Booster Shot Side Effects

Most Recent Posts

Vaccination Side Effects in Dog

ph0t0journey365 (Camano Island, WA) on 02/04/2023
0 out of 5 stars

Our now 6 year old GSD has had side effects to his booster shots EVERY time, especially the rabies and distemper one, even if it is the three year booster. We have had him since he was four weeks old. He didn't seem to have any adverse reactions to his first set of shots, which was great. That last series of first shots where he was old enough to get the rabies and distemper shot was not fun. He exhibited flu like symptoms for months and had an ear infection that would not go away for almost six months. Then, he turned a little over a year old and had to get his booster rabies shot. Ear infection came back in less than 12 hours after the shot and did not go away for more than a year. Happened again with his third year rabies/distemper shot at age four. Now, we have gotten him his final booster set, including parvo/lepto and bordatella that an adoption agency made me get so we could bring home a beautiful Pyrenees boy last year and, after being ear infection free for almost another year or so, he is in pain all the time again with the ear infections. We are not talking something mild here, but an ear infection that has him yelping and crying every time he moves or scratches his head. We have been treating it with Olive Oil and Tea Tree Oil, gently warmed and rubbed into the ear, which seems to help, but we already know it isn't going to go away probably for another six months to a year. Aside from just plain rabies shots because we have to by law, I am not getting ANY of my dogs any other vaccines. This insanity has to stop. They are essentially making us kill our kids and pets.
REPLY   4      

Patricia (Texas) on 01/09/2020
0 out of 5 stars

I have a Chihuahua he is 2 years old he had his D.H.I.P Booster and Parvo/Corona on 1/8/2020 and his back right leg is real sore he can’t jump, he want eat and he is throwing up but he still wants to ride in the car and be hug on.
REPLY   3      

Booster Shot Side Effects

Patricia (Texas) on 01/09/2020
0 out of 5 stars

I have a Chihuahua he is 2 years old he had his D.H.I.P Booster and Parvo/Corona on 1/8/2020 and his back right leg is real sore he can’t jump, he want eat and he is throwing up but he still wants to ride in the car and be hug on.
REPLY   2      



Booster Shot Side Effects in Boxer

Shanon (Las Vegas, Nv) on 01/05/2016
0 out of 5 stars

Our 9 year old Boxer received several booster shots recently (approx 4 to 5 weeks ago).

My boyfriend's daughter works at a dog daycare/vet clinic and gets some services for free. She had mentioned this to us and said to let her know next time Roscoe needs anything. So we asked her about having his nails trimmed and she suggested she take him to work with her to have the service done. We said fine and off he went for the day.

When she brought him home she announced she'd had several boosters given to him and the vet had checked him for arthritis in his hips and blah blah blah. We were not thrilled and we've already decided next time we'll just pay someone to clip his nails because we feel she way overstepped her boundaries, but anyhow...

Beginning about a week after this all happened we noticed he smelled different. Not really foul, but different. He smells kinda like peanut butter with a dash of "dog needs a bath" smell on it.

Also we have noticed him occasionally dragging one foot (on the injection side) slightly and being a bit clumsy though his hind end. These symptoms neither of us have ever seen him exhibit before. We BOTH noticed.

REPLY   2      

Re: Bordetella Vaccination

Monie (Co) on 08/11/2015
0 out of 5 stars

My maltese died within 5 days of receiving vaccines.
REPLY   2      

Re: Distemper Shot Caused Cat's Death

Diana (California) on 05/08/2015

 I will never agree with any vet who wants to give my cat multiple shots. Possibly they no longer do it. But my great 16 pound LynxPoint Siamese whose big heart personality won over everyone who ever met him, was given multiple shots at a traditional vet and ever after that, came down in failing health until he died a few months later. During that time, I took him back to the vet and my cat tried to attack the fellow who gave him the shot. (He was good at this because he had practiced on dogs. For some reason, though he was a big mushball, he had it out for dogs and whenever he saw one, he would run and jump on their backs and dig in his claws. The dog would be in full alarm not knowing where the attacker was! My big cat got away with this multiple times. One day, when he was inside the house, a huge German Shepard came to the window. He was the largest G.S. I'd EVER laid eyes on. My cat saw him from a bedroom and took off like lightning heading for the dog. Fortunately, there was a sliding glass door window between the two. My cat didn't let that stand in his way. Leaping up towards the dog, he ended up spread-eagled on the window like a pancake. I gave thanks ...)

Later I read that multiple shots confuse the immune system and that down months later, cats come down with a problem. Owners don't make the connection back to the shots and the vet is never questioned or held responsible.

REPLY   3      

Vaccination Side Effects

Mel (Nsw, Australia) on 09/22/2014
0 out of 5 stars

I'm in Australia so we might have differing vaccines from the US but on 1 October 2013 my pure English Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Star, born 13 July 2013 had her first C5 vaccination, brand CANVAC, vaccinations for Living Canine Distemper virus, Adenovirus type 2 and Parvovirus type 2, Living Canine Parainfluenza Virus and Bordetella bronchiseptica.

Initially afterwards she was fine, and fell asleep. About five hours later she woke up yelping, like she was in pain and I could not touch her anywhere without her yelping. She could barely stand up, had no energy, when she tried to walk it was very, very slowly with limbs shaking. She was shaking very badly. We rang the vet and he tried to tell us she must have eaten some insecticide in the backyard (we had none). She ended up spending the evening/night on my lap mostly sleeping, yelping anytime I moved or she woke up. She was fine the next day.

When she was due for her next booster she was given an anti-histamine injection first and this helped, she was just sleepy after the vaccination, none of the other symptoms were present. Funnily enough the vet tried to pretend it must have been another vet with another brand until I showed him the vaccination certificate.

She had her C3 vaccination (Companion C3) at the breeders vet on 26 August 2013 with no complications.

REPLY         

Side Effects After Vaccines

Coleen (Brandon, Fl) on 10/16/2013
0 out of 5 stars

I took my chinese crested powderpuff in for his booster shots, heartworm test, dewormer. He has a bad case of hives now which I am treating with 1/2 a benedryl. It does seem to help some but he has been terribly uncomfortable. He is 101/2 and I am considering not having any more yearly boosters. I do hope this is only temporary.
REPLY   2      

Side Effects from Booster Shots for Cat

Marleyspark (Ozark, Missouri) on 05/31/2013
0 out of 5 stars

Our 12 year-old black tom-cat (12.4lb) was taken for his booster shots FELV, FVRCCP RABIES FELINE 1 YR BOOSTER. He was also given 2 worm pills and Frontline. This is usually an annual visit but last year I opted him out - with the opinion that, at his age, booster shots every year didn't seem 'right'. Today the vet told me that it would not be a problem that we had missed a year, so we went ahead and got the shots. First side effect (and least worrying) is that he got a ravenous appetite and went straight to his food bowl once home. Can put that down to nerves (he is nervous in nature).

Of most concern: 7 hours sleep later... At 6pm he is weak. His back legs are not supporting him very well and his back-end keeps keeling to one side; accompanied with rapid breathing. He looks very tired. His eyes seem a very teensy bit crossed. He is also 'swallowing' as if he has a sore throat (maybe this is due to the long implement placed down his throat to administer the two worm pills) - and he is Not interested in drinking water, but he ate some cat food. He managed to jump up onto a chair and doesn't seem to be feeling ill. The vet's response to these symptoms was, 'feed him and if he doesn't improve by tomorrow bring him in and we'll take a look at him'. I pray he's okay! Our other cat 'same age but female' had all the same treatments and she is completely fine.

REPLY   2      

Dog Vaccine Reaction

Kris (Las Vegas, NV) on 05/08/2013
0 out of 5 stars

I took I my 11 yr old sharpei mix for "annual vaccines" and within 7 days she had exploded with cancer and was dead. A year earlier, she had a hanging cancerous growth removed from near a nipple. The vet believed it had not spread. She showed no signs of any mammary involvement and was a healthy, active dog until the vaccines. Within 24 hours of the vaccines, she had labored breathing which worsened day by day. Within 4 days, large mammary masses appeared and her back legs swelled. One week to the day of the vaccinations, she died in the back seat of my car on the way to the vet for the 4th time that week (not the same vet that did the vaccines! ) I believe her immune system had been healthy and had kept the cancer at bay, but the vaccines affected her immune system and allowed the cancer to explode. I miss her terribly and blame the "4 in 1" for her death.
REPLY   2      

Mermaid7c (Naperville, Illinois) on 11/30/2012

I took my dog Josie to a vaccine clinic and she got a 3 way lepto/parvo/distemper shot (3 year). This was at 8PM August 1st. The next morning she was limping (on the leg whose shoulder got the shot). By noon her paw was curled up to her chest and here at the end of November she still can't use her leg. She's been xray'd, and treated with multiple medications. It seems to be nerve damage. She also started itching and her coat is very dry. The itching seems to be getting worse. Don't know if it was the shot or one of the treatments. I wish I'd read about these vaccines. I would have never taken her in. She doesn't live in the back yard with the skunks and raccoons, she sleeps on a pillow next to my bed. Anybody know anything that might help? She's a cocker spaniel/border collie rescue. I've had her 6 years, and she never had a problem or sick day in her life.
REPLY   3      

Susanne (St. Joseph, Mo Missouri) on 06/12/2012
0 out of 5 stars

I just got my 4 yr old mini doxie revac'd this Spring. He had rabies, distemper and bordatella(nasal). On my way home, the dog puked all over the car and all over me when I tried to help him out onto the grass. He was sick for several hours, slept most of the evening and was a little lethargic when he did go out to pee. He seemed fine the next day. I thought it might be a reaction to the shots but never thought of an allergic reaction. I just thought that maybe it was a little too strong for a mini guy. He was a rescue and I didn't know much about him and my other dog was much bigger.

Yesterday, I took my 12 yr old yellow lab to the vet for her shots... Same ones. We were going out of town and I needed to board both dogs so I got the bordatella(nasal) for her too. I was 5 blocks from home and she puked all over the back seat. Big dog, big mess. I pulled over and let her out and we stayed there thru 3 more upheavals. After about 20 minutes, there was no more and we headed home. Things promptly got worse after we got home. More puking was followed by my beloved Angel not being able to breathe normally. Her body was wretching while she strained so hard to get oxygen. Her tongue was hanging out, slobber everywhere and then her tongue turned purple. I had already realized this was a severe allergic reaction and we were in the car headed back to the vet. I didn't think I was going to make it in time. She was given an iv of prednisone and put on oxygen. For 2.5 hours I watched my old girl desperately try to get oxygen and there was nothing I could do but be there. Finally I saw some pink come back to her tongue and the breathing distress she was in, lessened. We bounced back and forth with breathing labored and getting calmer for another half hour before she finally was able to lay her head down and stretch out with minimal discomfort. Her breathing still wasn't right but she was so much better than before. The vet thinks that it was the nasal bordatella because it was her lungs that shut down. She has never had one before because I have never boarded her before. He put a red flag on her chart to make sure she was never given the nasal dosage again and told me there was a shot that could be given. I told him she would never have another shot for the rest of her life. NEVER! The prednisone was supposed to work in about 20 minutes.... NOT SO MUCH! She had 2 hours of oxygen with a very caring young man that laid on the floor with her to make sure the tube stayed near her mouth so she had pure oxygen. He even kissed her head and pet her as he could see the terror in her eyes also. I know that I almost lost my Angel Face and am very grateful that I had thought to look up symptoms these shots might cause(because of the puking) and happened to read this site. All it took was reading one story and we were on the road to the vet.

Thank you all for sharing and helping to save my dog, my best friend. Her "brother" Jax, the mini doxie will not ever have to go thru any of this either.

REPLY   2      

Vaccinations Causing Side Effects in Dog

Cinderella (The Villages, Florida) on 03/16/2012
0 out of 5 stars

I just want to say that last year I took my 11 year old poodle to the vet for her yearly shots, rabies, etc. And when I got her home she went into shock, I called the vet and he said bring her right in and they had to do something to save her life. I do not know what they did. She seemed fine after a few days, so once again I took her in this year and the same thing happened and now they are saying she has a thyroid problem, kidney problems, she is on an antibiotic and liver meds to the tune of 80.00 just for that. I can tell you that there is no question in my mind that it was the vaccines and I will never take her to the vet and get them again!!!!!

She is 12 years old now and I will let her live her life without them. She only goes in our yard to go potty and otherwise except for her walks is never out of the house and on her walks she is on a leash with us. So I am not worried about rabies, or kennel cough, etc. when I was a young lady growing up 50 years ago there was no such thing as taking your dog in for vaccines and they lived to be old old dogs of 14 yrs or more, so please watch those vaccines something is going on.

REPLY   3      

Rad

Laura (Lees Summit, Mo) on 01/23/2012
0 out of 5 stars

My dog Xander had a bad reaction to his yearly rabies and distemper vaccination. He is a German Short-hair Pointer, 11 years old, 66 pounds. He has been treated for several years for hip dysplasia, arthritis and urinary incontinence. This is the first time he had a bad reaction to rabies and distemper vaccinations. He got the shots in the morning. For the rest of the day and evening he would not walk without assistance and would not eat the food he loves in which I put his medicines. He lay down all day and night and held his head at an unusual angle. We thought he was going to die. The following day he seemed back to normal and we are grateful for that. In the future, we won't repeat these vaccinations for this particular indoor dog.
REPLY   2      

Dog Died After Canine Booster Shot

Brian (North Providence, Rhode Island) on 12/12/2011
0 out of 5 stars

The vet gave my dog ( pitbull) 5 year old male a canine booster shot knowing that he was ill. He had a lung disease called canine influenza and she still gave my dog the booster shot. The next night he stood up, cried, and then dropped to his death. I am wondering if you know if I have any options or recourse with this vet. I feel they killed my dog.
REPLY   2      

Need Advice for Dog Reacting to Distemper Booster

Delaine (Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts) on 11/05/2011
0 out of 5 stars

My toy poodle is running around like crazy and has been whining for several hours off and on. He must be in a lot of pain from a distemper booster shot he just received. He keeps digging and burying his head. How do we calm him down?
REPLY   1      

Advice Needed on Treating After Effects of Booster Shot

Niki (Atherstone, Warwickshire, England) on 11/05/2011
0 out of 5 stars

I have a Staffordshire Bull Terrier (boy) who is 22 months old. We bought him when he was about 9 weeks old. His skin and coat were in great condition. We took him for his first set of puppy jabs and shortly after that, he developed a skin rash, which got worse and covered his whole body. We spent 100's on him at the vets including skin scrapes, which did not reveal any problems. The vet then suggested biopsies, which after the skin scrapes and state I got him back in, I declined. I researched the net and thought that perhaps he was suffering from a poor immune system. So I started feeding him spirulina, echinacea and goldenseal tincture and biotin. After a couple of months of this, his skin and coat were in absolute tip top condition.

We decided that as he was not going to be stud, it would be fairer for him to be castrated which was done at the end of August this year. He was due for a booster so he had this when his stitches were taken out which was about two months ago. Within a week or so of having the booster, he started to get a couple of spots around his neck and head again, which have spread all over him and he constantly licks his feet. I have read some articles on the net, which suggest that maybe the booster was the cause. I have since phoned the vet, who was quite positive that the booster would not cause this reaction.

I just feel that it is too much of a coincidence that the all over body rash happened after his first booster then the second. It took ages to get him back to full health the first time round, which involved hypo-allergenic food (which he still eats), herbal treatments and trying different bedding, also buying a steamer to steam clean the house. I feel exasperated as I am back to square one with him. He is spotty, itchy and uncomfortable and I am bathing him and applying neem oil, continuing with the herbs and generally trying to make him as comfortable as possible.

I am wondering if there are any other herbal treatments I can try. I think that there has to be some connection with the booster as nothing else in his life has changed.

Any comments or advice would be appreciated. Thanks for listening.

REPLY   3      

Pitmom420 (Houston, Texas) on 11/04/2011
0 out of 5 stars

Got two of my dogs vaccinated for parvo/distemper at a local shelter clinic and within 10 days displayed all the signs of distemper. My pitbull, Max, is 6 months old and had it the worst of the 3 dogs - he was sick for nearly a month and there were at least 5 times we thought he was going to die on us.

He has managed to recover mostly but is still very clumsy, has diarrhea and overall looks very skinny and fragile.

If your dog contracts this virus, don't give up. Request Dioxycycline and Clavamox as well as supplelement the animal with 1/2 tsp of food grade diotomaceous earth in the food. I even used a nebulizer with Albuterol to get Max thru the respiratory phase. Don't be afraid to use DM cough suppressant and decongestant for stuffy noses and Benadryl for a runny nose. Flexiril and massage for facial tics or tremors as needed.

These poor dogs literally have 2 1 gallon ziplocs full of every medicine and supplement I could think of.

Max is ok for the most part - my German Shepard Charlie is only exhibiting the runny nose and has a facial tic on his right side that is permanent.

Your dog can recover with dedication and research on your part. I have realized sadly that MANY of the vets out there know NOTHING about distemper. You are going to have to be your own expert.

Good luck. People can email me at if they want advice:

gulfcoastmom8008(at)yahoo.com

Annie

REPLY   1      

Seizure After Vaccinations

Lynnette (Olympia, Wa) on 08/22/2011
0 out of 5 stars

I have an Italian Greyhound (neutered male) 3.25 years at time of vaccination. Tim had 2 vaccines Leptospirosis and Bordetella, both by injection. 14 hours later he had a status-epilepticus seizure that endured 1 hour.

After the single seizure he was placed on Phenobarbital. I now work with a holistic vet and have moved him to Sodium Bromide and supplements.

REPLY   1      

Parvo/ Distemper Shot Caused Cancerous Tumor

Renee (Hoiuston, Tx) on 05/27/2011

Hi, I have a 9 year old Female Chihuahua who recently had a complete physical, with a senior blood panel and heart ultrasound for a murmur... She got an A clean bill of health. 3 weeks later I noticed she did not get her Parvo/Distemper vaccine and since I had just rescued a 13 year old dog from a shelter I was concerned that my Chihuahua should get the Parvo vaccine. I brought her back for 1 Parvo/Distemper vaccine. That night she had a swelling the size of a golf ball in the injection area. The vet told me it was some sort of reaction and to wait and it would eventually go away. Well, 4 weeks later and I brought her back to the vet and they decided to biopsy it. It was Malignant Mesanchymal CT Neoplasm....CANCER.

Now my poor baby is scheduled for Surgery on Wednesday and I have no Idea what is next. I have no doubt it was from that vaccine and I dont know how to prove it... I am a complete mess. I have tightness in my chest and a lump in my throat. I am devistated. Do you have any suggestions???

REPLY