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 Kerryn (Adelaide, Australia) on 01/07/2008

I got my 8wk old kitten vaccinated yesterday (F3 Vac - Fort Dodge, FIV - Fort Dodge and Milbemax Allwormer). Before we had him vaccianted he was energetic, very affectionate and alert. Once we got home from the vet he went really quiet. Today he won't even let me pick him up without meowing, as if he is in pain. He never meowed before!! He can hardly open his eyes and looks very sick and lifeless. We are so worried about him. Since he had his shots he is a different, sick little kitten. We were only getting him vaccinated to protect him, but it has harmed him instead.. I feel terrible and wish we never took him there.


Combination Vaccines
Posted by Bridgett (Westchester, New York) on 01/05/2008

I have no remdedy to write about but I do have a horrible story about vaccines. I took my 4mth old full breed Maltese to get his Booster and Leptospiros vaccinations today and approximately 30 mins after leaving the vet his face, ears and mouth swell up so bad that I didn't even recognize my poor pooch. Upon taking him back, the doctor requested that I leave him for about 2 hours for observation and further meds to counteract the reaction. My puppy is home now but he is very lathargic and extremely moody and everytime I pick him up he yelps. Is this a normal occurence from the type of vaccines that was administered?


Combination Vaccines
Posted by charlotte (corpus christi , texas) on 01/04/2008

I have no remedy . My 2 yr old boston terrier had his 8in1 shots and now has a knot under his skin on the site . I want to know if I should be concerned about it and if it is normal for him to be a little tired this was 2 weeks ago when he got his shot. please help me . thank you


Combination Vaccines
Posted by Mary (Henryetta, Oklahoma) on 12/27/2007

re: DHLPP Booster -- My 2 yr old Chihuahua went in for his booster and rabies shot today. Since he left his one eyes is completely shut and has "sleepy" like pus coming out. He is all tired and very lethargic which is very UNNATURAL. Did anyone else have the problem????


Combination Vaccines
Posted by Tish (Temecula, CA) on 12/14/2007

i took my 4 month old female australian shepherd puppy in for her 3rd and last booster shot (borbetella, canine distemper-hlp-parvo & rabies) she was fine and energetic all day after the shot, but the next morning she seems very tired and does not want to run, and play like usual.the vet said that she could be sore & listless after the shot. I am keeping a close eye on her, now that I found more info about severe side effects with vaccinations on your site.


Combination Vaccines
Posted by Irma (Windham, CT) on 12/11/2007

My dog was 11 years old when she was over vaccinated by a military vet tech because he was mad that day. A few months later was DX with hemangiosarcoma (cancer). This type of cancer is not found in her breed and I continue to think that it was the vaccines that caused it because I have read that sarcomas cancers are caused by over vaccinating. It has been the worst exprience of my life but I do consider my self fortunate that she is still living. This type of cancer is deadly and I have read that the prognosis is only a few months. Shata has lived 8 months since her DX.If you have an older pet talk to your vet about legally exempting your pet from vaccinations. It can be done.


Combination Vaccines
Posted by nikki (yuma, arizona) on 12/08/2007

My puppy is dead from the depo/corona shot. We gave our 6 week old puppy the 7 way shot and about three hours later the puppy was found out side dead lying in a pool of blood. It was coming out his nose and mouth. The puppy looked as he had been sezioring because the blood was all over in spots as if it had been moving. The puppy will be very missed and I will never give a shot again. Needless to say my cat was just diagnosed with leukemia a month ago an was put to sleep. My other cat was inside cat. The vet said after 15 minutes the virus dies if not o the animal. So, I cleaned everything the other cats shared and got the other cat her shots finding out the shot was worthless per the lawsuit being done by a lawyer. look up lawsuits on the internet.... has any one had a dog bleed out like this?


Combination Vaccines
Posted by Ranee (Vancouver, Washigton) on 11/27/2007

I took my 6month old male cat to the human society and got his first vaccination he was perfectly fine afterwards but now its been about 2 weeks and he is having problems, he keeps coughing and doesn't want me to touch him when he does cough im not sure whats wrong and i need some advice.


Combination Vaccines
Posted by Pauline (Citrus Heights, California) on 11/25/2007

I have been active in dogs for well over 30 years. In that time, I had a chow that I gave shots regularly every year. When she reach 7 years of age, she went in to shock, from a DHLPP, that I gave her. I almost lost her!! After a rush to the vets, and a nice vet bill. Vicki did recover. The vet told me that she had a severe alergic reaction to the shot, and should never use the L in the DHLPP. This was 20 years ago. I NOW, only give DHPP and only until the dog reaches 1 year of age. After that, NO MORE SHOTS. I do have to give the rabies. But, if it wasn't manditory in my area, I wouldn't do rabies ether.


Combination Vaccines
Posted by Kathy (Knoxville, TN) on 11/23/2007

I have a 4 yr old shih-tzu. He was just given a dental vacination in a 2 part series. The first shot made him very sore. Now the second vacination was given 3 weeks later for the second series and has developed a large knot on this area. He also had the same reaction when he was a puppy and was given his first set of shots. Do you have any answers to what it might be??


Combination Vaccines
Posted by H (W-Ville, SC) on 11/21/2007

My eight year old Shih-Tzu received her rabbies vaccine on Friday. She had diarrhea several hours later, then followed by vomiting for the next day. She continues to shake and refuses to eat. She did the same last year. It was insisted upon last year that it couldn't have been the vaccine! Her vet has given her Homeopathic Drops to take.


Combination Vaccines
Posted by Jane (Berkeley Springs, WV) on 11/18/2007

I see tons of vaccine reactions in pets, it's a big part of my veterinary practice. I've seen it as long as 12 weeks after a vaccination. Usually it can be cured with the correct homeopathic remedy. Often it's just skin eruptions but I have also seen deeper symtpoms, including g-i disturbances, behavior problems and epilepsy.


Combination Vaccines
Posted by Wysteria (Shady Side, Maryland) on 11/14/2007

My reactions were more subtle in my dogs. My cats haven't been vaccinated much but hindsight shows hyperactivity with the one and kitty "ADD." Not a technical term I know but I really can't figure out what else to call it, reactions are all behavioral with the one cat.

2.5 y/o Australian Shepherd Spayed Female - hyperactive and distracted through most of puppyhood (did all core vaccines recommended by veterinarian). After her booster of DHPP (Pfizer) at a little over 2 she started having skin problems. Treated homeopatically (still treating) but finally starting to win over.

2.5 y/o Australian Shepherd Altered Male - Horrible anxiety (rescue dog got all vaccines at kennel rescued from). Treating anxiety homeopathically. After two year DHPP booster changes in eyes were noted developed a dark spot in only one eye, always had clear eyes previously. Skin issues showed up a little later 3-5 weeks post vaccine.

I haven't had any horrible experiences so far (knock on wood) but have noticed mild stuff. I will not be vaccinating from here on out and my pets are young so I am crossing my fingers.


Combination Vaccines
Posted by THERESA (tulsa, oklahoma) on 11/07/2007

I just had my 4 year old lab vaccinated with the rabbies & (8) yearly. He's never had a rabbies shot. I lived in Wagoner County & I gave him his last shots in March, but due to moving to Tulsa County he had to have them with a Vet to be registered with the City Ord. He was on an Antibotic. About 12 hours later he was throwing up. They said it was okay to give him the shots. Would it make him sick with to much medicine?


Combination Vaccines
Posted by Michelle (Los Angeles, Ca) on 11/07/2007

re: Allergic Reaction to Leptospirosis? Early today My 4 month old maltese got his shots, the vet told me my dog would be sleepy which right away after getting the shots he was very sleepy..When I got home he was still sleeping and he woke up finally and when I saw him I noticed his face was swollen.A little while later I started to look longer at my dog because it was unlike him to not let me touch him because his body was sensitive so I picked him up and noticed that not only was his face swollen but his whole body was swollen(looks like big blisters) and his body is hardening.I began to call animal hospitals and did some research and discovered that the Leptospirosis is not recommended for 14, 16 week olds. I'm giving my dog plenty of water and fever medicene and the swelling seems to be going down.. Hoping that he will pee it out. Tomarrow I will go to the vet and inform them of their stupidity!



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