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.
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects
Posted by Missi (Colorado Springs, CO) on 04/21/2008
At 6 months of age my rhodesian ridgeback, now 20 months, received his rabies vaccination (Pfizer). One month later he developed bleeding ulcers on his ear tips. He has finally been diagnosed with small vessel vasculitis caused by the rabies vaccine. His ears have not been without an ulcer for the last year. At 12 weeks, my boxer got his parvo vaccine. He has a congenital birth defect of his eye, which caused a pinpoint cataract. Within 12 hours of the parvo vaccine, his eye became very inflamed, completely dilated and could see that the cataract covered the entire lens. He has been on medication to keep the eye comfortable since this time (3 years). My 12 y/o bulldog presumably has rheumatoid arthritis from her first 5 years of being vaccinated. THis cannot be confirmed to be caused by vaccines though.
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects
Posted by Nan (Waterford, Michigan) on 04/21/2008
three weimaraners were given rabies vaccine within three weeks of each other . the youngest was in emergency within three days with renal failure. After a few days there she came home. About a month after the oldest died and within a week the other one which also still had the swelling at the site was termed to have developed a cancer at the site and died within a week. All three had the same swelling and it was reported to the vaccine company, but I know they feel anything that does not happen immediately in there eyes is not a reaction!!
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects
Posted by Judy (Toms River, NJ) on 04/21/2008
Rabies Vaccine associated auto immune disease Generalized Ischemic Vasculitis: Peaches vax was April 9th in R rear haunch, ear sores and big greenish spot on same haunch at end of May, nose became chronically warm/dry with whitish look off and on, major swelling in right rear leg and haunch in mid October, hair loss inner thigh and bony rear pelvic bone near rectum with atrophy over same R thigh/haunch haunch, by November she had developed sores on each of her toe pads, peeling nails, hair loss and sores over knuckles of toes, then it took 10 months (March ) for her to lose all the hair over the haunch where the green spot originally was. Finally diagnosed by the Chief Professor of Derm at UPenn, Dr. Morris. Take photos of every change you see.
She is getting better on Natural Vit E, Transfer Factor, Ester-C, Immuplex, milk thistle, Sam-E, and the drug pentoxypylline.
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects
Posted by Jill (Anoka, Minnesota) on 04/20/2008
I just got my 3 year old tabby her yearly rabies vaccine. She hasn't stopped throwing up since she got home at 2:00pm. It's now 8:00pm and she is sill throwing up. She won't eat and the one time she got a drink of water she threw it up. She cries and cries, hiding behind furniture. My younger cat is as concerned as I am. I questioned even getting her the vaccine because she never goes outside(neither cat goes outside). I didn't give her the distemper/respiratory 3-way because I didn't think it was necessary. I'm glad I didn't. I'm hoping with some rest she will get better.
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects
Posted by Silvia (Tempe, AZ) on 04/20/2008
My nine year old American Hairless Terrier began going into shock about 7 hours after getting her rabies booster (Ft. Dodge vaccine). Her face and neck began to swell, her breathing became difficult and I had to take off her collar so she could breath due to the swelling. We rushed her to the emergency vet (of course it was after hours by then) to get cortisone and steroid to treat the shock. After about 20 minutes she could breath better and within an hour you could almost recognize her face again.
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects
Posted by Jennifer (Wantagh, NY) on 04/19/2008
Hi, My 4lb. Chihuahua Sprite reacted to Vacc.. I think the Rabies. He is now 8yrs old.. but when he was younger I noticed hard tissue under his skin where shot was given. At first I didn't relate the shots.. I was worried he had a tumor.. so took him to the vet and they actually told me they needed to remove the "mass" to biopsy it. So he had surgery.. well after surgery the mass was found to not be cancer, but only told it was inconclusive to what it was. Then another time given shots he developed the hard tissue again and has permenant hairloss too (at exact shot location). So after this I knew it was from the shots.. this past year I got the basic shot (against parvo, kennel cough & distemper), but no Lepto & Rabies. Which this time he has not developed any hard tissue or hairloss. So scary with these little ones.. and now my friends 5lb Chihuahau CoCo got her shots a few days ago and seems to be having a reaction.. wheezing and tired. I hope she'll be ok!
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects
Posted by Teri (Sparrowbush, NY) on 04/13/2008
I have seen several vaccine reactions in my welsh springer spaniels. One developed fear of people and insecurity after her rabies vaccine at 12 weeks of age. Another had several grand mal seizures within hours of getting her second rabies vaccines. I have noticed in my litters that some of the puppies will chew on themselves for several days after being given DHPP. Another pup was given a distemper vaccine by the owner and the following day a veterinian gave this pups a DHLPP, Lymes and Rabies, within 2 days this dog was biting at nonexistent flies and barking nonstop. Another of my puppy buyers dogs died the day after getting his yearly boosters. The day the vet examed this dog he said he was in excellent health.
Needless to say I no longer let my dogs be vaccinated.
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects
Posted by Carmen (Lawndale, California) on 06/18/2007
I adopted a 12 week old jack russell terrier in june 2006, as recommended by so many pet owners i immediately took her to a vet for an exam and shots. After the well puppy examination she was given all her shots but one, her rabies vaccine. Because of her age that one had to wait. After receiving har rabies shot within hours she started to vomit and shake. Once we got that under control she fell asleep. Within a few minutes she started having seizures they lasted all night. Upon calling the vet in the morning all they said was they'd note it in her file give her benedryl she'll be fine. If not bring her in. never again will my dog have another rabies shot until a blood serum test is given first. After some research I discovered that all dogs regardless of breed, size, or weight are given the same amount of rabies vaccine.
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects
Posted by EJ (Boston, MA) on 06/20/2007
I read all the comments about reactions to vaccinations for dogs, but has anyone had any bad experiences with cat vaccinations? Mine is not due for her Rabies again until next year. Any input would be great. thanks
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects
Posted by Aimee (Reno, Nevada) on 06/30/2007
Pets section, vaccines: "I lost a wonderful kitty that I was graced with for eight years due to a rabies vaccine. All four of my cats were given this same vaccine on the same day at the same place, but Spunky was the one who developed a Feline Fibrosarcoma due to a genetic predisposition among strays in our county. The shot was given in the shoulder, which is the old method for pets (ALWAYS have shots given in the back leg as you can amputate if necessary). Soon after he developed what felt like a small hard knot on his shoulder bone, which quickly grew in size. Biopsy showed it to be a cancerous tumor with tiny tendrils that extended out and into the surrounding tissue. Due to its location it could not be removed. Spunky made it seven more months before passing, but not before suffering like any cancer patient would. He went through chemotherapy and received the best possible veterinary care through a local vet and through the wonderful people at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in Davis, California. His cancer was CAUSED by a vaccine manufactured by the company Fort Dodge, which has a history of this type of vaccine tumor arising in all kinds of pets. Since pets are considered "property" and not as an actual life, there are no grounds to sue this company. What they did was make a pitiful offer of a few hundred dollars for compensation. Spunky's medical bills for this cancer were well over three-thousand dollars. I have since learned that adult cats who are INDOORS ONLY do NOT need to have yearly vaccinations. I have also had several vets tell me this, and that they personally do not have their cats vaccinated because of the risks associated with it. Please heed my warning and do not allow your pet to be vaccinated in the shoulder OR with vaccine manufactured by Fort Dodge. Spunky has been gone for almost four years, and a day does not go by that he is not on my mind somewhere. I miss him terribly and hope to spare his fate for as many others as possible. Thank you!
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects
Posted by Laura (West Babylon, New York) on 07/11/2007
re 3-Yr Rabies Vaccine -- My 2 year old Border Collie has changed since receiving the vaccine in May. Calm submissive puppy has become semi-agressive and has had first seizure on July 10. Vet testing to see if he can determine cause of seizure and am afraid that another will happen. I vow not to get any vaccines ever again, desite laws. I just won't take him to places that require it, like agility comp, etc. I pray that I don't lose my best friend.
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects
Posted by Bob (Houston, USA) on 07/18/2007
my 3yr old cat was given a rabies shot on Sunday. Within hours she became lethargic. Then she began to cough a little.The next day a little more. The next day she started throwing up her food a little bit. She's going to the vet tomorrow. No more shots for my pets.
My 8 year old chihuahua had all shots recommended when he was small, his urine turned orange & he threw up. He's fine now but no more shots.
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects
Posted by Jennie (Soldotna, Alaska) on 07/28/2007
My kitty was only 8 months old when he died yesterday. I tried everything to save him. The vet couldn't figure out what was wrong. The only thing he ever recieved was a rabies vaccination. After that he went down hill. He started with diarrhia, and it was incurable. Then he started throwing up, drooling. He didn't make it. Vaccinations are bad for humans, why would they be ok for our pets?
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects
Posted by Claudia (Chicago, Illinois USA) on 07/30/2007
My 15 year old indoor cat was vaccinated on May 25th for a Rabies vaccine. She was only vaccinated 13 years before and never again since she was healthy and I did not think she would need any vaccines since she never went outdoors. Well, she died today. I took her to the vet on Friday June 27th because she had not been eating for a week and was only drinking and would just lay and not move much. The vet found 2 lumps on her throat, Swollen glands was what he thought, the x-rays showed that her kidneys where enlarged and she was also jaundice. I was informed on Saturday that the lumps where cancerous, and nothing could be done to save her. SHE WAS FINE AND PERFECT HEALTH IN MAY!!!
All of a sudden she has 2 lumps??? CANCER!!
I have heard that vaccines are not required for older indoor cats and I truly wish I did not vaccinate her. THe vet is not offering any information on the matter. PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT VACCINATE your older cats. I know she would still be with me if I never vaccinated her. Here is what I noticed. she stopped playing around and only hung around in the basement. She slowly stopped eating her favorite treats, then dry, then wet food and only drank water. ALOT of water. Her urine was orangy and VERY strong. She sometimes could not make it to her littler box and would urinate in plastic bags or clothing. I noticed her breathing heavy and yellow around her ears and gums and took her to the vet.
She was 15 and was a Tonkinese mix. As she lay having to fight for every breath, her legs where all stiff and she was not blinking. I pet her softly and told her it was OK to go and she managed to let out a painful MEOW and her body started shacking and she passed. I wish no one else has to go thru loosing they pet like I did. I feel that vets hold back on information such as the side affects and dangers. I know some vaccines are harmful to humans. AT 4 years old my daughter received 3 vaccines and 24 hours later I found her not breathing on the bathroom floor. She now uses a breathing machine and has severe Asthma. I no one in my family or her fathers family have asthma, and I never smoked or no one around us smoked ever. I think the government is not being upfront with us.
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects
Posted by Bartek (Brampton, On, Canada) on 07/30/2007
My dog is a german shepard and after she had taken the rabies shot, whenever she went to sleep or lay or even sat down she let out a little urine and drank far more than she ever has. could this be a side effect or what could this be? please you guys are my only hope if you do know what it could be please e-mail me at
[email protected] thank you sincerly
