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 Peter (77479, Sugar Land) on 02/20/2008

I took my Yorkshire Terrier, Maggie, in to receive a parvo booster shot yesterday. Today she is depressed, lethargic, and is urinating a large amount of blood. She is two years old.

Combination Vaccines
Posted by Laura (Vienna, VA) on 02/21/2008

My 11 week old siberian husky received the 3rd round of the DHPP-C vaccine, after receiving the first two at 6 and 8 weeks respectively. She seemed a little lethargic after, but as that is common I thought nothing of it. A few hours later she had hidden under the deck and was wheezing. As soon as I was able to get her out I called the vet and arranged to bring her back in. It turned out she was having an allergic reaction to some component of the vaccine, and was bleeding into her lungs. Although the doctors at both the regular office as well as the specialty clinic worked with her for about 5 hours, due to the severity of her reaction and the critically low oxygenation levels throughout that time, she did not make it. I am now hesitant to give any of my pets anything more than what I am required to by law, even though I had never thought to question the recommended vs. required vaccines in the past.


Combination Vaccines
Posted by Suzy (Kewanee, IL) on 02/22/2008

I have a 4 year old female Lab who is allergic to just about everything. My vet talked me into giving her all her shots at the sae time this year (bordatella,3-yr rabies booster,DA2LPPC booster). She has had diarrhea for two weeks now. The vet said it must be something I'm feeding her, even though I have her on a strict diet and nothing has changed. She's also having trouble swallowing her food. We have to feed her very small amounts because she gets choked. I will not give her all her shots at the same time again.


Combination Vaccines
Posted by Vicki (Riva, Maryland) on 02/25/2008

My Chihuahua puppy suffered from an extremely bad vaccine reaction during her 3rd puppy series. She had previously had 2 DA2PPv+CV and 1 Bordetella without any problems. On her 3rd series she had a 3rd DA@PPV+CV, 1st LeptoVax4c, and 1st Lyme. I kept her at the hospital with me all day to observe(I'm a vet tech) for reaction(reactions to Lepto seem most common in small breeds). She had a slight skin reaction that evening approx. 5 hours after vaccination and we treated with Diphenhydramine subcutaneously. She quickly improved, seemed fine and I took her home. The next morning she seemed fine upon wakening. About 45 minutes later she jumped up to nap on my lap and I went to give her a kiss on the nose, her entire face was swollen to about 3 times it's normal size. I quickly rushed her to the hospital. She also developed wheezing and hives on the ride over. She was treated with Dexamethasone and again, Diphenhydramine, both subcutaneously immediately. Once the sypmtoms began to recede we followed up with Benadryl liquid by mouth every 4 hrs for the next 24 hours. She was 14 weeks at the time and 5lbs. I have yet to take her for her final series.


Combination Vaccines
Posted by Amy (Miami, Florida) on 03/03/2008

I am devastated. I had a mixed chihuahua toy breed half poodle, half chihuahua, that wouldve been 2 months on the 6th of this month. I have had her since she was 3 weeks old, even weaned her off the bottle. I took her to a vet Saturday morning, and had her first set of puppy shots performed. Shortly thereafter, I started noticing that she was in alot of pain all over, I couldnt even touch her, but they told me to let her rest that she was probably sore. The next morning, she had vomiting and diarrhea. I fed her pedialyte and she did drink some. Around noon, she took her last breath and died in my arms. No one will give me a clear explanation as to what happened. The only thing that the office is telling me is that theyve never had a dog die from vaccinations. My dog was perfectly normal before I took her for her shots, I feel so responsible and I cant get the image of her dying out of my head. Can someone please give me some insight as to what may have happened? Thanks...


Combination Vaccines
Posted by Anonymous (Biloxi, Mississippi) on 03/05/2008

I am in the medical profession; my husband is also. We have an almost 3 year old, 14 pound, rare English cream dachshund. When she was 1 year old, she received all of her vaccines including the rabies and leptospirosis the same day. She was placed in her cage to go home. It took 30 minutes to get there. When I removed her from her cage, I saw that her entire face was severely swollen; her eyes swollen closed. Upon further inspection I saw that she was entirely covered in a red rash. The vets' office had closed. She started vomiting almost continously Soon she began to have respiratory difficulty. I took her to the 24 hr. emergency office where she was given a Benedryl injection, Flagyl, and medications for her other symptons. I took her home and returned the next morning to the vets' office. She still had the same problems, however she was breathing normallly. She was given another Benedryl injection, Benedryl to take by mouth, an injection for vomiting snd was assured that all will be fine. Five days later she was in the same condition. She could not even keep water down. She had lost weight and was really weak. I returned to the 24 hour emergency office. The doctor there said she was still reacting to the vaccine. He gave her a cortisone injection, a cortisone dose pack to take by mouth and continued the Benedryl and nausea medications. He also injected some fluid subcutanously into her abdomen to help her dehydration. Then he told me to never let our vet give her another vaccination without giving a Benedryl injection first. She gradually improved. The next year when it was time for her vaccines, being a medical professional, I decided to start her on childrens liquid benedryl, 25 mgm, every 6 - 8 hours for four or five days prior to her vaccines. Her vet gave her a Benedryl injection prior to the vaccines. He decided not to give her the Leptospirosis vaccine, thinking that might be the culpret. We stayed at the vets' office an hour after the vaccinations. Everything seemed fine. I asked for a Benedryl injection to take home with me and a cortisone dose pack, in case of trouble later. At home when the Benedryl injection began to wear off, she started swelling of the face, eyes and nose. I immediately gave her the Benedryl injection I had brought home with me and started her on the cortisone dose pack. I also gave her hydroxyzine ( Vistaril) liquid, 3/4 teaspoon, to try to prevent the vomiting and the childrens liquid benedryl 25 mgm,every 6 hours throughout that day and night. This time she vomited only once early the next morning. She had a slight rash that went away within a few days. I continued the medications several days for good measure. All was well. January of this year, when her vaccines were due, I started the childrens liquid Benedryl, 25 mgn every 6 hours again for four days before time for the vaccine. I told the vet that I wanted to do the vaccines one at the time to try and determine which vaccine was the problem. He gave her the rabies vaccine after having given her the Benedryl injection. I continued the benedryl liquid by mouth and the nausea medication at home as a precaution, about 2 - 3 days. She seemed o.k. Four days after the rabies vaccination, I came home from church on a Sunday and she immediately began vomiting large pools of blood, pools the size of a salad plate. She did this 7 times within 5 - 10 minutes. I immediately rushed her to the 24 hour emergency office. I was told she had enteric gastro - enteritis. I told them I thought it was caused by the rabies vaccine. The doctor told me that if the dog did the same thing again next year, we would know!! I am not interested in repeating that scenario next year.. When "we" have a patient with an adverse drug reaction, we tell the patient to never take the medication again.

They kept her that night, giving her I.V's and other treatments. When i picked her up the next morning to return her to the vet, I was told that they nearly lost her that night. The vet kept her that day and sent her home with me that night. She still had an I.V. port in her leg in case I.V. meds were needed again. She was returned to the vet the day after that and the port was removed. They gave her carafate to seal the internal bleeding. I started her on a histamine blocker myself to reduce the amount of acid in her stomach. The vet had given her enough carafate, 500 mgm for 8 days. At the end of that time, she was having old blood in her stool so I knew she was still having some bleeding inside. On my own, I continued the carafate and histamine blocker for 7 weeks. Her stool became normal. We went back to the vet today to get a blood count. They were ready to give her another vaccine. I had gotten on the internet and done a lot of research re: the vaccines. I discovered that the rabies vacccine can be good for 1 - 3 years, so I won't be repeating that next year. I also discovered that an antibody titre can be done to determine whether the pet needs a particular vaccine. That is the course I will be taking. If it is not needed, it won't be given. I refused any more vaccines at this time.. I understand that a legal exemption can be obtained for the rabies vaccine. My question is "How do you procede to obtain the exemption to the rabies vacine.?" Our vet does not think the rabies vaccine caused her bleeding. I do. Our doxie is strictly an inside dog, trained to use piddle pads. She is not around other dogs. She cannot be groomed at the grooming salons without the rabies vaccine. I can't cut her toenails. She is long haired and difficult to manage for that. That aside, we really would like to have an exemption to satisfy the law re: rabies vaccines. I don't have the heart to put her through that anymore. Ted or anyone, Can you help?


Combination Vaccines
Posted by Niki (Merced, Ca) on 03/05/2008

Jelli had Bordetella, DHLPP-C booster and Dexamethasone/Depo Medrol injection all in one visit to her vet on 2/25/08. Her appetite is great, her poop is normal, she does drink alot of water, but it's her behavior that has changed. She doen's want to play, or rough house with her pal, PoohBear the kitten. She's grouchy. And looks depressed. I just wonder if this will passs or if it's something else? She is about 5 years old, 13lbs.


Melatonin
Posted by Catroina (Astoria, NY) on 03/05/2008
★★★★★

For those with epileptic dogs,we have found,thank God that going by your dog's weight,melatonin(natural supplement)WORKS esp. IF your pet is prone to night time,early AM seizures--there is a website out here but unfortunately I can't remember their name,had a forum for epople to post questions/responses/their stories etc--what works..
_________
one thing finally dawned on us here--we had 2 wonderful dobies that lived healthy lives till 14-16 years---a VERY loooong lifespan for this breed. They were NOT vaccinated for all these diseases and only received a rabies the year nyc mandated it.
-----------------
investigate
www.watercure2.org
for testimonies both human and pet.
Also,try to purchase the BEST natural /holistic food u can as it definitely makes a differencein your pets' lives....or prepare your own.

Combination Vaccines
Posted by Jackie (Traverse City, MI) on 03/05/2008

My 3 1/2 month old yorkie-poo puppy had her third series of shots two days ago (DA2PLCPV) and began vomiting yellow bile late that night. She was extremely lethargic the next day, and wouldn't eat. We brought her back to the vet and they injected her with Prilosec and gave her a water bolus for fluid. She has not eaten today, and will barely drink any water, resting her little head on the bowl. My vet is not in until tomorrow, and the oncall vet says to just bring her in in the morning. I am afraid that she will die during the night. Please pray for Jolie.


Combination Vaccines
Posted by alicia (burke, virginia) on 03/06/2008

I am wondering if you have had anyone relate any problems with the dog's thyroid after immunizations. My dog has strange thyroid results. His age and the results discount autoimmune thyroid, and that is apparently 90 percent of cases. So, I am investigating what else could cause this. His other bloodwork is normal, and he is totally asymtomatic to the point of having a lot of characteristics opposite of what a thyroid deficient patient would have.


Combination Vaccines
Posted by Shawndesse (NY, NY) on 03/07/2008

My Yorkshire Terrier her her 1st and 2nd combination Puppy shots (Distemper, adenovirus, Type2 Parainfluenza, Parvo Virus)after the first shot she was very shaky and seemed to be in pain and vommitted, after the second shot she was also very shaky (more so than the 1st time) and cried every time I touched her, I called the Vets emergency line and was told that this is a side effect of the vaccination. I was very worried about my puppy and she slept on my chest that night. Since then she has been very happy and playful, however she is due to get her rabies vaccination which I am dreading terribly.


Combination Vaccines
Posted by Michelle (Camden, SC) on 03/09/2008

http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/DODDS-CHG-VACC-PROTOCOLS.HTM
CONTACT DR DODDS WITH YOUR QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS. SHE HELPED ME ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE RAISING MY PUPPIES!
SHE IS AWESOME!!

I have very carefully bred and raised 2 liters of Greater Swiss Mtn Dogs. With all passing health clearances in both parents (hips, elbows, eyes, etc)I did my homework on breeding, feeding, vaccinations, and such. I attended a breeding seminar given at a vet school that also spoke about vaccinations. I learned some disturbing facts. RABIES: the only difference between the 1 yr and 3 yr rabies vaccination is THE LABEL...can you believe that!!?? KENNEL COUGH: does not take effect for several days after it is administered. So, when your vet says it is mandatory for your pet to receive before he can stay the night they are usually long home before it is effective. Also Kennel cough is not life threatning and is easily treated; so why put your pet at risk. The sad thing here is that most vets know this and they do not pass on the information to pet owners, they just keep taking our money, then when health problems arise from the vaccinations...more money for the vet. When I questioned my vet about vaccines he agreed with me, but he would have never given me the information had I never asked...sigh! I take my dogs to several dog shows a year, they have never been given the kennel cough vaccine, and they have never contracted kennel cough.A puppy should never be given a vaccination before they are 9 weeks old, they are still protected by the mothers milk and the vaccinations just cancel out the antibodies. Something else most people don't think about...Did you know that the vaccine dosage for a 5lb dog is the same that is given to an 120lb dog? Scary, isn't it? An old or sick dog should not be vaccinated, it puts too much stress on the immune system. My first liter of puppies will soon be 3 yrs old, they were first vaccinated at 9 weeks old,with DISTEMPER+ PARVOVIRUS MLV (e.g. INTERVET PROGARD PUPPY DPV)
and had their one year boosters, and i don't plan to ever vaccinate them again with the exception of rabies. (it is required by law in my state) But I will avoid the rabies vaccine as long as I can!

I could go on and on about NOT over vaccinating our pets! they are only with us for a very short while, they give us so much joy! let's return the favor!!

***VACCINATION REFERENCE WEBSITE FOR VETERINARIANS

http://www.dvmvac.com/index.html

Lots of great information! I received the link to this web-site at the breeding seminar I attended.

I hope this information is helpful. Be sure to give your pets an extra belly rub today!! :)


Combination Vaccines
Posted by Susann (Clayton, GA) on 03/16/2008

I went to a clinic 4 weeks ago and had my 3 cats given the 3 year rabies and the feline lelukemia shot. All 3 stopped eating the next day and hardly ate for a week. One cat started throwing up a few days later but got better in a week. Then 3 weeks later started throwing up again and I noticed then he also had lost weight. I took him in to the vet and after blood work which indicated a gall bladder infection and he had lost 10 lbs(he was 22 lbs). He was admitted Friday(3/7/08)to the hospital for the weekend. On Sat. the vet called and asked to bring in my food as he wouldn't eat theirs. He had an IV and they had to force feed him. I picked him up on Monday and when I got home and took him out of the carrier he couldn't even walk he was so weak. For several days I gave him 4 medications and had to force feed him and force water in him. On Fri(3/14/08) had to take him back in for blood work but 2 of the vets looked at him and he's gums and skin were yellow indicating liver failure. I then had to say goodbye to my Morgan who was 9 yrs old. The vet said the rabies shot caused a reaction that was 1 in 100,000. Now after reading the posts on this site I feel so guilty for giving him the 3 yr rabies shot and all the pain he went thru. I also have 3 dogs and 2 cats now and I don't think anyone should give the 3 year rabies to any dog or cat. A $15 shot has now costed me over $800 but that is nothing compared to the fact my cat is gone.


Combination Vaccines
Posted by Rebecca (Baltimore, MD) on 03/16/2008

My miniature schnauzer had her first allegic reaction to the PARVO vaccination at the age 9 and it continues to get worse each time. THe first time it happened her lips swelled so much that her beard was up to her eyes and her eyes were swollen shut as big as golf balls and she was panting non-stop. This occurred about 3 hours after the injection - I was giving her liquid children's benadryl while driving in rush hour back to the vet where they gave her two injections and told me to keep her on Benadryl for the next three days. Now when she gets her vaccinations I am supposed to administer benadrul for 2 days beforehand.


Combination Vaccines
Posted by Patricia (Hampton, Va) on 03/18/2008

my 2 year old boston terrier received her shots today . i took her home and left her for about 3 hours, when i returned she was favoring the hind leg where she received the shot. she was wimpering a little when i picked her up, but she was ok once i got her up in my arms. she will not put that leg down on the floor. please tell me if this is normal after shots are given. i dont remember her being this way last year when she got her shots.



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