Vaccination Side Effects in Pets
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VACCINATION READER FEEDBACK
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 01/13/2010: Amanda Carlin from Warrington, Cheshire, Uk writes: "I took my 1 year old Border Terrier to the Vets for his 1 Year booster injection, but within a few hours he developed Diarreah. The next day I rang the vets and they said this wasn't a side effect of the booster and to just starve him for 24hrs to see how he goes. Later that day he still had diarreah but this time it had blood in it, and all the next day too. I am going to take him back to the vets tomorrow but it just seems strange that he had his booster and is now very ill, he hasn't been ill all year so it can't just be a coincidence can it ??"
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 01/04/2010: Jp Perez from Miami, Florida writes: "my 3 months old american bulldog puppy female just had a bad allergic reaction to the penicillin in the booster shot, we had to rush back to the docter and they gave her a shot with benedryl. her face and eye got swollen bad and reddish pink as well as her legs and hives on her body. it was really scary. within 15 mins of the shot the dog was covered in bumps. it was really scary, right now the bumps have gone down very lil cause of the benedryl we gave her and half teaspoons of kids benedryl, what else can we do?"
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 12/28/2009: Donna from Brownwood, Texas writes: "Puppy vaccine reaction
I have had several puppies die over the years after getting their 1st puppy vaccine at the age of 4- 6 weeks. I'm currently watching one (maltese) fade away as I type this. The breeds have been Maltese, cockers, shih tzu's and poodles."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 12/27/2009: Telly from London, Uk writes: "Vaccination reaction
My 12 week old Jack Russell terrier puppy suffered a severe reaction to the 2nd booster vaccination. She weighs 3kg, and had Leptospirosis, and a combined Distemper, Hept, Parvo Parainflu vaccination. She had swollen eyes, severe itching, hives. The vets gave an anti-histimine but symptoms continued for 12 hours. Worried now that there may be other problems in the future."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 12/20/2009: Joanie from Vero Beach, Fl writes: "My dog Tasha, a now 14.5 year old, 10 pound Shih Tzu, has had a reaction to her yearly shots since a puppy. After each vaccination she would be very quiet and whine like she was in pain when I picked her up all day long. I finally stopped getting her annual shots, except the rabies one required by law, with the 2005 checkup. According to a natural dog publication, dogs don't require annual shots after age ten anyway. By then, they have built up enough antibodies to fend off most ailments. Of course the vet tried to avoid this when I questioned him except to say that the vaccinations actually last 3 to 5 years. It seems we have been over vaccinating our pets for years. Perhaps that is why they have all of the ailments they do ie. kidney and liver problems, since everything is filtered through these organs and even cancer."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 12/10/2009: Sherry from Nashville, Tn writes: "We have a dachshund/chihuahua mix who broke out in hives and welts on her head,face and neck about 20 hours after her first series of shots at 10 weeks."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 12/06/2009: Lisa from Ferndale, Mi writes: "Booster side effects
My 11 yr old himalayan cat had no known health problems until she was given a booster for rabbies & FVRCP. 1 wk later she was limping & after many test she was diagnosed with cancer which had matastisied Lesions found in lungs, shld blade & both paws. She passed away 2 months later. I am against boosters & some vaccinations that are not necessary."
Replies[SIDE EFFECTS] 07/17/2010: Lydie from Alicante, Spaini replies: "Two days ago, I had my cat's yearly vaccinations done for rabies and RCPCh FeLV. Until the moment of vaccination, she was very active, talkative, ate and drank normally, walked, ran and jumped often, played and was generally alert and completely healthy. After vaccination, she immediated became lethargic, stopped moving at all or moved slowly by limping low to the ground as if in pain and only over a short distance, would not eat, drink or relieve herself. Yesterday, 24 hours later, I returned her to the vet. She confirmed the cat had a fever and was swollen at the injection site "probably" as a reaction to vaccination. She put her on an intervenous solution for 20mn to hydrate her and gave her an anti-inflammatory shot saying she would immediately become herself again. Today, day 3 since vaccination, she is not herself, she is hardly better, still moving with difficulty and lethargic, eating and drinking very little and moving hardly ever. I was told to bring her back today if symptoms persisted. I will be doing so today. I am very bothered that this should occur. My cat is an indoor only cat with no other animals around, therefore not exposed to these diseases and I regret accepting the vets recomendation to vaccinate."
07/19/2010: Lisa from Wichita Falls, Tx replies: "Lydie, this is why I do not do the vaccines any longer. All of my cats are indoor and my dog goes in the back yard and that's it. My little dog used to get sick for days from the vaccination and one of my cats would get sick for almost a week. So, no more. My dog is 11 years old. All of the bad stuff that we put in our pets is why they get cancer and everything else. Vets will say it is not, but it is. . . What else is a vet going to say?"
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 12/02/2009: Darren from Cecil, Pa writes: "We brought our two one year old cats into the vet for one year vaccinations, rabies and the flu/virus bundle almost two days ago. The cats are littermates and both female although one is about 9.5 lbs and the other is 7 lbs. The larger cat has responded fine with no side effects and is completely back to normal and in fine health. The smaller cat is not herself and has been quite lethargic over the past two days. She has gone from a playful cat that runs around and jumps and climbs to laying around, not running or jumping or "talking" and has taken some interest in a few toys, but has not run or jumped since these injections. I have read that cats can exhibit signs of sluggishness and lethargy for a day or two after injections, so I am hoping this is a matter of soreness of hind legs/trauma of going to vet (both are indoor cats) and maybe a bit of (a non life threatening) reaction to shots. I'll be honest, I have read the possible side effects of what these shots can do to animals and I'm worried. She has, it should be noted been eating and drinking and using the litter box.
Before we got these two kittens, our 3 year old cat came down with FIP which we believe was transmitted from exposure from the same vet clinic that we took our new cats to as the previous cat was also a perfectly healthy indoor cat. We don't want to go through this anguish of seeing an animal suffer again. She died what must have been an extremely painful death through this FIP, and anytime something happens to our other cat that stems from this vet, these feelings come back that something wrong is happening. Thanks for reading. I guess my question is is a 2 day reaction to these vaccinations commonplace?"
Replies[SIDE EFFECTS] 02/13/2010: Terri from Chillicothe, Oh replies: "We just had our 5 mo. old Choc.Point Siamese vaccinated for distemper/leukemia Fri. She has been laying around since, got up once to play briefly, and I don't thinks she has eaten or drunk, either. I am going to take her back to the vet Mon if this persists. My other Siamese is "sensitive" to shots and has to be re-treated and watched. Good-luck w/your kitty and I hope ours comes out of this. I am getting worried now."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 12/01/2009: Carol from Pittsburgh, Pa. writes: "15 years ago and before I thought I was being the good pet owner and getting my dog, a mix Golden X, vaccinations whenever they were needed. Long story short, my dog acquired mast cell cancer from vaccinosis and it developed at the injection site. I did enlist a holistic vet after his vet said he only had 3 months to live. Going totally holistic with treatments, my dog lived a good quality life for 2.5 years thereafter.
I now have 2 Old English Sheepdogs who are naturally reared. They are 9 & 10 currently and have had no chemicals in or on them, are fed a raw diet and have only been to a vet once. They had their puppy shots and that was it until my one dog was diagnosed with a hernia. He had to have an operation and they wouldn't do it until he had a rabies shot. This would be his second in his lifetime. I was reluctant but knew he needed a repair of his hernia. 2 months after that shot, he developed cysts all around his neck area. Sheepdogs are extremely sensitive to shots of any kind and he did puff up at the injection site. I was told by an herbalist to take a slice of lemon and rub it on the site and the puffiness went away. I then began using Colloidal Silver in drops 2x a day on the cysts and in a matter of a week, they burst and were gone and have never returned. They will never get a rabies shot for the life of them. My dogs have never had medications either of any kind. I treat them homeopathically and herbally and they are thriving."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 11/24/2009: Denise from New Melle, Missouri writes: "Vaccination death
Our baby, Tinker Bell was a six year old, almost 7 pound Chichawa. We took her in for her yearly vaccinations last week. Less than fifteen minutes later, she was dead. She had never experienced any problems with her shots before. Our vet said she had never seen a death as a result of the vaccinations, but she knew it was a risk. We didn't realize the risk involved. Thank you for your web site."
EC: We are so sorry for your loss.
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 11/23/2009: Janice from York, Pennsylvania writes: "I had my Shiba Inu, 12 years old, vaccinated with about his 10th lyme vaccination in June. About 48 hours later he began being lame on his right rear leg. The vet would not hear us out on it being due to the vaccination, but could not find any other reasons for the lameness. He has now progressed to not being able to walk on either hind leg. He "shuffles." Today at the vet the vet again could find nothing wrong and sent us on our way. They were quite offended that I think it could or might have something to do with the vaccine. They actually told me I could just get a copy of my dog's file and go elsewhere. I have gotten the copy. How rude of them, this dog has been there for 12 years and I had other pets there for over 25 years. I was given an antiinflammatory and sent on my way."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 11/20/2009: Melody from Emu Plains, Nsw 2750 Australia writes: "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."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 10/31/2009: Cynthia from Lutz, Fl writes: "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."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 10/28/2009: Janet from Camas, Wa writes: "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?"
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[DEATH REPORTED] 10/28/2009: Laurie from Felton, Pa writes: "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."
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[DEATH REPORTED] 10/25/2009: Kathy from Sturgeon Lake, Mn writes: "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."
Replies04/14/2010: William from Lexington, Ky replies: "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."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 10/20/2009: Dlupton from San Diego, Ca writes: "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."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 10/08/2009: Christina from Dallas, Tx writes: "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."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 10/07/2009: Lilly from Winthrop, Maine writes: "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."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 10/04/2009: Tammy from Reno, Nevada writes: "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.."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 10/02/2009: Shannon from Sylvan Lake, Alberta writes: "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!"
Replies12/08/2011: Cheryl from El Mirage, Az. replies: "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."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 10/02/2009: Kristen from Lantana, Florida writes: "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."
Replies10/25/2009: Amanda from Troy, Ny replies: "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."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 09/26/2009: Tina from Weatherford, Tx writes: "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."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 09/22/2009: Anita from Howell, Mi writes: "We have a Golden Retriever puppy, 11 weeks old. The breeder told us that when he received his 1st puppy shot, he had a "possible" reaction one day later. The pup was lethargic and wouldn't get up or walk. He was taken to the vet who was not sure what was wrong but put the pup on steroid medication. When we got him, he was a happy, healthy puppy with no problems that we could see. We told our vet and gave her the records from the breeder's vet. When it was time for our pup's 2nd shot ( DAPP-CV), we "pre-medicated him with Benadryl. He was fine until the 2nd day after the vaccination when he vomited, became lethargic and just very sick. The vet kept him and gave him IV hydration and medication for 2 days. We took him home today. He is alert and eating, but is unable to use his back legs and yelps when he is picked up. He is incontinent of urine and stool. So far we have spent $575 which wouldn't bother me at all if he was well now....he isn't. I can only pray he recovers. I will NOT let this beautiful pup have any more vaccines... EVER!!"
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 09/07/2009: Connie from Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada writes: "I just found this site through a friend and am blown away by the number of reactions pets have had to vaccines. I too went through something. I currently have two cats who got their combo shots every year as recommended by the vet. One year after the shot one of my two cats (a black mix breed) retreated under a desk and stayed there for over a day not eating, drinking or using the litter box. Every time I even came within a few feet of the desk to talk to her she would growl, hiss and lunge out if I got too close. This was very uncharacteristic behaviour. It was the weekend so there was no vet to take her to immediately and resolved to take her on the Monday morning but by the Sunday evening she was sleeping under the desk. She accepted food and water I brought to her there and seemed exhausted. By Monday morning she was up and about and fairly normally though a little quieter and less playful than usual. She was like that for a couple of days before she started playing again. A few months later a friend in Nova Scotia got her black mix breed cat vaccinated and the cat deteriorated in a matter of days and died. Of course she believed it was the vaccines but her vet naturally said no. Since then I only do rabies vaccines every 3 years (much to my vet's chagrin) and have had no problems. I had no idea just how many people have gone through this and seeing all these stories has just validated my decision. Thank you to all who have submitted homeopathic suggestions such as Thuja and charcoal...something I plan to stock my medicine cabinet with me."
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