Side Effects of Pet Vaccines: A Closer Look

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.
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Maggie (Staten Island, New York) on 02/28/2011

I have a female maltese DOB 10/04/10. She was quite ill with bronchial pneumonia when I got her on January 9th 2011 so her vaccines were delayed a bit... On Jan 30th she was given rabies vacine... No reaction... On feb 8th she received her first injection of CDV-CPV A2 ped vaccine.. With no reaction ...

But today feb 28th upon getting the last of her shots which was CDV- A2 Adult vaccine she had a very bad reaction Within 30 minutes I had to run back to the vet office with her... Her eyes blew up like swollen little golf balls with bright red rings.. It was horrific.... The vet administered benadrly as well as steroids and kept her at the office for observation. I don't know if I will be able to bring her home later today as I was advsied to call back at 5:30 to check her progress. Please advise me on what steps I should take... The vet said the vaccine was from the same lot given earlier in teh month... But I am so hesitant to repeat any vaccines ever again. Who Do I report this reaction to ? I m a nurse and if this was a human reaction I know who to call.. But not fir a canine... So please advise Thanks Maggie


Bordetella
Posted by Halo (Ashdown, Arkansas, Usa) on 02/27/2011
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

My 10 week old Wolf/husk high content hybrid has been severly congested (to the point of choking) since the eveing after his Bordatella vaccine 13 days ago. Steam and a towel with vapor rub on it just outside his crate at night helps but, I will NEVER give him that vaccine again and am hesitant to give him ANY vaccines in the future.


Combination Vaccines
Posted by Citipearl (New York, Ny) on 02/22/2011

I just took my two shih tzus in for shots -- they are 8 1/2 years old and have had these before. However, this time, within an hour of coming home, they were both lethargic. As the day progressed, they had fevers, were sensitive to the touch (even in places away from the site of the shots), had no appetites, and continued to be tired. Two days later, they seemed to perk up a bit. However, I am still concerned that there might longer term problems. The vet said I could bring the dogs back in -- I didn't want to do it in freezing weather if the dogs seemed to be getting better but now I'm concerned. Advice anyone?


Bordetella
Posted by Bostons Rule (Saint Petersburg, Fl) on 02/21/2011

This is a deadly drug for any snubnose dog. Why must we give it to dogs at such a young age. They already have weak systems, this has cause upper respitatory infection everytime. Why not wait until they are older with a stronger immune system. Giving so many vaccines at one time is very unhealthy. If they want these dogs to get vaccinated then must the sale age greater.


Combination Vaccines
Posted by Hershey (Louisburg, N.c.) on 02/10/2011

We have taken our 12 week old lab puppies to vet for follow up booster shots. We have 3 puppies. One of the puppies after having the vaccine now is not eating, drinking, and has diarreah and dry nose, and lethargic. We are taking Hershey back to vet today to see if this is a complication. Jack & Honey are fine.

Combination Vaccines
Posted by M.c.remya (Palakkad, India) on 07/12/2011

i have a similar querry too, My lab who was 5 years old was prone to vaccination on MAY 2nd 2011, DOC came home vaccinated it , but I don't understand how dump a person can be, as he injected my doggie with 2 vaccination at a time without our knowledge, 1) for rabies, 2) for skin infection, IMMEDIATELY after the vaccination, he left me on the other hand told him, thte dog had fever the previous night, so he even checked and told nathin is wrong now and he vaccinated it :(, after the it couldnt move, I had to carry the 65 kg animal all over even for natures call. Thy it never walked, I took it to vet thy gave us medicine, it lost its appetite, just kept on drinkin water, and finally on MAY 16th morning, it raised its head from the floor, slammed its head on both sides like how whales do in the ocean, we got scared, then ist toungue turned blue /ash and it dies, I really cannot take this out of mind pls anybody tell me what was teh reason for its pityful death , we couldnt save it than watchin it mercifully :(, pls help me , , , am haunted with its thoughts and guilt.


Combination Vaccines
Posted by Diamond (Salisbury, Usa) on 07/13/2011

I RECENTLY WENT THROUGH THE SAME THING SAME AS TWO OF MY SISTERS DID. VETS. ARE EUTHANIZING OUR PETS BY THE MILLIONS; NATION WIDE, AND THEY HAVE THE LEGAL RIGHT TO DO SO. IF YOU HAVE ANY FRIENDS WITH PETS ASK THEM NOT TO GO TO THE VETS. LET NATURE TAKE CARE OF ITSELF; IF ALL ELSE FAILS WE CAN TRY TO HELP SAVE OUR OWN ANIMALS. , WITH NATURAL CURES. MY VET GAVE MY SWEET ZOEY AN ANTIHISTAMINE WHICH MADE HER HEART BEAT WAY TOO FAST AS SHE WAS ALREADY BREATHING HEAVILY FROM BEING SICK, I TOOK HER HOME AN SHE DIED IN MY ARMS I WAS DEVASTATED AND HEART BROKEN. THEY CAN'T HAVE OUR SOULS SO THEY TRY TO BREAK OUR SPIRITS. BE SURE TO SPREAD THE WORD TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT YOUR VET. I'M SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. GOD BLESS


Combination Vaccines
Posted by Remya (Palakkad, Kerala, India) on 07/18/2011

Thanks for your kind reply , ya lets all make sure next time, dog is not exposed to deadly vaccins, I really don wan vets to break my soul once again... Lets all pray for the sleeping soul to ever rest in peace and be a guardian angel, :(... Miss my RUByyyyyyyyy


Combination Vaccines
Posted by Terri (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) on 02/06/2011

Thank you so much for this site and for everyone sharing their stories. I wish I had of found you 5 years ago. Maybe my 12 year old dog would not be suffering so much now. I am going to try the Apple Cider Vinegar and yogurt. Just finished to bouts of antibiotics for paws and then for her ears. It is worse than ever before now. Hives are showing up on her snout below her nose and around her eyes. Paws and ears are raw. She had an allergic reaction about 6 years ago after getting her shots. I suspected it was the shots. I have renewed hope. Thank you all so much. I will let you know how it goes for her.


Parvo Vaccine
Posted by Rachel (Eau Claire, Wi) on 02/03/2011

Our 10 week old husky puppy had her parvo vaccine yesterday. About a minute and a half after being injected she went into a grandmaul seizure. The vet said he'd NEVER heard of that happening before and he said he's pretty sure she has epilepsy. It was the SCARIEST thing I've ever been through, she seized in my arms. After looking through all these responses and all Im even more firm on my belief that the shot caused the seizure. So far she's not had anymore. But we will be trying the Coliander leaves in her food, and are waiting to hear from the vet to see if DSMO or whatever is aproved for dogs in our state. If so we will be trying that too to make sure there is no long term effects. We LOVE this puppy and dont want to lose her. So a warning to other husky owners, BEWARE.


Combination Vaccines
Posted by Maple65 (Vancouver, Bc, Canada) on 01/31/2011

It is with a heavy heart I post the following

We took our 1 year old Persian this morning for castration as we had no history of his as he was left on our door step, we asked the vet to give him the necessary vacinations like rabies, feline Leukemia and others.
The vet was asked by me if it was Ok if he had all these together on one go and she said they do it all the time-They also did his blood test for FL and it was negative Besides the vaccinations and surgery, they also gave him a de-worming tablet, an antibiotic a painkiller- We picked him up later in the evening and he seemed Ok . He ate his food and then after 1/2 hr. He started licking his scrotum, we made him desist and then he suddenly started bleeding heavily, so we thought it was due to the surgery. We called the vet and he said bring him in immediately We rushed him and the vet said he will check him and then after taking him into surgery , they gave him gas as he had eaten food, and that the sutures which were internal were fine, then the doc said it was because his blood had thinned down and he was going to do a blood count-and said that the blood had most probably gone to his lungs.

He said that it was the medications possibily

After he finished he said well there's 40% chance as he's serious and his breathing is labored as he suspected he may be bleeding elsewhere too, but to keep him at the vets and they would monitor him. The vet said his color and gums are pink and healthy lokiing but he was to be monitored through the night

The vet also told us that if he survives the night, the next day he may have blood in his stools , maybe dark or fresh and he would have bruises over his body.

An hour after he called us and said he was awake and breathing normally

What I want to know is, Can all these vacinations surgery be done all at the same time?maybe he could not take all the different medications like the vaccinations, de-worming when they checked his ears inside there were ear mites and the ears were cleaned out some external drops was applied on his skin between the shoulders

Could not all this be the reason for his blood thinning and not clotting ?

I hope and pray that he comes thru and we get our baby of 10 days back- He has brought so many smiles in our lives. Feed back will be appreciated-thanks

Combination Vaccines
Posted by Maple65 (Vancouver, Bc, Canada) on 02/11/2011

To all who read the above post-By the grace of God, Bianco survived the ordeal-and is back home and doing well-It was quite a trauma but are happy that all ended well for our little guy


Seizures
Posted by Carolsfeedupw/vets (Swansea, Ma, Massachusetts) on 01/27/2011

Our Rottweiler went in for his 2nd series of shots and by the time we walked out and to the desk to pay the bill my pup released urine all over my son. When my son put him down he dropped w/no movement, he went into Anaphylactic shock. He was critical for over forty minutes then hours til we could see him and bring him home.

Three days later he was licking the area where they injucted the needle and w/i hours it was flesh. We rushed him into another vet for a 2nd opinion and yes, it was due to the Lepto vaccine. Sad thing is they admit that at least one dog per yr per vet witnesses a dogs death due to this vaccine. So, why is it still out there, why aren't we warned til after the fact, and who the heck is responsible for the damage? His leg will be scarred for the rest of his life, we had to hold off on training, puppy classes, puppy daycare. I'm out of a job due to the stress of not wanting to leave him alone knowing that he could have future health issues, Seizures and now he's afraid of people and I can't even socialize him.


Combination Vaccines
Posted by Dls (Fairfax, Va) on 01/01/2011

Heartworm medication and vaccination reaction following head injury of Cairn Terrier.

Two and a half years ago our cairn terrier was hit in the head by a closing recliner chair. Since then the left side of his head has paralysis including the inability to move his left ear, difficulty closing his eye ( no vision problem) and unable to close the left side of his mouth completely. Since that injury he has had episodes of neurological symptoms including falling over with his legs flail and cries out lasting approximately 1 minute, occurring 1-3 days following the administration of his monthly dose of interceptor.

On December 1st 2010 I took him to the vet for his rabies vaccination and the vet recommended he also have a Lyme vaccination which I agreed with. Following these vaccinations, his appetite decreased and he has increased thirst and noted weight loss. He is less active with many periods of sleepiness. Approximately 3 weeks following the vaccination and two days after giving him his heart-worm medication interceptor, the neurological episodes started and were much worse than ever before occurring 1-2 times a day and for approximately 5 days. He hasn't had any further episodes over the past 3 days but he is much less active and has had loss of bladder several times.

Our dog continues to play chasing thrown objects but tires much quicker than normal then lies down and sleeps for a couple of hours. I am at the point that I feel our dog is reacting to his heart worm medication and his vaccinations.


Seizures
Posted by Karen (Manchester, Tn) on 12/30/2010

Our 7 week old Great Pyrenees has been having seizures every 2 to 4 hours after getting vaccinations.


Combination Vaccines
Posted by Maca (Lj, Slovenia) on 12/24/2010
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

My 3 years old Boston terrier got a booster shot of Vanguard 7 yesterday at noon. Within 1 hour he got small and big lumps all over his body and his face started swelling. He was very itchy and restless. Immediately took him back to vet for a antidote shot. His face swellings set back to minimum within 20 mins, back at home he was throwing up (it contained a little of blood)and drinking lot of water, the lumps did not disappear until late at night. He could barely walk, couldn't lye for more than few mins, most of the time he was just standing still and starring. He was still very latergic in the morning, but at least he was now able to have some sleep and rest. In the evening he got some appetite back, still has a swelling under his chin and is still far away from a playful dog he used to be. I'm afraid of possible side affects in the future... I will never ever vaccine my beloved animals again!


Combination Vaccines
Posted by Gill (Southampton, Uk) on 12/17/2010

Rusty is our 14 year old Labrador/Cross dog who has annually received his booster vaccination. For the past four years we have put his bouts of lassitude down to old age but eventually realized that the weeks of lethargy were a result of the vaccination of Novibac Lepto 2 and Novibac DHPPi. We were devastated to think we'd been making him suffer. Our decision to cease the injections means he will not be accepted in kennels therefore we cannot travel abroad. However Rusty loves the campervan so we enjoy our holidays exploring the UK.


Combination Vaccines
Posted by Sheila (Carver, Massachusetts) on 12/15/2010

My 4 month old female GSD puppy had the rest of her vaccinations last week, started having neurological symptoms yesterday, but all labs are normal. She has not eaten anything unusual, and is having ataxia, not lethargic, eating food, but definately calmer than normal, maybe she is frightened of inability to walk straight?
The vaccinations she received are as follows:11/04/10, Lyme, Lepto, Rabies, Dhhp, no symptoms after those at all. 12/06/10, Lyme, Lepto, DHHP, hasn't had her HW prevention as of yet this month. She was given a total of 3 sets of vaccinations in the last 2 months. I've never had this happen before, maybe a little bit of allergic rxn but with benadryl and prednisone, 1 dose of each, it went away, none with this dog. I'm baffled because nothing else can be found. Please let me know; Rabies vaccine from Fort Dodge.


Combination Vaccines
Posted by Marian (Stratford, Nj) on 12/13/2010

My shih tzu who is 6 years old had his distempter shot on Saturday. I tried to pick him up on Sunday and he yelped in pain and almost bit me which he has never done. He laid in my lap most all day and evening. Today is Monday and he hasn't gotten out of his bed yet. I am concerned about him.



NEXT