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 Susan (Toronto, Canada) on 09/06/2008
Our 3-year-old dog was vaccinated a week ago (rabies, distemper booster, leptospirosis, parvo, adenovirus type 2, parainfluenz). She was fine for about 6 days then we noticed that she was shaking her head as if her left ear was bothering her. She also began throwing up. I took her back to the vet who did examined her ears (no visable problem) and took blood for a series of tests. We're waiting for results. She is still vomitting and also has diahrrea. Things aren't looking good.
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Elaine (Jacksonville, Florida) on 08/31/2008
I faithfully took my minature schnauzer in for yearly shots. I wanted the best for him so I had all the vaccinations they offered. When he was 10 years old and I took him in for the shots I noticed he was in pain right after and did not bounce back from the shots. In four months the Vet said he had Lymphnoma which is accelerated by vaccinations.
After 2 or 3 years of age, I would not get the shots for my dogs, there is proof that vaccinations are not needed every year. Only rabies is required by law. I took my other schnauzer into the vet last week and he still wants to shower my dog with shots. I think it is a money game. I did not get them. I am going to find a homeopathic vet. Losing a pet to cancer or anything that is so pointless fills you with guilt that is slow to go away. A year has passed and I still want him back.
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Pam (Smithfield, RI) on 08/30/2008
I just brought my yorshire terrier sho is ten years old in for her shots. Now a lump has formed at the injection sight on the back of her neck.I was told to watch it for it to go down, if it does not it will result in a return visit for a biopsy! If she has cancer becasue of a shot--was it worth it?? NO!! Not to me!! She is an indoor dog-why do I have to put my beloved pets life at risk for something so almost impossible for her to get.
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Christina (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) on 08/28/2008
Hello, I am writing this comment in hopes that it may help or inform other dog owners of the serious and potentially deadly risks of some vaccines. In Aug.2006 I took my then 2 year old mini schnauzer to my vet to get her vaccines. The vet gave her the rabies vaccine, along with bordetella and distemper vaccines. My dog had her first rabies vaccine when she was 1, which was good for one year. Now I was taking her in for her second rabies vaccine, which would be good for 3 years. I would also like to note I had another dog (Irish Setter) who was given the same vaccines at this visit and was perfectly fine afterward. After my mini schnauzer was given the vaccines, within minutes, she experienced a serious reaction, and went into shock. She collapsed on the floor on the way out of the door at the vet, her eyes were stairing off into space. She pooped as she was laying there and her face was very swollen. I grabbed her and ran back into the vet, they took her to the back where it took almost 3 hours to regain her vital signs. I had no idea something so serious could happen just from vaccinations. It cost me an additional $200 on top of the original visit to save my dogs life, but of course money didn't matter at that moment. They inserted a catheter, gave her fluids, and several injections. For a while they weren't even sure she was going to make it and wouldn't let me see her. She did recover, but now I'm afraid of vaccinating her again. The vet said we can give her antihistamine before we vaccinate but it is not guaranteed an even worse reaction may occur. I have since then done some research on canine vaccinations, and my best info for dog owners is to just be there when your dog is getting these vaccines, and know the warning signs and symptoms. Because really there was no way of me or my vet knowing such a reaction would take place.
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Linda (Oklahoma City, OK) on 08/18/2008
Took our Golden Retriever for rabies 8/3/08 and she was fine. Took her for lyme, Bordetella, and DPC vaccinations 8/15/08 and by the time she got home she wasn't using one of her back legs and has just been lying around and hasn't eaten much. Talked to vet today 8/18/08 and they said to give her buffered aspirin and if she isn't feeling better tomorrow to bring her in. I have never had one of my dogs have a reaction from their shots and until I started researching yesterday I never knew they could have side effects like this.
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Crostu (Beverly Hills, California) on 08/16/2008
FYI
I can't offer a whole lot of knowledge or specifics here, but I can tell you what I observed. I took my 9 week old kitten in for a fcrvp (fvcrp)?? anyway the one that they give all kittens. No leukemia shot or any other shots or treatments were done that day. The kitten got real still and quiet, more so than I thought normal. Then the kitten just layed on his side. So I went to pick him up to comfort him. He meowed in much pain. I put him back down. I touched very lightly all over his body. He hurt from head to toe, as I could tell by his high pitched screams and painful look on his eye. There were no other symptoms. it lasted for about 36 hours. Of course I called the vet. They said that this is a somewhat rare side effect, but he should be fine. He was fine after that. I had taken about 15 cats to the vet for shots at that time, and had never had that reaction. Just thought I would tell you my experience.
EC: FCVRP = rabies and distemper combination shots.
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Dvikib (Baltimore, MD) on 12/08/2008
Please note that the FVRCP shot is for feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia. The Rabies shot is normally a separate shot.
Seizures
Posted by Cristina (Bucharest, Romania) on 08/16/2008
I have an eight year old French Bulldog. Last year I took him to the vet for his annual rabies shot and DHPP booster. Over the years I noticed he didn't feel too well the first few days after his shots, but it always passed. Last year, the day of the shot he was completely lethargic, and that night he had his first seizure. I told the vet, and since it started out with my dog crying, and it lasted for one minute at most, the vet said he must have had a nightmare. He kept having a seizure every night for the following month. I knew they were seizures when he couldn't control his bladder during these brief moments. Since he only had a minute long seizure a night, we didn't put him on any medication. After a month the seizures started coming further apart, every 2, 3 nights, and not every single night. After a year they were down to one every 2 months or so. Since his last shot his hind legs have also grown weaker. He used to be able to jump all over and run. He can't even climb stairs any more. And this doesn't seem to be getting any better. I only hope that by not giving him any more shots it won't get any worse. Vets in Romania still insist on giving shots every year. Some even advise pet owners to come in earlier, so the shot's effect does not expire and leave the dog unprotected. Since no laws are being issued to protect pets, I only hope that more dog owners start doing research on their own and start acting in the best interest of their furry friends.
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Joyce (Staten Island, NY) on 08/14/2008
My cat, bootsie, had his rabies and booster shot a week ago, on monday, and he is very sick, the vet is giving him fluids, antibiotics, and vitimins, and force feeding him, I have him back almost every day...I asked them to take a blood test on him, and they are charging me $145.00. They are getting anoyed at me because I keep bringing him back...He is eating with my encouragement,,,,am so stressed out.
joyce
Bordetella
Posted by Tammy (Livermore, CA) on 08/12/2008
I just took my 10 year old Chihuahua to the vet for a check-up last week. I was also talked into the Bordetella nasal spray vaccine. I specifically asked if there were any possible adverse side effects and was told there were not. Since then my dog has been sneezing, reverse sneezing and I think he had a seizure of some type on Saturday where his whole body stiffened up and he could stand on his own for about 5 minutes. He kept trying to get his paws up to his face. I am very angry that I was not told about possible side effects when I asked.
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Kati Morlando (Raleigh, North Carolina) on 08/07/2008
My cat Jesse got a distemper shot and a rabies shot on Saturday the 2nd of august.H e is eating and drinking fine, he used to go outside practically all day, but now all he is does is lay around the house and sleep and he has been in the house for five days now.
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Jen (El Paso, Texas, USA) on 08/07/2008
In July of 2000 my 11 year old Belgian Tervuren, was diagnosed with spindle cell carcinoma. She had developed 2 egg-sized lumps in the area of her shoulders. I consulted with a Specialty Veterinary Clinic in Tucson Arizona, and I was told it was Vaccine Induced Cancer. She died December 1, 2000. She underwent 3 surgeries to remove the tumors, but each time it came back more aggressively.
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Susan (Indianapolis, Indiana) on 08/06/2008
After my 1 yr. old Sheltie received a 5 in 1 vac (before I knew better) he had a couple of weeks of what I now know was episodes of "reverse sneezing." He would put his head down and then have a minute or so of intense snorting - don't know how to describe it any other way. It was scary watching him have these attacks and each time I wondered if he would come out of it.I was told that the trachea actually collapses sometimes. He has not had any more vacs in the last few years nor anymore bouts with this vaccine reaction, thank goodness. We won't be doing any more vaccines! Sue
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Dan (Salisbury nb Canada, Canada) on 08/05/2008
Dog died: Took dog in for yearly shots Continuum DAP and Imrab 3 He ate and drank very little and he had to be put down .He was a toy poodle Full of life when i took him in he never recovered
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Melissa (OKC, OK) on 07/29/2008
We boarded our 11 year old female Husky at our neighborhood vet we have used for 20 something years. They said she was too large for a cage and she would have to be put in the dog run. That we could bring her bed also since she had a car accident as a young pup and broke her hip. They would not keep her until her shots were brought up to date as she had not had any from a Vet since she was 3. I used to give her booster, but they don't recognize them! We left town for two nights so I don't know what her reaction was initally, although I called the 2nd night and they told me she wet her bed (which she has never done) and did not like their food. She has been urinating on herself ever since (one month now). She won't eat unless I hand feed her meat, tiny amounts and hold her water bowl under her nose.She just lies there like she is 100 years old. I called two other vets and they all say it is not the Vaccines! That she is 11 yrs old, spayed, that her bladder could have dropped and may be incontinent. She has always been an indoor dog she goes outside, does her business and comes right back in. So there was no reason to vaccinate her yearly. Thinking back now to when she was spayed and they gave her vaccines then; she was very ill afterward. I took her back several times, they gave her antibiodics, etc. I really feel she is going to expire this time and it was all so unnecessary.
EC: Melissa, please research the Tellington Touch techniques. They are massage techniques that can produce remarkable results.
Combination Vaccines
Posted by Emmitt (Lakelnd, Florida) on 07/26/2008
I got my 16 week old cat that weighs 4.4 lbs his immunizations yesterday. Now he is having the same symptoms. Lethargic, Meows and bites when picked up and doesn't eat or drink. He got the rabies ahot and fel leukemia and Ercp (whatever that is) hope he will be his old self soon!!
