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 Connie (Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada) on 09/07/2009
I just found this site through a friend and am blown away by the number of reactions pets have had to vaccines. I too went through something. I currently have two cats who got their combo shots every year as recommended by the vet. One year after the shot one of my two cats (a black mix breed) retreated under a desk and stayed there for over a day not eating, drinking or using the litter box. Every time I even came within a few feet of the desk to talk to her she would growl, hiss and lunge out if I got too close. This was very uncharacteristic behaviour. It was the weekend so there was no vet to take her to immediately and resolved to take her on the Monday morning but by the Sunday evening she was sleeping under the desk. She accepted food and water I brought to her there and seemed exhausted. By Monday morning she was up and about and fairly normally though a little quieter and less playful than usual. She was like that for a couple of days before she started playing again. A few months later a friend in Nova Scotia got her black mix breed cat vaccinated and the cat deteriorated in a matter of days and died. Of course she believed it was the vaccines but her vet naturally said no. Since then I only do rabies vaccines every 3 years (much to my vet's chagrin) and have had no problems. I had no idea just how many people have gone through this and seeing all these stories has just validated my decision. Thank you to all who have submitted homeopathic suggestions such as Thuja and charcoal...something I plan to stock my medicine cabinet with me.
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Susan Sackett Oneil (Stoneham, Massachusetts) on 09/06/2009
My pug Richie reacts badly to some shots... My dog had his first three shots at age 1. So weak the next morning I brought him back but it was wearing off. This last Thursday I brought him to the vets as required by state law for his yearly rabies shot injected into his left front quarter. Next day he walked very slowly.that night couldn't walk down the steps without being carried, now so sore he walks gingerly and is miserable.
I am very upset about this, last week at this time he was a lively happy dog.
Its no coincidence that this maybe very unnecessary.He's with me almost 24/7 and does not come into contact with dangerous or germy conditions.Humans are over medicated as well.
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Sharpeipup (Dallas, Ga) on 09/03/2009
My 10wk old puppy got the parvo shot at 10am this morning. He threw up 4 times and would not drink any water. Whenever he would heave he would fall or almost fall over. I tried to hold him up. When he fell he couldn't pick himself back up. When I picked him back up on his feet he tried to jump around and play????????????
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Bobby (Vancouver, Canada) on 09/03/2009
hey april from new orleans, i was just wondering if you could update me on your boston terrier's situation post-booster shot. my boston is 7 and i recently brought her to the vet for annual shots. she was experiencing the same symptoms post-booster shot as your boston. its been almost 2 days and she's still unusually lethargic and sore. her appetite and stools are nearly the same though. im probably gonna bring her to the vet tommorow but would just like some piece of mind that its not life-threatening. thanks.
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Anne (Winter Park, Florida) on 08/31/2009
I took my 6yr. old Lhasa Poo (18 lbs.) for her annual examine and shots on Aug 10, 2009.. She received her 3 yr. rabies and DHLPPC. Her fecal and heart worm were normal. Within a week she started to itch and then vomit the same day. I was giving her Benadryl the first day thinking it was an allergy. Her tummy was very red and her genital area was thee times swollen. The next day still vomiting so I took her to the vet. Mattie received a famotidine injection, benadryl injection, cerenia injection for vomiting and a fluid therapy SQ. She was dehydrated. The next day she was worse. Still very dehydrated and now 4 days without water or food. Back again to the vet. She now had to endure 2 days of IV's. Won't bore you with the list of meds they gave her. But now Mattie has bleeding ulcers!!! They sent me home with 9 days of meds for her. Sucralfate and Metronidazole. I can still hear her little tummy making noises sometimes. Scares me to death because I was told this was the acidity eating away at her causing the ulcers.
I'd like to know if these meds will cure her or is she damaged for life?? How can we let this happen to our pets? I read these shots stay in their systems for 10 years so even if they didn't have a reaction last year, like mine, now we're doubling it all over again! I would like to be a part of any petition to stop these unnecessary shots.
Some people may have already lost their little ones to this because they didn't seek help quick enough or the cost was too high. It has already cost me $535.00. If your dog won't drink and their gums are pale get help immediately.
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Ginger (Bend, Oregon, Usa) on 08/18/2009
My 7 year old chihuahua had her 2nd rabies booster and other shots two months ago. Within two days of the shots, she had a raised warm area about 2" in diameter at the injection area in the middle of her back. She was also lethargic and overly sensitive to touch anywhere on her back. That continued for a week and then began to enlarge to a general swelling to the base of her tail 5" past the injection site. I thought it may be an infection and treated her with antibacterial salve, garlic oil and/or oregano oil for the next month and a half. The swelling went down after 5 weeks, but my dog started loosing hair at the site and a small scab appeared after 7 weeks. I thought we may be dealing with mange, but there is no evidence of mites in hair and skin scrapings. 8 weeks later, she has a hairless patch about 2" in diameter and slightly scabby skin that is peeling with loose hair. At this point, I don't know if antihistamines will work. I don't know what to try. Does anyone have a suggestion for what to do now? Ginger
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Tanna Ramos (Galesburg, Illinois) on 08/07/2009
My vet clinic on losey st. gave my cat smokey a rabies and distemper shot last month and he's not getting better . He can't stand very well ,not eating or drinking ..I have no idea what dose . I will call them on Monday.
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Lucia (Fort Myers, Fl) on 08/07/2009
Serious reaction from rabbies shots
Pfizer-Schering-Plough S610804b rabbies shot chihuahua 5 pounds. Reaction dogs face very swellen @ muszzle, ftting, extreme movements on muscles. This was the second time the doctor knew he was allergic to 3 years vac. Gave me no report. I just found out information about these symptoms could be fatal. March 11 2008. Returned to Vet and he did not tell me anything he did. Dog until today has muscular movents in neck and missing leg (he never had problems in his missing leg).
Had the same problem, more or less 2004 end up on Emergency Room they gave 0.25ml nadexP04/0.4mlPred ACETME/0.1 CIMTIDINE. That is what is writting on the Emergency report, I was not told about that was a serious reaction that could let to death. Was told it was a normal allergic reaction. This vet did not gave me a report, my husband took her to court but was never brought the serious damage to the dog.
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Ashly Mcgardlin (95632, Ca) on 08/05/2009
i dont know if its a for sure side effect or somone hurt my dog but she has a droopy eye and it is very red. She is acting the same, but her eye is just extrememly red. She just had her Parvo vaccines and i dont know if its a reaction. Is it possible if that is the reason of her eye?
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Ann (Wheat Ridge, Co) on 08/02/2009
cat ill after vaccination... my beautiful 6 mo. old female kitty went to the vet for booster shots. she was somewhat sick after her first round of shots 1 1/2 months ago. this time she received a rabies 3 yr. booster and another shot, which was feline leukemia and "FVRCP" second vaccination. 2 shots total. within an hour of getting home she was spitting up a lot. nothing in her stomach, so it was just spit up. then came diarrhea! you could tell she was really sick. that was yesterday, today she's a little better. i am considering not getting any more shots ever for my kitty - i don't know why it makes her so sick, and i don't want to go though it again...
Distemper (Dogs)
Posted by Maystar (Newport News, Va) on 07/31/2009
we believe our dog is suffering from an overdose of distemper. Oscar, a dashound came to us 9/08 at approx 9 mos. We were not able to obtain any previous shot records from previous owner. We took him to a vet and he was healthy. They insisted he get his distemper and parvo shots since we were not able to produce it in writing. May of 09 he received his first DHPP shot for 22.40lbs. We took his new shot record to a new vet because of cost. New vet says he must have more shots since it is not on paper. He received DHLPP Annual Vaccine AND DHLPP Vaccine both the same day each dose for 22.7 lbs. A few days later Oscar appeared to be depressed. He was eating and drinking fine. He refused to jump up or down on the couch. Almost a week later Oscar is unable to use his back legs at all. His paws were dragging behind him and he could not stand on his back legs. We rubbed his back and legs looking for an area of pain, he showed none. We took him back to the vet and they said he slipped a disc and if not better in a few weeks will have to have surgery for a slipped disc. He is now on Metacam Suspension, Tramadol Tablets, Methocarbamol Tablets for pain, muscle relaxer and an inflammatory. My husband and I argued with both vets that he already had the shots and they said he must have them and it must be documented. Oscar is totally confined to his crate except for potty time .It is not known at this point if he will ever walk again. We are searching the web because of the irony of timing. We think it is due to an overdose. Can you help?
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Fyreseer (Madison, AL) on 07/26/2009
Lightning strike. How ridiculous! Just looking here, you can see how many people's pets are adversely affected. The site recommends activated charcoal and Thujo for adverse reactions. I hope that your pup is okay. I would not get the vax for the second dog, if I were you. Especially since they are related! Vaccine sensitivity seems to be somewhat genetic in nature.
Advice for Vaccination Side Effects
Posted by Belle (Whitby, ON. Canada) on 07/22/2009
From what I have read (and I have read quite extensively on this subject) the vets buy the vaccines in pre-measured doses from the pharmaceutical companies. The doses are not properly adjusted for the animal's size and weight, and so your dog may well have been overdosed. Also, more problems arise with time, as the dogs become over-vaccinated with unecessary yearly boosters. I have two purebred shih tzu, aged 3yr... and 6 yr. The older one has developed auto-immune problems (problems seldom seen years ago when few dogs were ever vaccinated). This dog has received its last vaccinations and so has the 3 year old. I would have stopped sooner, but I have pet insurance which always asks the vet on each claim form if the pet's vaccinations are up to date. I have eliminated this condition by cancelling the pet insurance! The money I save on premiums and on unnecessary vaccinations (not covered by insurance) will be better spent on holistic vet care. I will spend my money on titer tests to determine if their level of immunity is sufficient, rather than vaccinate willy-nilly with a backward-thinking vet. There is only ONE holistic vet in my area and she has a long waiting list for patients. Most vets were so heavily indoctrinated at veterinary college and cannot (or will not) break free of their paradigm (framework of thinking) from what they were initially taught. Also, vaccination is a large percentage of their revenue. I like my current vet very much and hate changing to another one, but this vaccination nonsense and her over-reliance on antibiotics (which are not even successful) leaves me no choice but to pursue holistic treatment on my own while I work my way up the waiting list for the holistic vet.
And oh, by the way, in my reading I have found out that there have been a number of "faulty vaccines" not properly prepared by the companies, with tragic results. Get a good book (such as "Vaccine Guide for Dogs and Cats") on this subject at a holistic pet store or try online.
Advice for Vaccination Side Effects
Posted by Laura (Lombard, IL) on 07/19/2009
I work with animals in many ways, grooming~vet tech~rescue....
Please be an informed pet owner and find out what is required BY LAW in your state as to NOT over vaccinate your pet. (and then ask your vet to low dose it)
Over vaccination is a huge health hazard to your pets. There are many holistic vets now if you do some research.
Over vaccination creates a revenue generating pet for the conventional vet and usually leads to life of misery for the poor pet that is suffering a whole bunch of auto immune diseases and seizures,allergies etc....
Take some time and research!! So many pets dying from poor quality food-over vaccination and poor quality water.
All they have is us to depend on don't let them down!
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Jean (Mckinney, Tx) on 07/16/2009
vaccination and IMHA: I have a Shih-zhu and she nearly died after getting excessive amounts of vaccinations from my previous vet. After getting a blood transfusion and multiple immunosuppresant drugs, she's on the road for recovery. I have been informed by my new vet that half of her vaccinations were unnecessary and posed her to the life threatening Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia.
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Patricia (Bethlehem, PE) on 07/16/2009
my dogs and booster vaccinations
I always trusted my vet. two months ago, I brought my year old service dog in because she was behaving oddly, more aggressive and edgy. I thought vets were supposed to help animals. I thought vets cared more about the animal than the money. I was wrong. my dog died because of them. Then they wanted to put my other six month old smoothe collie to sleep because she was my service dog's half sister. I grabbed my dog and brought her to another vet. One who had a heart. I trusted and let them vaccinate and medicate my autumn, thinking it would help her be healthier. I checked state regulations. Only the rabies shot booster is required. I sit here without my service dog autumn.
I have a new service dog- a german shepherd.
I will stand at his defense and not trust just any vet anymore.
he will only receive the rabies booster after this, his first year.
Please protect your animals and give them a chance.
I should have learned. ten years ago, my toy poodle went into cardiac arrest from year end boosters.
why didn't I listen? Autumn, I am listening now. too late for Autumn, but not too late for all the others that will come.
this is from my heart. I am a cancer patient with many side affets from the treatment. I need and want my service dog.
Please protect your animals and become infomed and dont go to your vet's ofice blind.
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Gia (Albuquerque, NM) on 07/14/2009
My two-year old, 8 pound pomeranian-chihuahua cross was given the standard DT4PPV (or whatever it is called) and rabies vaccines yesterday and she is now totally lethargic. She was fine until this evening. She hasn't eaten for at least 8 hours, has not been outside, and has spent most of the last 8 hours under the bed, which is a rarity. She also has excessive eye discharge and her breathing seems a bit labored and her heart rate is higher than normal. We are watching her closely and will take her to an emergency vet if anything changes. She did have about 2 ounces of water a while ago and perked up for a few minutes. I hope this helps. Mandatory vaccines are ridiculous. I will never have her vaccinated again. I would rather keep her away from other animals than put her through this again.
