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 Melody (Emu Plains, Nsw 2750 Australia) on 11/20/2009
We have had a maltese dog for many years. She is about 12 and recently had her yearly vaccinations (the first 5 types they normally give). About an hour after having them she threw up and was very lethargic for the rest of the day. Normally she is a very attentive dog but she became listless. Thankfully the side effects only lasted a day or two.
Her sister had also been vaccinated but had been given the new three yearly vaccination and a nasal delivered vaccination and did not display any side effects.
Distemper (Dogs)
Posted by Scott (Sacramento) on 08/06/2016
If you begin to check into vaccines for dogs you will find that regardless of the dogs size, Vets give the same dose of vaccine for every animal, if it's 5 pounds or 100 pounds. That is enough to make me begin looking for a holistic Vet that has a clue. My dog is currently sick from a vaccine and it has been a week without eating and listless, just lying there and not responding and I am praying she recovers, but that is far from certain at this point. My condolences. Question Authority, all of them.
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Cynthia (Lutz, Fl) on 10/31/2009
On 8/15/09 my male neutered cat was vaccinated with FVRCP and FeLV. Within a few days he developed a hard lump at the injection site.
On 10/12/09 he was injected with the 2nd dose of these two vaccines, he was listless for the remainder of that day, but resumed normal activities on 10/13 and 10/14. But on 10/15 he was in very bad shape, completely inactive and refused to eat or drink. On 10/16 he continued to lay in one place and would not eat or drink. I took him to the vet on 10/17 at which time he was placed in intensive care for 2 1/2 days. The vet is not certain that he reacted to the vaccine or some other source of infectio, and suggested that we may not vaccinate him next year.
Previously I had a Scottish Terrier that developed cancer around the age of 10 years, and passed away at 11 years. The vet mentioned that annual vaccines may be contributing to the occurance of cancer in animals.
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Janet (Camas, Wa) on 10/28/2009
My 4 1/2 month old french bull do had her DHLP/P-C3 vaccination. The next day she walked a little funny-her hind end seemed to over wiggle. Within a week she has only partial use of her back legs with the left being the worse. The vet has no idea or at least has not returned calls regarding any information they may have found. Bottom line she still is eating drinking, peeing and pooping like a regular puppy. She is bright and alert but her walking abilities are worsening. What shall I do? Is this normal or can this be from the vaccination? Will she recover and what can I do?
Distemper (Dogs)
Posted by Kristina (Norwich, Ct Usa) on 10/28/2009
distemper reaction
I brought my 10 week old boxer in for his first distemper vaccination. All seemed fine, 2 days after he got the shot, my energetic puppy was unable to stand. The next day that the vet was open we brought him in and began testing him for lyme disease. It seemed very unlikely that he had lyme due to the limited exposure to the outdoors. We proceeded to give the puppy amox. and an anti-inflamatory med because the puppies joints were swollen. two days later the puppy is running around as if nothing ever happened. In between, we had x-rays and a full panel of blood work. We've come to our own decision that the vaccine was to blame. Now he is need of two more rounds of this shot and we are afraid to give it to him
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Laurie (Felton, Pa) on 10/28/2009
I lost a kitten today. He appeared to be completely healthy and then received his 3 way distemper, Calici, Rhinitracheitis vaccine- stopped eating- started gagging up any food I put in his mouth, had labored breathing, and died. Within 3 days. Beautiful soon to be show cat- an Ocicat. I had modified what vaccines they get as I lost one last year also. Even had a necropsy done and it showed a healthy cat- whose organs shut down after his vaccine.
I read an article online saying it is common for this to happen as we inject 3 live viruses at once into a tiny body and they have to be able to fight them of. The article said the killed vaccine is more harmful and suggested the 3 components be broken down into single vaccines.
As for people- they can do all of the skewed studies they want- but we know our autistic son had vaccine issues. The flu vaccine was especially devasttating for him- to the place where we had to stop it.
I know they are a necessary eveil- but very scarey to me.
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Kathy (Sturgeon Lake, Mn) on 10/25/2009
Vaccination Side Effects
We had a Golden Retriever who ended up with kidney and liver disease after she was vaccinated and died a year later. We gave her all the recommended puppy shots but did not have her regularly vaccinated because we didn't believe it was necessary. When she was 6 we brought her in and had her vaccinated for Rabies, Lymes & distemper. A month later we brought her in to have a lump removed and they tested her blood and found the problems. She was so sick we had to put her down less than a year later. She was perfectly healthy before those immunizations and I am convinced that is what killed her.
Combination Vaccines
Posted by William (Lexington, Ky) on 04/14/2010
First I am sorry to hear of your loss. However, everyone likes to think their dog is healthy before something goes wrong. Did they biopsy the lump or get a diagnosis on what it was? A 6 year old golden retriever could have numerous problems that you don't know unless previously checked. The kidney problems obviously were asymptomatic and you still would have never known without the blood work until it was too late. It could have been there even before it was vaccinated. So it would be a BIG assumption to claim the cause was the vaccinations. We all understand that vaccinations can cause reactions, but it is a rarity and isn't enough reason not to get annual vaccinations. Without vaccinations, imagine the havoc infectious diseases would play in our pets lives.
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Dlupton (San Diego, Ca) on 10/20/2009
vaccination reaction
Our dog was impounded and given a rabies and dhpp-bdin, without our consent. Since then he has lost weight and continuing too, diarrhea and vomiting (this has stopped) and is now refusing food. We don't have the money to take him to a vet.
Benadryl
Posted by Rheeson (Sebring, Fl) on 10/13/2009
★★★★★
We adopted a 6 week old chihuahua, Max(his mom is a rescued miniature chihuahua, father is not known). Max weighs about 2 pounds. His first vaccination was given between 6 and 7 weeks. A friend gave him the 7 in 1 vaccine. After about 4 hours, I noticed swelling on Max's whole neck, and it was very tender (no swelling around his throat). Called a friend who works with a vet, she said to give him children's Diphenhydramine, but wasn't sure of the dosage. I gave Max 1/2 ml of liquid Diphenhydramine, (Children's Benadryl) repeated the 1/2 ml dose 3 hours later. I gave him another 1/2 ml dose 4 hours after the 2nd dose. By this time the swelling had gone down some, he seemed to feel better, but I just wanted to be sure he was going to be ok. By morning, the swelling was gone, he still has a little bump where the injection was done, but other than that, he seems fine.
Distemper (Dogs)
Posted by Kim (Flint, Michigan) on 10/10/2009
Both of my boxer dogs have had reactions to distemper shots
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Christina (Dallas, Tx) on 10/08/2009
thank you for your posts, my dog just got one and he has been moping around, lethargic and not his usual self. He is usually very hyper, but now he is the opposite. hope he is ok. we didn't even get the option to wait and try something else. please let him be alright. thank you.
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Lilly (Winthrop, Maine) on 10/07/2009
Reaction to Lyme Disease Vaccination
My three year old Pomeranian received a Lyme vaccine on April 4, 2009. I lost her three weeks ago; she was only 3-1/2. On the night she received the vaccine, she began to flop to the side and couldn't find her food dish - it was the saddest thing I'd ever seen. She couldn't control herself, she would walk in circles. We took her to a neurologist the following Monday and the final diagnosis was enchephylitis/menengitis. There was necrosis in her brain like something had triggered an autoimmune reaction. Although, no one will say or admit that the Lyme vaccine may have been the cause due to an allergic reaction, I really have to wonder! We knew this was a terminal illness, but what triggered it? We were able to keep her for only five months following, but she was constantly on meds to fight back the autoimmune disease. I will definitely not allow the Lyme vaccine to be given to her sister who is still healthy and providing much joy in my life. This was such a devastating experience for us and her sister.
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Tammy (Reno, Nevada) on 10/04/2009
I took my lil puppy in for vaccine she is about 9 weeks old . She is vomiting and sleeping alot I am very worried about her. Hopeing I can update with a possitive note later praying she is ok..
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Shannon (Sylvan Lake, Alberta) on 10/02/2009
My 4 year old cat was vaccinated yesterday and has become very ill. He received his rabies and leukemia shots and within 2 hours was unable to walk straight, almost as if he were intoxicated. His eyes were dilated funny and looked as if they were only half open. He lost control of his bowels on the floor and has been sleeping continuously. He has never exhibited any of these behaviors before and I am certain they are caused by the vaccinations. He seems to have great discomfort when I move him and he cries like he is miserable. I hate this! I'm going to search for other solutions to remedy these side effects and find an alternative to vaccinations for my pets. Putting my sweet cat through this seems very inhumane!
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Cheryl (El Mirage, Az.) on 12/08/2011
My dog last year was due for his 3 year shot and because I was a month and 1/2 late the vet said you will have to come back in a year on time and get it again. So I did like she said to days after the rabies shot he got bloody lumps around his eyes and lumps and discoloration on his nose. It won't go away they gave him steroids but when he goes off of them it returns. They said we think he has isomatic demiphaphy. One doc at petsmart banif White says it probably from the shot the other Elliot is say we dont' know that and wanted me to take a 300 dollar test, and writes on the paper I denied the test. They know darn well it's just what they said. I'm angry. I took in a beautiful healthy, expensive, my baby Italian Greyhound who now will have to see the vet every month and it will be costly for me, and he doesn't feel good. I want to know who's responsible. The rabies shot was a pfizer. I want their phone number to let them know. I want to know if I can file a case against them and make them pay my dogs bills.
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Kristen (Lantana, Florida) on 10/02/2009
My cat Pinot, 1.5. years old, had his immunizations yesterday and has been tired, lethargic and sore for 24 hours. I am quite surprised and disturbed by this as the vet never mentioned any weird side effects like this. Pinot had 3 shots: Rabies (3 yr), FVRCP, and Leukemia. I am not sure if the reaction was because he had all 3 at once or what. Any feedback is appreciated.
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Amanda (Troy, Ny) on 10/25/2009
It is not uncommon for animals, like humans, to have a slight inflammatory reaction to vaccines. This can cause low-grade fevers, decreased appetite, and lethargy. Your vet SHOULD always warn you of these side effects. My cat had a reaction like this a couple years ago after she recieved her FVRCP and rabies vaccine. Since that time my husband and I have done a lot of vaccine related research. We have come to learn that although most vets will not tell you so, you should in fact NEVER give more than 1 vaccine at a time-especially to small animals. Many vets will do multiple vaccines at once because it is easier, and insures that the animal will receive the vaccines they are due for since not all pet owners are responsible enough to come back multiple times just for a shot. However, my belief is that it is worth it to make an extra trip or 2 (each at least 2 weeks apart from one another) to decrease my pets risk of having vaccine related reactions.
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Tina (Weatherford, Tx) on 09/26/2009
My puppy's reaction to Rabi shot
My 4 lb. Chihuahua puppy got a sore bump where she receive her first 16-week Rabi shot. Is this normal? Thank you.
