VACCINATION READER FEEDBACK

[SIDE EFFECTS]  06/10/2008: Carl from Central City, Ky writes: "My 7 year old lab had a severe reaction to a seven way vaccine. I gave him the shot and within 5 minutes he had collapsed in the yard. I rushed him to the vet where he recieved 2 shots of eperinephinand a steroid shot (in less than 30 minutes from the origional shot). the vet had checked on him an hour later he showed some activity. When the vet returned two hours after that he was dead. This was the same shot I had been giving him for seven yrs, just this time it was fatal."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  06/09/2008: Karen Cohen from Johannesburg, South Africa writes: "We have 4 miniature dachshunds. They had their 5 in one annual vaccine plus a rabies shot. All 4 of them had severe swelling, itching and disorientation reactions. 2 of them vomited. They had cortisone to ease the reaction. The vet said it happens to one dog in a thousand. So how come in our case it was 4 out of 4? Sad Truth is most (not all) vets and the health authorities do not care about the short term and long term side effects of the poison vaccines injected into our beloved animals. Of course it is difficult to pinpoint a long term side effect - but given the immediate horrid short term effects, there must surely be negative long term side effects as well."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  06/09/2008: Joi from Hinesville, GA writes: "My poodle was vaccinated a few days ago and I also found two lumps on him. One of his shoulder and the other under his arm. The one under his arm doubled in suize in less that 24 hours but then disappeared. If these are normal side efects, why wasn't I told by the vet or the groomer (had him groomed that day too). I have been freaking out all weekend. I found my dog a year ago and this is 1st time I got him vaccinated and they knew that. I am sad and very scared right now."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  06/07/2008: Linda J from Egg Harbor Township, NJ USA writes: "I brought my cat to a vet I had never used before. My wish was that she not be given a rabies booster shot because she was failing. The vet gave her one anyway. When I questioned why, she said it was "the law." Five days later, she died an agonizing death. I am a nurse. She had all the symtoms of active rabies, including being repulsed by water given by syringe. Read my blog http://lindajosevert.blogspot.com/"

[SIDE EFFECTS]  06/07/2008: Lynda from Goodyear, Arizona writes: "We lost our beautiful Black Lab (Sadie) after getting her rabies shot. It's been 10 days since we had to put her to sleep and we are hurting so much. She was so anemic and weak. We all need to call the Dept. of Agriculture for Veterinary Biologics (515)232-5785 and insist that our pets get Titer Tested before given anymore shots. They are over vaccinating our pets! People get Tetnus Shots every 10 years. Why do our animals need rabies shots every 3 years? I am so full of Guilt for letting her get this shot. I can not sleep in the bedroom because she slept next to the bed and now her spot is empty."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  06/06/2008: Judy from Petaluma, CA writes: "More sad news about vaccinations? I had my 4 year old Norwich Terrier vaccinated for DHPP and Leptospirosis in December per our "regular" plan with our vet. Clancy was a spunky energetic dog.Three months later, in early March Clancy became lame in his right front leg. We initially thought it was just a leg injury but, it turned out he had cancer. Three heartbreaking months and thousands of dollars later we had our be-loved dog put to sleep. We didn't know about the risks of over vaccinating. With a heavy heart and a hole in our lives we won't make the same mistake again."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  06/06/2008: Vera from Escondido, CA writes: "our dog is mixed poodle he is about 12 pounds he recieved a rabi shot today. abut and hour later he was shaking. he hasn't stopped. he keeps licking his nose, his eyes look scared. he doesn't look well. can a rabi shot have such a traumatic effect?"

[SIDE EFFECTS]  06/05/2008: Mollie from Mammoth, WV writes: "I took my 2 boxers in to have their first ever kennel cough vaccine so they can be boarded at the end of the month. One is 6 years old & the other 3 years old. About 2 1/2 days after the vaccine they both developed runny noses with clear discharge & the younger boxer is coughing intermittantly. Both started exhibiting symptoms withing about 3 hours of each other. Could this be a side effect of the vaccine ??? The vet is putting them on antibiotics which my mother is picking up for me right now."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  06/04/2008: Aileen (amartinez@mofo.com) from Pittsburg, California writes: "My 1 year old Chihuahua/MinPin (who is about 5-7 lbs) received his rabies vaccinations on 5/25/08. He has a big kind of hard lump on his back now. I called and they said to wait 2 months and it will go away."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  06/04/2008: Jane from Somerset, Pennsylvania writes: "My four year old bichon received the distemper vaccine last year and started having seizures that lasted up to an hour. The seizures lasted about one month. He continues to have seizures when he hears loud noises or becomes extremelly upset. THIS WAS NOT AN ISSUE PRIOR TO THE VACCINE FOR DISTEMPER."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  05/30/2008: April from New Orleans, Louisiana writes: "i took my 2 year old boston terrier to get his vaccinations this week. he was very sore and cried when i tried to pick him up.he was also not putting any pressure on his back leg. i spoke to the vet and they said it was common. i'm worried because it has been 3 days and he is still lethargic and looks sad. he has not interest in playing. i'm wondering how long these side effects will last?"

[SIDE EFFECTS]  05/21/2008: Melissa writes: "hi my name is melissa . i have a five month old alaskan malimute/ husky puppy. he had his two first series of shots on time then for his third ones about six hours later he stated to foam at the mouth twice within 20 minutes apart then bout four in half hours later he had a real bad seizure so i took him to the er vet he spent the nite he had anther at 615 that morn my vet stated him on phenobarbital at bout 11 this morn he hasent had one since but im scared. could there been an allergic reaction to the (rabies)shots he has been a very heathly active and smart little boy puppy. what could be wrong? thank u."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  05/19/2008: Mary from Monroeville, PA writes: "My dog went for a recheck for his anal gland infection and was cleared to get a booster of DHLPPC, rabies and Bordetella. He ended up vomiting multiple times within 48 hours. He is a Tibetan Mastiff and 17 months old."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  05/18/2008: Mary from Southaven, MS writes: "Intranasal bordetalla vaccination side effect: My 14 month old chihuahua was given (without my prior knowledge or concent) an intranasal vaccination for bordetella nearly a month ago. Since then, she continues to have intermittant bouts of sneezing, "reverse-sneezing", and coughing. I cannot seem to get a straight answer from my vet as yet, but in researching the internet it would seem she may have developed chronic rhinitis or tracheobronchitis as a side effect of the vaccination and will require 3-6 weeks of antibiotics. I also read that this vaccination, along with others she's been given, should be reserved for dogs that are shown or kennelled, which she is not. Has anyone else reported problems such as this from the intranasal bordetella vaccination? I'm rather upset and am considering refusing all future vaccinations of any kind."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  05/17/2008: Cherri from Henderson, Ky writes: "I took my 18 year old cat to the vet to be boarded up for 3 days. I did not ask for her to receive a rabies shot. She stays indoors always. They gave her a rabies shot. Before we took her there, she was eating 2 cans of soft cat food (Fancy Feast) a day and now I am lucky if she will eat 1/2 can a day. She walks around like a zombie now and her walking is horrible. A totally different cat since she had the rabies shot."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  05/14/2008: Mike Curran from West Chester, PA writes: "My cat went in for it's distemper shots yesterday afternoon. She was eleven weeks old. Today, the vet called us to see how she was. She would not walk, eat, or drink, and she could not stand up. She had to go to the emergency vet and went into cardiac arrest. The first vet told us that there was no possible way that it was an allergic reaction but the emergency vet said that it was very possible. I have never heard of a vet calling to check up on an animal. The kitten has died now, but it is still weird that no one can seem to find a reason for the sickness."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  05/11/2008: Rosemary (rafferty@zoominternet.net) from Woodhull, NY writes: "my 8 week old puppy just had parvo virus vaccine and is now vomiting with diareah"

[SIDE EFFECTS]  05/11/2008: Christal (clarkandaddison(at)hotmail.com) from dekalb, IL writes: "My Chi just went in yesterday for his 3 yr rabies and his distemper shot. He had a bad reaction that last time this occured and I told the vet. I said I was afraid he was given to much. The vet says its one size fits all, so what they give a 100 pound lab they give my 7 lb chi. INSANE! My dog is again having severe reactions to these shots. He cant move he whines outloud. He whimpers. God forbid your touch his legs he cries out. They gave us a steriod which worked for a few hours and then wore off, I gave his another pill and it never touched his pain. I have tried Metacam now and still he just cries. I stayed up to 3 am with him last night. I want to know what can I do now and in the future can i say NO to the distemper shot, the county I live in makes us get rabies although I will get the 1 yr shot next time not the 3 yr. I cant even take him to the vet right now because to move him would cause him severe pain. This makes me sick!!!"

[SIDE EFFECTS]  05/11/2008: Cesar Montoya from Los Angeles, California writes: "My dog Ronnie, a Dachshund, fell ill after receiving the rabies vaccination. He started shaking and was very sore at and around the injection spot. We tried a small amount of baby Tylenol,it stopped the chills, but the the soreness."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  05/09/2008: JOY from LIVINGSTON, TEXAS writes: "OUR SOON TO BE 4 YEAR OLD JACK RUSSELL (FEMALE-SPAYED)WENT FOR HER YEARLY DHLPPV BOOSTER. WE HAD RECENTLY MOVED & ALSO RECENTLY LOST OUR LONG TIME VET. WE SEARCHED AND FOUND A NEW VET IN OUR AREA. WITHOUT GIVING US THE OPTION, HE EXAMINED HER, VERIFIED HER RECENT RV VACCINATION & THEN PROCEEDED TO PULL UP THE DHLPPV INJECTION & THEN WITHOUT ASKING OR WARNING HE PRECEEDED TO GIVE HER THE KENNEL COUGH VACCINE (INTRA-NASAL). WE WERE NOT ALLOWED TO HOLD HER SO WERE BLOCKED FROM EFFECTIVE SEEING WHAT HE WAS DOING UNTIL HE WAS DOING IT, WHEN HE STATED THAT SINCE SHE SAW A GROOMER ONCE A MONTH (SAME ONE SINCE SHE WAS 4 MONTHS OLD) SHE HAD TO HAVE THE VACCINE. WITHIN 48 HOURS SHE STARTED WITH THE HORRIBLE COUGH & THROWING UP MUCOUS. WE CALLED THE VET BUT WERE MADE TO FEEL LIKE WE WERE BOTHERING THEM. WE HAVE SEARCHED ONLINE & FOUND SOME HELP & ARE GIVING HER BENADRYL TWICE A DAY & KEEPING HER QUIET. IT IS COMING UP ON A WEEK NOW & SHE IS NOT MUCH BETTER. ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS? BESIDES NEVER USING THAT VET AGAIN!?!?!"

[SIDE EFFECTS]  05/07/2008: Steph from Bozeman, MT writes: "I'm posting to share my cat's vaccination experience earlier today. his name is Biff- he's a 5 year old lynxe point siamese-he's big-16lbs-but not really overweight-maybe just a tad. Took him to the vet at 5:30-already worried and not feeling quite right about allowing him to be vaccinated- he had a rabies on left shoulder & respitory & luekemia combined on the right shoulder. Then we had my dogs nails trimmed- we were on our way out the driveway around 6 when I heard him vomit-back to the vet. She at first thought overexcitement, but he continued to vomit & she agreed he was having a reaction & injected benadryl. And then we watched him. He was still vomiting every 5 minutes or so. He was licking at the injection site alot throughout the next couple of hours- where he got the rabies- and trying to reach it with his back paw to scratch- he chewed on the pads of his feet a few different times- he was very agitated and obvoiusly experiencing quite a bit of discomfort. His fur on his back kept twitching on and off- like he's trying to shake off the feeling - wouldn't still for long kept pacing- was panting openmouthed a few times. The vet after about 45 minutes of this gave him a steroid shot. We waited another half hour til he seemed well enough to go home & hadn't vomited in about 25 minutes or so. The vet seemed very surprised that it was a rabies reaction-said it was really uncommon. On our way home he lost bladder conrol in his crate. He's been better since we've been home- he's pretty sleepy- I'm just worried something more will happen tonight- don't want to fall asleep in case. this sucks- This very much worsens my concerns about vaccinating- I feel lucky after reading some of the other stories that the end result wasn't death."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  05/07/2008: Lisa from San Antonio, Texas writes: "Both of my 5 month old germ. shep/chow puppies were spayed and vaccinated on Monday. I told the vets office no shots. The receptionist insisted that was the best thing because they had 6 cases of parvo the week prior. I agreed. Today (wednesday) One of our sweet gentle pups had to be taken in this morning for infection(?) and dehydration. She hasn't eaten since Sunday eveniing,drinking very little. She seems very disoriented. The other pup has been just fine. Vaccines???"

[SIDE EFFECTS]  05/06/2008: Sally (rosyvu[at]cox.net) from San Diego, California writes: "My 3 year old Bichon-Poodle mix just had her yearly Bordetella Vaccine and is experiencing side effects of loss of appetite, very tired, slight cough and cries when I try to pick her up. Prior to receiving the vaccine, she was a normal happy dog. The side effects began about 6 hours after receiving the treatment. I have given her 4 mg of Chlorpheniramine Mealeate which has not helped yet. She has never had a reaction to this vaccine before."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  05/06/2008: Brandye from Keller, TX writes: "My two pugs, ages 2 and 1.5 yrs. old rec'd Leptospirosis vaccines on 05-05-08. The younger pug exhibited no side effects, but after 3 hours, the 2 year old began scratching at his face, vomiting, having muscles twitches, the skin around his eyes swelled, and his lips swelled. Upon calling the vet, I administered 25 mg. of Benedryl orally. It took around 3 hours for the symptoms to dissipate to the point that he was able to sleep."