Vaccination Side Effects in Pets
DISCLAIMER
Our readers offer information and opinions on Earth Clinic, not as a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.
RABIES
Ratings:
|
[SIDE EFFECTS] 10/05/2009: Linda from Eureka, Ca writes: "I recently had my mini doxie vaccinated with 3 year rabies vaccine. within 2 hours she developed bloody diarrhea. The vet refuses to acknowledge that it could be a symptom of the shot and says it is probably stress or irritable bowel. 2 days later the syptoms continue but are subsiding. She received her shot at a volunteer function. There is no amount given on her certificate, just the brand and ser. #"
 Reply to this Thread |  Email |  Print |  Back to Top |
[SIDE EFFECTS] 10/01/2009: Theresa R. from Eyota, Mn writes: "Rabies Booster Reaction
I don't know the exact amounts that were used on my 9 year old shitzu-poodle. She weighs only 11 pounds and now is in autoimmune crisis. We are sitting at deaths door with her while she is transfused and getting fluids and steroids."
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
[SIDE EFFECTS] 09/11/2009: Delidee from Ireland writes: "Hi there,
Just saw all these posts on side affects caused by shots. Here's my story.
I recently moved back to Ireland and in doing so both my dogs, pug girls, had to have rabies shots. Both are around 2 years old. My first dog had her rabies shot as a puppy and about 6 months later had a rabies titer test to comply with regulations to bring her back into Ireland. Weirdly, though she's a perfectly healthy girl she failed the blood test, probably because of the length of time between the shot and the test.So, my only option was to have the shot for her again and the blood test again a month later. This time she passed the test. All seemed well...until 3 months later when she began to lose hair inexplicably from her chest.She was also looking thinner but we had been hiking alot.Still, I took her to the vets about the hair loss and after a overall body check and blood test she was diagnosed as ANAEMIC! I was so shocked, other than the hair loss she was full of energy. In the month that followed the vet tested for everything to determine the cause of the anaemia and make sure her kidneys weren't failing or anything like that. My dog responded, thankfully to all the steroids and various medication but after tests and x-rays there was no answer as to what casued the anaemia. After all this the vet and I came to the conclusion that the 2nd rabies vaccine had been the cause. Funnily I had always suspected it. My dog is fine now, thankfully I could just about afford the treatment for her anaemia, though it left me broke she's okay and I guess thats priceless. However we do plan on travelling again for work purposes and now have to face more probably unecessary boosters.Thats just how the import/export of pets process goes. Luckily no rabies booster but I am fully against uneccessary boosters,unfortunately sometimes they are unavoidable but hopefully this will change and the blood tests that can determine wheter or not dogs need all these shots will become more affordable. :-)"
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
[SIDE EFFECTS] 08/27/2009: Angel from Taylor, Mi writes: "My chihuahua has been diagonsed with cancer. She received her 3 year rabies update and the hair fell out at her injection site. Her next 3 year shot she developed a lump and has been diagonsed with cancer at the injection site. She can't have surgery and has been given 3 to 4 months to live. Great shot."
Replies09/02/2009: Kat from Murrieta, Ca replies: "In case you are not aware of this: If your dog is unhealthy already you do not have to have them vaccinated. You should not give anyone or any animal a vaccine when they are sick or not healthy. Sorry about your pup."
09/09/2009: Sean from City Of Champions, Pa replies: "Angel, I'm 99.99% sure that your Chihuahua doesn't have a cancer. My two Chihuahuas had their rabbies shot 2 years ago. One of them had a lump and I was told that it might be a cancer. I freaked out...and the doctor said to get blood test done first before we discuss about surgery. The blood test came back and it was fine. It turned out that she had allergy reaction to the rabbies shot. So, I warn you that Chihuahuas are very sensitive to those booster & rabbies shots. So, I would do research more on Chihuahuas before you do anything else. If you haven't had your Chihuahua's blood test done, go and do it. It will probably came back as negative."
10/12/2009: Angel from Taylor, Mi replies: "Latest update on my belved Zsazsa. I wrote previously she was diagonosed with cancer at her rabies injection site, yes blood test confirmed it. Zsazsa was allergic to anesthesia and could't have surgery. The vet projected she may live 3 to 4 months. I just lost my little girl last week. Her tumor burst and had no choice but to put her down. It broke my heart. I asked the vet was there any way to know 100% her cancer was from the rabies vaccine and she said they could do a biospy and detemine. We also asked if our local college of vet. medicine would be interested in studing her cancer. Our vet contacted the company who produced the rabies vaccine and they have agreed to pay for the biospy to determine if their product caused the cancer and Michigan State University is going to do an autopsy and study her. If nothing else her number will be reported if it is found the rabies vaccine caused her cancer. I miss her dearly and want peple to know the dangers of this vaccine. I applaud the vet for going after the company to pay for the test and the company for stepping up to see if their poduct caused it."
EC: We are so sorry for your loss, Angel. Thank you for taking the time to update the site.
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
[SIDE EFFECTS] 08/26/2009: April from Sun City, Ca writes: "Negative reaction to 3 year rabies booster: My 13 lb. chihuahua mix breed dog is currently having adverse reactions to his 3-year rabies booster. It has been 1 day since the vacine was given. He is lethargic, sensitive to touch, has loss of appetite, and swelling at the injection site. He received the killed virus form."
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
[SIDE EFFECTS] 08/17/2009: Lisa from Fairfax, Va writes: "Feline Rabies shot reaction
Saturday the 15th, my 4 yr old Norwegian Forest Cat was given a "killed" rabies shot injection. She now is not eating, drinking, walking. I called vet right away and was told she "could of had a blood clot release" or a mild adverse reaction to shot. Her eyes are dilatied, 3 of 4 legs are limp. Vet said I could only watch and wait for this to end, he could do nothing to help her.
I had stopped all rabies vaccines in my cats 3 yrs ago when I started reading about reactions. My vet has always tried to pressure me into getting yearly boosters. This time he said vaccine was changed and safer and I agreed to try it. I have caused this terriable side effect to happen. I can only lay by my sweet "Boots" and hope she is strong enough to pull thru this. All my cats are indoor only and once again will never get another rabies vaccine."
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
[SIDE EFFECTS] 08/16/2009: Lisa from Apple Valley, California/usa writes: "On 07/02/09 my 4 1/2 year old poodle Tyson was given rabies vaccination. He was lethargic for days. He did not want to eat or interact with anyone. The site of the injection was very painful for him, he cried when touched and had a hard time sitting. I called the vet, and was told that sometimes there are reactions, but if they got really bad to come in. Eventually the pain stopped and got back to his normal self. BUT...now more than a month later, he has a large dark area where he was injected, and is losing hair at that spot. It looks really terrible, at first I thought maybe he had skin cancer. But after looking it up on the internet, I put two and two together. I cannot believe that I was not told about this side affect in poodles. Has anyone else had this happen, and is it permanent?"
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
[SIDE EFFECTS] 07/26/2009: Fyreseer from Madison, AL writes: "Cat Vaccination Side Effect and ACV question
We adopted a moggy calico from a no-kill organization. When we got her, she was ill, and they gave us the medications to treat her. She had had the common vaccinations for kittens. We took her to get the first year rabies shot, and after getting her home she started acting very strange. Eventually she developed difficulty breathing, hot dry nose, stopped responding to touch, and we took her to the emergency clinic at around 1AM. Vet treated her for anaphylactic shock. Since that time, we have noted severe allergies to various things, such as flea bites and certain brands of food (we don't know if it's food coloring, preservatives, or whatever, though). I am going to start her and my male with ACV, because he gets diagnosed with FLUTD every time we take him to the vet, regardless of what we take him in for. They drink out of a pet fountain, but how much ACV should you give cats? Or is it a fairly standardized dose based on dilution with water?"
Replies07/26/2009: Pam from Huntsville, Alabama replies: "Have you tried goldenseal for your cats? I have 3 cats all 15 years old, all in good health. I give them a teaspoon of ACV a day in thier water dish. The only illness they have had is a uti in my female. She got cranberry juice in milk for about a week. I know they shouldnt have milk but that was the only way to get her to take it. cleared up a sinus infection in my tom with goldenseal applied to the scruff,have also used the ACV the same way. You may also want to look up activated charcoal for your kitten. If you need to know where to buy the goldenseal locally, since we live in the same area you can e mail me if you want. Hope all goes well."
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
[SIDE EFFECTS] 07/24/2009: Alexis from Ft Wayne, IN writes: "rabies vaccine reaction
My 7mo old,68lb german shepherd pup,ozzy, had his first rabies vaccine on tuesday afternoon. Later that evening i noticed he was groaning and lethargic. there has been no improvement and the pain seems to have worsened, now he whimpers when i touch him. he is eating and drinking ok, just a slight decrease in appetite noted, but he is voiding adequately. Does anyone have any advice for what i can do for him to help alleviate some of his discomfort or tell me how long this may last? my poor ozzy is obviously miserable."
EC: Please read the advice posts at the top of this section.
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
[DEATH REPORTED] 07/02/2009: Immbell from Winnipeg, Manitoba writes: "3 year rabies shots: In Apil 2008, i Had four cats, two female, 2 male, They were all given a 3-year rabies shot. It made sense at the time. Two of my cats are dead, one of cancer, one of bowl related illness. The other two are hanging on although the other male probably has cancer. His blood tests didn't show anything wrong but he is losing weight. My older cat has developed hyperthyroidism and will probably die of heart failure. Has any had such horrendous results from a vaccine. By the the end of the summer I will have no cats and they all will have died within 18 months."
Replies[SIDE EFFECTS] 07/04/2009: Laurel from Etowah, North Carolina replies: "My cat had a bad reaction to a 3 yr. rabies. She has had bowel problems ever since the shot of 2 months ago. I sympathize with the woman in Manitoba."
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
[SIDE EFFECTS] 06/28/2009: Tatiana from Detroit, MI writes: "My dog is 18 month old German Shepper he had rabies vaccination 06.20.2009 merial ser. number 12529A. For the next day dog his behaviar a little change, after 4 days he start limbing on a side were was a shot, after 6 days Behavior problems: destructive behaviors, separation anxiety and odd obsessive behaviors - tail chasing and paw licking, restlessness; viciousness; avoidance of company; unusual affection; desire to travel. We took our dog to vet she says it is not reactions he just hurt his knee. What can I say. Does not look professional, but what can you do about it. Have no idea where to look for help."
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
[SIDE EFFECTS] 06/09/2009: Kacy from Granite Bay, California writes: "Rabies Reaction: In Feb of 2008 my 8 1/2 year old Pekinese required, by law, a rabies booster. The injection was given we came home and I kept looking at her thinking something was not right. I asked my husband if she looked funny to him and he say "OH MY her face is swollen". So back to the vet I went, they gave her another shot to counteract the vaccine. I told the vet that this dog would NEVER have another vaccine of any kind. He agreed!
Kacy"
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
[DEATH REPORTED] 05/13/2009: Lily from Commerce City, Colorado writes: "My cat "Cleo" became fatigued, and unresponsive for nearly 3 weeks after receiving the 3 year dose vacination for rabies recommended by the vet. My Cleo was never the same cat again. She died at age 8."
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
[DEATH REPORTED] 05/11/2009: Lori from Dothan, Alabama writes: "My pet poodle received his annual rabies shot May 2. I notices the next day that he would only sit or lay, hardly no walking, and by the evening he could not stand up. I took him to the vet May 4, got a steroid shot and he was better. But when I came home on May 5, he hadn't drank water all day or left his bed. I took him to the vet again Wed May 6. He stayed over night and died Thursday May 7.
He was a toy poodle, 3lbs, and happy and healthy, full of life. I wished I had not taken him, but I thought I did the right thing. After reading the web, he had all the signs of adverse reactions.
We miss MAX!!!!"
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
[SIDE EFFECTS] 05/04/2009: Lisa from Buffalo, New York writes: "I have a jack russell terrier (7 yrs old) 11 lbs. She received her rabies shot and they drew blood for heartworm on a Thursday, on Friday she was mopping and her back end was sore. Would not let me touch her, she even snapped at me. She started to vomit. She is not eating and has no energy. Would this be a side effect? What should I do?"
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
[SIDE EFFECTS] 04/22/2009: DD from Highland Park , NJ writes: "My puppy, an female pomeranian of 17 weeks just had her first rabies shot. Are now 2 days since and she seams more sleepy and second morning she also vomited. I would like to know how long time I might expect side effects from rabies shots.
Concerning distemper vaccinations, she had already her 3 puppy shots. The vet told me that I should return in 1 year for another distemper that has to be done yearly otherwise she might get distemper which is deadly. How much of this is true? Is her immunity good enough after her puppy shots to not require her entire life any more vaccinations or not. Previously I had another dog that lived to 14 years and she had just her puppy shots for her life."
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
[SIDE EFFECTS] 03/30/2009: Madeline from Milmay, NJ writes: "Hi, i am just wondering if anyone had a problem with dog leaking urine after a rabies shot? Never had the problem before , she is an old dog but it is funny she has the problem right after shot. Had a problem with her going both ways in the house and never did she do it all her life, i can't figure it out . I was wondering if it could of given her a bladder infection. would love any help i can get.."
RepliesEC: Hi, Madeline: Cross-posting your feedback to: http://www.earthclinic.com/Pets/incontinence.html
09/19/2009: Linda from Streator, Illinois replies: "I was also wondering about the incontinence after the rabbie shots. My 6 year old boxer recently had her 3 year rabies shot. She already was being treated for incontinence but after the rabie shot it became worse. The medicine didn't help. We have even increased it per the vets instructions. I was wondering what you found out. I just happened to read your post and I didn't really connect the problem with the shot till I read it. I would appreciate any information you have.
Thanks,
Linda"
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
[SIDE EFFECTS] 03/29/2009: Judy from Poyntelle, PA writes: "Yesterday, we took our 6 month old kitten to the vet for her Rabies shot. Today, she's lethargic and has no desire to play. Before the shot, she was very playful and energetic. I'm hoping that after some time, she'll be fine, but we're worried. We just adopted her from a shelter and she is just wonderful. Is there anything we should do? Or do we just wait?"
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
03/26/2009: Amy from San Francisco, CA, USA writes: "While I agree that we tend to over-vaccinate our dogs at the advice of our veterinarians, NOT getting a vaccination poses its own problems: I can't get my dog registered without proof of rabies shots given at the recommended schedule. How have others dealt with this issue?"
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
[SIDE EFFECTS] 03/23/2009: Dana from Green Valley, Arizona writes: "When I had my cat Joey vaccinated for rabies... he could not walk and was in alot of pain... I called my Vet and he said wait 24 hrs and he would be fine... he was but I am afraid to have him vaccinated again... he is an indoor cat so I don't think I will."
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
[SIDE EFFECTS] 03/01/2009: Erin from Omaha, Nebraska writes: "My cat Romeo got a three year Rabies shot about three weeks ago. He was okay at first, a little tired but still acting fine. Then two weeks later he began to be very lethargic, sleeps much more than usual, and seems weak. He rarely wants to play anymore. He barely eats or drinks anything and hasn't had a BM in over a week (He usually only goes once every 3 days because of his special food he's on). Also, when he sleeps he gets what looks like muscle spasms all over his whole body. I have called the vet and they insist it could not be from the vaccine. I am taking him to the vet again tomorrow. He still seems happy (i.e. purring and wanting to be held) but just isn't himself. Any advice??"
Replies03/05/2009: Trish from Austin, Texas replies: "I hope this bit of information helps and I'm sure if our Vet in Indianapolis, Indiana would have told my husband and me about http://www.catinfo.org website, we would still have our fifteen year old Izzy and been able to make our decisions based on invaluable information for cat lovers like us who want to be the best care givers possible."
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
[SIDE EFFECTS] 02/17/2009: Sherry from Longview, Washington writes: "Our Female scottie named Maggie got very ill after receiving her rabies shot. The vet wrote a note saying Maggie needs to be exempt from any future rabies shots. Maggie is now 7 and doing fine."
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
[SIDE EFFECTS] 02/11/2009: Dianna from Bailey, Virginia writes: "My cats received rabies vaccine several years ago. She had a severe reaction with swelling, hives, and not wanting to move. I had her to emergency three times to receive benedral, and steroids, to help her recover. I almost lost her. Since then I have been hesitant to get the vaccines. The last time she got it, they had to keep her overnight and give in very small doses along with several other medicines to try and help her not to have reactions to it. The vet's office said they have to do this with several of their pet patients, because of reactions. I've been hesitant to get my pets vaccinated. They are totally INDOOR cats but the vet's office insists that ITS THE LAW in VA. Apparently vets aren't allowed to treat pets for sickness, etc. unless they are up on their rabies shots in Virginia. I am highly concerned. Why should pets that are allergic be put through this trauma? (especially after reading it can cause complications after the shots years later). How can this law be changed?"
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
[SIDE EFFECTS] 02/09/2009: Marybeth from Coopersburg, Pa writes: "My cat was vaccinated for Rabies a few days ago. He has been limping on his left front leg and lethargic ever since. He was a perfectly happy, healthy cat before his vaccine. There is no sign of a break, no swelling, and no fever. However, he is miserable."
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
[SIDE EFFECTS] 02/09/2009: Deniece from Middletown, NY writes: "my 10 year old female pomeranian had her rabies shot yesterday. Today she is lifeless and has just layed around with no energy. Her leg is extremely sore to the point she can not walk up or down the stairs. I am not used to seeing her like this. She jumps and spins in circles when I get home and today, she just layed there and looked up at me with very sad eyes. That is what made me start to do research on the vacine and I found this site. I hope she starts to feel better soon. Please keep me posted with any results you may find regarding this vaccine."
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
 | 7 |  |