Vaccination Side Effects in Pets
Please let us know any side effects you have witnessed after your pet's vaccination or booster shot.' We'd like to know the name of the breed of your pet and also which vaccinations he or she received. Once we gather more information around this subject, we can assess whether booster shots are responsible for causing deadly complications in certain breeds of dogs and cats.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT RABIES VACCINATION SIDE EFFECTS
05/25/2008: Ann from Worcester, Ma writes: "You don't have to give rabies vaccinations. If your pet gets any reaction to vaccines or any health problems all you need to do is to see holistic vet to give you a form that this animal can not be revaccinated."
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ADVICE FOR VACCINATION SIDE EFFECTS
07/26/2008: Sherry from Marquette , MI writes: "The Nature of Animal Healing by Martin Goldstein DVM is an excellent source regarding the dangers of vaccines. I too had a cat experience an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) with the Feline Leukemia vaccine. She lived since prompt medical care was possible. However, last week, I tried to save a 3 month old kitten (feral) with a temperature of 106, diarrhea and vomiting. Homeopathics were attempted as well as antibiotics and Sub-Q fluids. We lost her. Two vets believed it was from feline distemper. Goldstein in his work does recommend one feline distemper injection for kittens for lifetime immunity. However, vaccines are over done, and there is evidence that the leukemia one does not have a good success rate (check the internet). It is a difficult decision whether to vaccinate or not, but less I feel is better. Rabbies should not be given as a combo is what I have read in different sources. The rabbies vaccine should also be given at a different time then the other vaccinations.
Thuja homeopathic is supposed to help the ill effects of vaccines. It is non toxic. It can be taken with antibiotics and other medications. It won't interfer with western medicine. To administer, dilute a pellet or tablet of 30c in water and apply a dropperful to the mucous membranes of the mouth, drop by drop. For the medication to be effective, it needs to be administered in this format. The pill or tablet can not be given by having the animal swallow it whole. Doing so, would yield no results. It needs to be diluted in water only and administered two times a day for two-three days. There is no taste to the mixture, so animals accept it well. I have had experience with cats in a shelter using homeopathics and have seen respiratory infections resolve quickly. I have used it on my own cats for asthma and infections with excellent results. But finding the correct homeopathic to turn around a major disease such as feline distemper can be very difficult, if not almost impossible. I say "almost" hesitantly because I still do believe there was a homeopathic that could have turned the kitten around, but I didn't have it in my cabinet. This is where vaccines can assist in prevention. Therefore, a feline distemper vaccine administered to a kitten may be warranted for, according to Goldstein, it seems to offer lifetime immunity. Once again, I do believe that vaccines are administered in too high combo's which can be dangerous. Moderation is always the best course of action. Hope this helps.
The above information is offered for education purposes only and a vet should be consulted when a course of action is desired."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 07/18/2008: Stephanie from Queensbury, NY writes: "My dog received the intra-nasal vaccine for bordatella on Feb. 28, 2008 the next day she started to cough almost asmatic, a runny nose so full of mucous, constantly running also very tired out. She's only 3 yrs. old .Over the next few months she has been scoped, x-rayed, nebulized,and been on three different antibiotics,$1,000.00 later to no avail.The vet chalked it up to an allergy. At which I called Schering-plough the company which makes this vaccine. The vet there said to take her back and they would pay for a battery of tests to see if the Bordatella was responsible. Of course after waiting 3 weeks for results they said Bordatella didn't show up. My dog was a healthy energy filled dog until this. Now she's very lathargic and sleeps alot. I will not vaccinate my dog again I will go all natural. To see her so sick and uncomfortable and shortness of breath breaks my heart and angers me to know the vets continue to over vaccinate."
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OTHER TYPES OF MEDICATION SIDE EFFECTS
[SIDE EFFECTS] 06/13/2008: Rick from Hunington Beach , Ca writes: "Cortizone shot: I had 12 year old Lab in healthy condition.Within two weeks he begin vomiting became lethargic.Took him to the vet died two days later.dont know if the cortizone shot weakened his resistance or not.Vet said he died of a bacteria that went toxic."
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01/26/2008: Kris (ledgespring@lincoln.midcoast.com) from The Rabies Challenge Fund, www.RabiesChallengeFund writes: "My name is Kris Christine and my precious 6 year old yellow labrador retriever, Meadow, developed a malignant mast cell tumor directly on the site of his rabies shot 3 months after vaccination. After a long battle, he recently died when the cancer metasticized throughout his body.
In order to prevent dogs from being required by law to be redundantly vaccinated against rabies (1992 French challenge studies demonstrated a 5 year minimum duration of immunity and Dr. Ronald Schultz's serological studies from the University of Wisconsin proved 7 year minimum duration of immunity), I founded The Rabies Challenge Fund along with Dr. W. Jean Dodds.
Concurrent 5 and 7 year challenge studies, being conducted according to USDA vaccine licensing standards by Dr. Ronald Schultz, began at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine in November 2007. Veterinary vaccine manufacturers are not required by law to provide long-term duration of immunity studies in order to license their product, only studies that demonstrate that they confer immunity for the length of time indicated on the label. Thus, rabies vaccine manufacturers are allowed to license 3 year rabies vaccines as 1 year vaccines despite studies proving that the rabies vaccines confer a MINIMUM duration of immunity of 5 to 7 years.
For further information on the rabies vaccine and adverse reactions associated with it, please visit THE RABIES CHALLENGE FUND website at www.RabiesChallengeFund.org. Anyone wishing to have the 1992 French challenge studies or the 2003 Italian studies documenting fibrosarcomas at the presumed injection site of rabies vaccines in dogs, please e-mail me at ledgespring@lincoln.midcoast.com."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 08/06/2008: Susan from Indianapolis, Indiana writes: "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"
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 08/05/2008: Dan from Salisbury nb Canada, Canada writes: "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"
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 07/29/2008: Melissa from OKC, OK writes: "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.
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 07/26/2008: Emmitt from Lakelnd, Florida writes: "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!!"
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[NAY] 07/24/2008: Suzanne from Toronto, Ontario, Canada writes: "Within 3 hours my 19 month old shih tzu was very lathargic. My high energy puppy suddenly started acting like he was 19 years old. Now I'm finding out that dogs don't need yearly vaccines. The vaccines are good for at least 5 years. Personally, my dog will not be getting his shots till he is at least 7 years old."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 07/19/2008: Nancy from Marianna, USA writes: "My newfoundland had her annual vaccinations two weeks ago. She started chewing on her feet and legs, Then I noticed blood in her mouth and on her toys. Took her to the vet and she had low plateletts, went to a specialist and he said it most likely is reaction from recent vacc. I left her there that night thniking I would see her in the AM. I got a call in early am saying she was DIC (bleeding out) She died! That was this week. I had no clue this could happen. She was 5 1/2yrs old, part of me died that day. Many friends are not aware of this as a side effect. Why are we not aware??"
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[YEA] 07/18/2008: Julie from Madison, WI writes: "I had a 4 month old kitten die of cat distemper because I didn't get it's vaccines. I think that telling people not to get vaccines is wrong - it was the death of my little Angel."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 07/18/2008: Stephanie from Queensbury, NY writes: "My dog received the intra-nasal vaccine for bordatella on Feb. 28, 2008 the next day she started to cough almost asmatic, a runny nose so full of mucous, constantly running also very tired out. She's only 3 yrs. old .Over the next few months she has been scoped, x-rayed, nebulized,and been on three different antibiotics,$1,000.00 later to no avail.The vet chalked it up to an allergy. At which I called Schering-plough the company which makes this vaccine. The vet there said to take her back and they would pay for a battery of tests to see if the Bordatella was responsible. Of course after waiting 3 weeks for results they said Bordatella didn't show up. My dog was a healthy energy filled dog until this. Now she's very lathargic and sleeps alot. I will not vaccinate my dog again I will go all natural. To see her so sick and uncomfortable and shortness of breath breaks my heart and angers me to know the vets continue to over vaccinate."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 07/12/2008: Dana from Kauai, Hawaii writes: "I have about a 14 week old kitten who weighs 5.5lbs. Yesterday I took him to the vet to have his booster shots and ever since he has been very lethargic, won't hardly eat or drink and he meows and bites me when I pet over the injection site. I hope he is ok, and after reading all these posts I am very hesitant to get the rest of his booster shots."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 07/12/2008: Danny from Lancaster, Oh writes: "About 3 weeks ago I took my 1 yr old male cat Tazzy to the vet to get his distemper and rabies b/c we were boarding him and having him neutered while he was there. A week later he seemed to be ok and his same ol' self. The vet never mentioned if he had any problems. Well yesterday I took Tazzy back to get his 2nd booster and since then he has thrown up several times, has runny stool, won't eat and is very mopey (not himself). Not sure If I should call the vet and let them know b/c I'm thinking they may just want more money out of me.
what should I do? Any suggestions?"
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 07/10/2008: Brian from Ferndale, Michigan writes: "My 9 yr old Chi always has a reaction to the vaccine shots, but they seem to be getting worse. This latest one was for the rabbies (and maybe another?). He is listless and very sore. He cries out when picked up, yelps after he barks (has since stopped barking), walks very unusual, will not jump up or down and hides under a chair shaking. It has been a week now and seems to be getting a little better. His appetite is good and bathroom is OK. I am done with all vaccinations for him except for the required rabbies (unless I can avoid that too?)"
07/11/2008: Mary (Caskdmj at AOL) from Southaven, MS replies: "Yes, you can avoid future rabies vaccinations by having a titer test done instead. My chi, as well, will NOT have further vaccinations. Two reactions she's had have convinced me that the risk is just too great."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 07/06/2008: Elaine from Bumpass, Virginia writes: "I have three terriers..Welsh, Irish and Wire Fox. The Fox Terrier is 15 and because of reactions to vaccinations, I now have all boosters given separately. Last April, 2007, I took my 3yr old Welsh Terrier, Maggie, to get her DHPP. She had been very healthy up till then. She was very lethargic for the first two days and would not eat. Then, she started walking with her head cocked to the side. She stumbled when walking and seemed disoriented. It was a very busy time for us...we were packing to move from CA to VA in ten days...my father was dying and in the care of hospice. It wasnt until about five days after Maggie was vaccinated that we realized how serious her condition was. We took her to the ER Vet about May 2, 2007. Blood work and urinalysis were normal. The vet performed a neurological exam and said that she had a serious neurological problem. She was concerned that the live virus from the vaccination might have crossed the blood brain barrier and actually caused her to contract distemper. There were also a lot of other neurological diseases that could be the cause. She told us that the only way we would know what was wrong was for her to have a CT scan and a spinal tap. She told us that these tests would cost about $1500-2000. We of course decided to go ahead with the tests. She sent Maggie home with us and told us that she would contact us in the morning. She wanted the tests done ASAP because the next day was Friday and if the tests werent done by noon, they wouldnt get the results until the next week. She called us very early the next morning and told us to have Maggie in San Diego at 9am. It was an hr drive for us and we left her off and were told that she could probably go home that night and that they would have some of the results by then. We called to find out when we could pick her up and were told that she needed to stay overnight because her blood pressure was very high...and they didnt have the results but would in the morning. Called early the next morning and was told that Maggie should stay thru the day because of blood pressure...and they still didnt have the results. By that evening, they wanted to keep her overnight. We told them that we were coming to get her. I was sure that blood pressure was from her being nervous...and they promised they would have results when we picked her up. We drove down to get her and were told that they still didnt have the results...seemed strange since that is why they needed to perform tests before noon the day before. Sent Maggie home with Prednisone and antibiotic. In the meantime, we moved out of our house and spent the next week with my family. My father died that week. We were on the phone with the vet daily...one week later there were no results from the tests. The final bill was $3,500 but we had no idea what was wrong with Maggie. She was no better...still stumbling and cocking her head to the side. She was no longer playful and slept all of the time....and peed constantly because of the prednisone. On the 17th of May, we had to leave to drive to VA. The Rx had run out and they renewed them. The vet had no explanation for the lack of test results. We started to realize that somehow the test results must have been lost. There was no other explanation for no test results ten days later. The vet kept putting it off on the lab. On the second day of our trip to VA, the vet called me on my cell phone and said that all the test results were normal. My question to him was, What is wrong with my dog? After all of that time and money, they were telling us that there was nothing wrong with her. She wasnt better though. We took her off of the prednisone and the antibiotic. We had been stopping every hr for her to pee while we were driving. It has now been over a year. Maggie is now back to normal. It was a gradual change. She no longer cocks her head to the side. She plays, runs and eats normally. The one lasting side effect seems to be with her personality. She has become anti social. She doesnt like to be held and growls at us when we make her do something that she doesnt want to do. She never acted like that before. Our new vet in VA does not want her to have anymore vaccinations...except for the Rabies. She said that it is the law that she has to have that one. She is four now and is due for the rabies in a couple of weeks. I am hoping that it doesnt cause the same problem that the DHPP did. We will never know for sure what caused Maggies neuroligical problems but I have to believe that it was the booster shot that she received."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 06/30/2008: Jill from Bellingham, WA writes: "You asked about vaccination reactions. With my new whippet pup, I actually decided to do a modified vaccination schedule. A single distemper then wait 2 weeks then a single parvo. After both shots, the pup literally screamed all night long. I had no idea this was a reaction. A few months later my pup wound up with cardio-myopathy and is dying. I read in the book Homeopathy for Cats and Dogs by Don Hamilton, DVM that the parvo vaccine can cause cardio-myopathy. Also, my holistic vet said that my pup was probably susceptable and that the vaccine caused his condition. This has cost me thousands of dollars over the past 2 years to keep my sweet dog comfortable until his ultimate death. I no longer vaccinate at all and my dogs are healthier than ever. Unfortunately, it took the slow death of my sweet Jack to finally figure it out. We've been using Arsenicum (homeopathy), a raw diet, Canine Cardiac Support (glandulars), CoQ10 as well as Pimobendan (pharmaceutical) from Canada in support of his condition."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 06/30/2008: Lynda from Merrimack, NH, USA writes: "I have a nice year old border collie who received the rabies vaccine three years ago. Four weeks later she was throwing up yellow bile, her eyes had blood spots, she became lethargic. I took her to the vet and they said she had Thrombocytopenia and she required a transfusion. I was not sure I could afford the 4-5 K to have this done on an emergency basis and called my husband to discuss. He said that he didn't think we could afford it, as they said she might not make it anyhow. After not agreeing to do this I wanted to take her home so she could be comfortable, the other option presented to us that she might have ingested some toxins and we could treat with Doxycline and vitamin K....we opted to treat her with oral medication. Within two days she was her old self again, her eye cleared up, her appetite came back. She finished the medication and didn't have any problems.
She was due this year for her Rabies Vaccine again, my husband took her a little over a month ago, she began throwing up yellow bile, and a huge amount of blood, her eyes are red again, she is very lethargic, eating only small amounts and has to be carried downstairs to go out to do her business. We took her to a different vet and again her platelet count is down, she now has some doxycycline and some steroids. I have give her the medication an hour ago and hopefully she will make another miraculous recovery.
I will never ever give her another vaccine, this stuff is dangerous."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 06/29/2008: Linda from Sisal, Yucatan, Mexico writes: "Both of my dogs - a female Shih Tzu and a male Pekingese - had the bordetella vaccines this past Monday. Within a couple of days, they were both extremely lethargic, and have been sort of "snorting" (I guess this is called "reverse sneezing"?). I took them back to the same vet on Saturday, and he did a blood test on the Peke, as he was the worst, and his white blood count was above normal, but everything else was normal. He said to give them both liquid Benedryl every 8 hours for 3 days, then once a day for the next 2 weeks. I haven't noticed any significant difference so far, but have only administered 3 times so far, so hope it helps soon."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 06/23/2008: Connie (k9art[at]what-wire.com) from Greeley, CO writes: "I lost a beloved female Australian Shepherd, Belle, that I bred and raised... to her "MINIMAL" vaccines. I NO longer use ANY! Please check out my website for the complete story and photos of her decline. http://pinecrestaussies.tipod.com (In Memory of Belle) I'm trying to spread the truth, so that other animal lovers truly know what HARM vaccines can cause. I also suggest you join the JstsayNO2Vaccs / BeyondVaccination Lists at YahooGroups.com. READ the book: Natural Immunity, by Pat McKay. HTH, connie & the RAW Fed Aussie Pack."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 06/20/2008: Vivia from Morton, PA writes: "re: lyme vaccination for pups -- my pup dobie just got his first lyme shot and it was the scariest thing ever, first he lost control of his bowels and then he fell down and peed, he is a little tired now but i hope he will be ok."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 06/20/2008: Dave from Mayo, Ireland writes: "Had litter of Pugs Parvo Vacc. 19th June, on way home checked pups, one was near death, back to Vet -- steroid injection, ok now."
07/15/2008: Greg Haywood (ghaywood@cfl.rr.com) from Oviedo, Florida replies: "To Patty from Oak Park, WA...
In your 6/20/08 post, you said about your cat, "he was licking his legs and paws, couldn't get comfortable laying down, and he was breathing rapidly. He wouldn't let me hold him or pet him for long".
we have two 16 week old female kittens from the same litter who both just had their last kitten shots. One has reacted exactly as yours did. She remains hostile, but only toward her sister kitten! It is now 7/15/08. Can I ask how your kitten is doing now and how long it took for it to return to normal behavior?"
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 06/20/2008: Patty from Ocean Park, WA writes: "I took my orange tabby in for his rabies, lukemia & distemper booster yesterday. He also got 2.25 Drontal pills for worms. When I came home after work last night he was aggitated. I thought he was hungry but he ignored the food I put down for him. Later I noticed he was licking his legs and paws, couldn't get comfortable laying down, and he was breathing rapidly. He wouldn't let me hold him or pet him for long. I called the vet at home. He suggested i give Mulligan half a Benydril. It took another 45 minutes for that to work. He is still sleeping this morning and hasn't eaten.
I had another cat that had the same reaction to his rabies booster. What is going on here! One vet told me it could be a reaction to the medium used in the vaccination. If so, why are they still useing it! I am going to email the WSU and Cornell Vet schools for more info."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 06/19/2008: Judy from Toms River , NJ writes: "My Rat Terrier Peaches developed bordetella both times a few days after she was vaccinated intranasally as a young dog. I stopped giving the yearly vaccine and it never happened again. She is now 8 years old. I had stopped all vaccinations except the rabies vaccine which was given last April. During the summer, she then developed an autoimmune disease that was diagnosed by Univ. Of Penn's Chief Professor of Derm. Name- "Rabies Vaccine associated Ischemic Dermatopathy.
It cost me around $12K to get the diagnosis since the local vets would not admit the problem for various reasons. Once we got the proper dx and then the proper meds, she is now in remission, however she almost died and local vets would not admit the cause(including local specialty center) Ft. Dodge Vaccine. Our story is in these archives. My advice is to stay away from vaccines as your dog may be hyper-sensitive like my Peaches. You can now get a waiver from a homeopathic DVM."
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