pure oxygen. He even kissed her head and pet her as he could see the terror in her eyes also. I know that I almost lost my Angel Face and am very grateful that I had thought to look up symptoms these shots might cause(because of the puking) and happened to read this site. All it took was reading one story and we were on the road to the vet.

Thank you all for sharing and helping to save my dog, my best friend. Her "brother" Jax, the mini doxie will not ever have to go thru any of this either.

Side Effects
Posted by Cinderella (The Villages, Florida) on 03/16/2012

I just want to say that last year I took my 11 year old poodle to the vet for her yearly shots, rabies, etc. And when I got her home she went into shock, I called the vet and he said bring her right in and they had to do something to save her life. I do not know what they did. She seemed fine after a few days, so once again I took her in this year and the same thing happened and now they are saying she has a thyroid problem, kidney problems, she is on an antibiotic and liver meds to the tune of 80.00 just for that. I can tell you that there is no question in my mind that it was the vaccines and I will never take her to the vet and get them again!!!!!

She is 12 years old now and I will let her live her life without them. She only goes in our yard to go potty and otherwise except for her walks is never out of the house and on her walks she is on a leash with us. So I am not worried about rabies, or kennel cough, etc. when I was a young lady growing up 50 years ago there was no such thing as taking your dog in for vaccines and they lived to be old old dogs of 14 yrs or more, so please watch those vaccines something is going on.

Side Effects
Posted by Laura (Lees Summit, Mo) on 01/23/2012

My dog Xander had a bad reaction to his yearly rabies and distemper vaccination. He is a German Short-hair Pointer, 11 years old, 66 pounds. He has been treated for several years for hip dysplasia, arthritis and urinary incontinence. This is the first time he had a bad reaction to rabies and distemper vaccinations. He got the shots in the morning. For the rest of the day and evening he would not walk without assistance and would not eat the food he loves in which I put his medicines. He lay down all day and night and held his head at an unusual angle. We thought he was going to die. The following day he seemed back to normal and we are grateful for that. In the future, we won't repeat these vaccinations for this particular indoor dog.

Side Effects
Posted by Niki (Atherstone, Warwickshire, England) on 11/05/2011

I have a Staffordshire Bull Terrier (boy) who is 22 months old. We bought him when he was about 9 weeks old. His skin and coat were in great condition. We took him for his first set of puppy jabs and shortly after that, he developed a skin rash, which got worse and covered his whole body. We spent 100's on him at the vets including skin scrapes, which did not reveal any problems. The vet then suggested biopsies, which after the skin scrapes and state I got him back in, I declined. I researched the net and thought that perhaps he was suffering from a poor immune system. So I started feeding him spirulina, echinacea and goldenseal tincture and biotin. After a couple of months of this, his skin and coat were in absolute tip top condition.

We decided that as he was not going to be stud, it would be fairer for him to be castrated which was done at the end of August this year. He was due for a booster so he had this when his stitches were taken out which was about two months ago. Within a week or so of having the booster, he started to get a couple of spots around his neck and head again, which have spread all over him and he constantly licks his feet. I have read some articles on the net, which suggest that maybe the booster was the cause. I have since phoned the vet, who was quite positive that the booster would not cause this reaction.

I just feel that it is too much of a coincidence that the all over body rash happened after his first booster then the second. It took ages to get him back to full health the first time round, which involved hypo-allergenic food (which he still eats), herbal treatments and trying different bedding, also buying a steamer to steam clean the house. I feel exasperated as I am back to square one with him. He is spotty, itchy and uncomfortable and I am bathing him and applying neem oil, continuing with the herbs and generally trying to make him as comfortable as possible.

I am wondering if there are any other herbal treatments I can try. I think that there has to be some connection with the booster as nothing else in his life has changed.

Any comments or advice would be appreciated. Thanks for listening.

Side Effects
Posted by Delaine (Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts) on 11/05/2011

My toy poodle is running around like crazy and has been whining for several hours off and on. He must be in a lot of pain from a distemper booster shot he just received. He keeps digging and burying his head. How do we calm him down?

Side Effects
Posted by Pitmom420 (Houston, Texas) on 11/04/2011

Got two of my dogs vaccinated for parvo/distemper at a local shelter clinic and within 10 days displayed all the signs of distemper. My pitbull, Max, is 6 months old and had it the worst of the 3 dogs - he was sick for nearly a month and there were at least 5 times we thought he was going to die on us.

He has managed to recover mostly but is still very clumsy, has diarrhea and overall looks very skinny and fragile.

If your dog contracts this virus, don't give up. Request Dioxycycline and Clavamox as well as supplelement the animal with 1/2 tsp of food grade diotomaceous earth in the food. I even used a nebulizer with Albuterol to get Max thru the respiratory phase. Don't be afraid to use DM cough suppressant and decongestant for stuffy noses and Benadryl for a runny nose. Flexiril and massage for facial tics or tremors as needed.

These poor dogs literally have 2 1 gallon ziplocs full of every medicine and supplement I could think of.

Max is ok for the most part - my German Shepard Charlie is only exhibiting the runny nose and has a facial tic on his right side that is permanent.

Your dog can recover with dedication and research on your part. I have realized sadly that MANY of the vets out there know NOTHING about distemper. You are going to have to be your own expert.

Good luck. People can email me at if they want advice:

gulfcoastmom8008(at)yahoo.com

Annie

Side Effects
Posted by Lynnette (Olympia, Wa) on 08/22/2011

I have an Italian Greyhound (neutered male) 3.25 years at time of vaccination. Tim had 2 vaccines Leptospirosis and Bordetella, both by injection. 14 hours later he had a status-epilepticus seizure that endured 1 hour.

After the single seizure he was placed on Phenobarbital. I now work with a holistic vet and have moved him to Sodium Bromide and supplements.

Side Effects
Posted by Corrin (Baltimore, Md) on 05/19/2011

I recently took my Jack Russell mixed breed to get his distemper, rabies, lymes, lepto, and bordetella vaccines. Two hours later he was limping and refused to use his back left leg. I called the vet to find out which limbs were injected. The back left leg was injected with the lepto vaccine. After a restless night of watching over him like a hawk, I woke him early the next morning only to find that he was now limping on his front right leg as well and refused to move at all. Apparently the front right was the destemper injection. My poor baby was in so much pain he was shaking and crying and got very upset if he was touched. I rushed him to the vet where he was given morphine and anti-inflamatories. After 48 hours on pain killers and anti-inflamatories he is better. He still has two red lumps that look like injection sites and there is a large amount of red skin around the injection.

I found out that the same thing happend to my neighbor's small terrier. The distemper vaccine almost killed her little angel.

Side Effects
Posted by Cindy (Council Bluffs, Ia, Usa) on 11/28/2009

My dog had his annual vaccinations a week ago and a large lump has developed in the past 4 days. He is a pekingese/yorkie mix and is 1 years old. The lump is nearly 2 inches across. The vet told me just to watch it so no remedies have been tried yet. No other symptoms are present.

Side Effects
Posted by Jlogan (Los Angeles, Ca) on 09/10/2009

Distemper Booster: Bad Side Effects

My 2 1/2 year old, male French Bulldog went in for a set of booster shots on 9/03. On 9/09, he started to uncontrollably bob his head up and down. Unluckily for us, we have experienced this same reaction when we took him for his 1 year set of booster shots. After the initial 1 year booster shot reaction, I researched a lot and could only find a few connections between vaccines and his side effects. The vet was very cautious to not associate the head bobbing reaction to the vaccines.

Now, we know for sure after this last shot on Thursday that the head bobbing reaction was caused by getting a vaccine. The first time, he was given Rabies, Distemper, Parvo and Bordetella. I tried only giving him the distemper shot alone this time would avoid any potential harmful side effects. This did not work. Last time the head bobbing lasted for a full 24 hours and went away. Now we are on day 2 and the head bobbing continues. I just want it to go away.

The vet is telling me that the head bobbing is only disturbing for me and that it is not harmful to the dog. It is really sad.


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