The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects
Posted by Lindadoeshair (Wi) on 07/20/2010
We took our 8 yr old yorkie poo in for his rabies shot, one day after he cant eat, diarrhea, vomiting for 2 days after, now 5 days after shot and he still can not eat, the vet put fluids under the skin and told us to give him pepsid and a diarrhea pill. Took ex rays and nothing showed up. They doubt its from the shot, but Rocko was healthy and full of life before the shot. We are scared, from the info on the web about side effects, we had no idea of the side effects and or death. We will never give the shot to him again, if he lives that is.
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects
Posted by Whitney (Chantilly, Va) on 06/10/2010
Death After Rabies Vaccine
My beloved, 14 year old indoor Persian cat had a reaction to 2 vaccines given together in 2000. She never had two shots together again, and she had an antihistamine before any shot, but I limited what vaccines she had. I wish she'd have had nothing further.
She had a 3 year rabies shot in 2006. She was due for a booster shot last August & I let the deadline pass. She had a great winter - eating like a champ.
After nearly a year away from any vet visits, I took her into a new vet for a check up on February 11, 2010. The vet assured me that they only used the Merial Purevax 1 year vaccine without the adjuvant that had been linked to sarcoma. Apart from sarcoma, I was mainly worried about any immediate reaction, but she did not have one - that day.
At the Feb. 11 appt., she had blood work, then a follow up urinalysis on Feb. 28. Everything was normal. Importantly, her bilirubin was negative.
By early March, she was putting her ears down slightly. Then she began eating less. She was losing weight and we could feel her backbone. I raced into the vet & they said she was refusing food because she was upset that we had just moved 10 miles. Absurd. She's lived in many places with us, including Germany. Her bilrubin was now 25. She was jaundiced. It turned out she had pancreatic cancer that was blocking her bile ducts. She never woke up from surgery.
Her name was Reesie G. She was a Tortie & her little tongue stuck out naturally. She was the most wonderful, loving, joyful pet. Like the most faithful dog, she ran to my husband when he came in the house & did rolls of happiness for us on the rug in front of the fireplace. We are devastated. I would do anything to go back to Feb. & not let them give her that vaccine. ReesieG, Mommy loves you. I pray I will be able to see you again in heaven, where I know you are.
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects
Posted by Lisa (Wichita Falls, Texas) on 06/14/2010
To Whitney from Virgina,
I am soooo sorry for your loss!I have lost many pets over the years. And it sucks basically. It hurts and you feel like your heart will break when you breathe. I wish that I could say something to make you feel better, but there is nothing. It does get better though, I promise. It still hurts when I think of all the critters that I have loved and lost over the years. But, not like it used to. I love animals! No matter what they are. I have been where you are and I am very sorry. I have heard that the spirits of animals and children go straight to where they are supposed to be because they are inocent and without sin. So yes,your little furry one is in Kitty heaven. I truly believe in this.
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects
Posted by Copper Tree (Waukesha, Wi) on 06/07/2010
We took our Welsh Corgi puppy in for his rabies vaccination when he was about 5 months old. Within a few hours his face swelled up like a balloon. He didn't seem to be in great distress but he looked awful. We had to put him on antihistamine and the swelling came down within a couple of hours. It was not a fun experience.
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects
Posted by Theresa (Durham, Nc) on 04/20/2010
Reaction to rabies shot
I saw bruising on my dog and I thought she might have fallen. so to be safe I took her to vet to make sure she didn't injure herself inside. Turns out the shot cause her to have a problem with her blood (autoimmune) she is now being treated. i wish I would have known that this could have happen.
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects
Posted by Kat (Peoria, Arizona, U.s.) on 04/08/2010
Rabies Booster Side Effects
In order to comply with my county's dog licensing laws, I took my adopted from rescue golden retriever to her vet for her rabies booster yesterday. She was her usual bouncy, playful, full of fun self before, during and after the appointment, but today she has been severely lethargic, not wanting to "get up" this morning to have her breakfast (she typically wakes me up in the morning, "hounding" me to get out of bed to feed her and play), and I had to call her three times so she would come out of the bedroom to eat. Since then, she has been in the same spot for hours except to drink two full bowls of water. I have had two other dogs and never experienced this kind of thing with either one, although I know that each dog is different. I called my vet's office and was told to give my dog an aspirin, but she's still so limp and lifeless, like a poorly stuffed animal, like someone gave her too much of a tranquilizer.
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects
Posted by Eileen (Needham, Ma) on 03/31/2010
My 6 month old male akita puppy was given a rabies shot and developed a bacterial skin infection that was entering his blood stream. He became very ill 3 days after the shot. He could not sleep at night and was restless during the day. His skin had a terrible odor and we could not touch him. He yelpt in pain for weeks. He was treated with antibiotics and improved with the bacterial skin infection, but the restlessness and sleepless nights continued. He had liver damage as well. He did not sleep for 2 months at night. He has been scratching his fur off his elbows and ankles daily that the elbows bleed daily. The homeopathy treatments are working and he is now more restful and his liver is working normally, thanks to the homeopathy. I was wondering if anyone else had this experience?
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects
Posted by Tru (Hardeeville, Sc) on 02/21/2010
I have a miniature Dachshund weighing 8 pounds and yesterday she just received her Rabies vaccination. This morning she is sleepy and lethargic and will not get out of her bed. After much research I can conclude she will not be getting another Rabies vaccination as she is a totally indoor dog.
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects
Posted by Ssumrz1 (Adrian, Mi) on 02/21/2010
my 3 yr old shih tzu received her annual rabies vaccination in November of 2009. Since then she has had increasing behavior problems. She has always been a real playful and affectionate dog, but now has started exhibiting very aggresive behavior, snarling, growling and snapping at my grandchildren as well as my husband and myself for no apparent reason. Is there anything that we can do to reverse this behavior? As much as I love my dog, I love my grandchildren more and do not want them hurt. Help!!!!
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects
Posted by Karla (Upstate Ny, USA) on 02/21/2010
Hi, have you ruled out lack of exercise? My parents' german shepherd started having aggression issues around the same age and they finally brought a trainer in to help. The first thing the trainer did was tell them to walk the dog for at least 40 minutes a day! That worked fabulously as he wasn't getting enough exercise roaming the back yard. If your girl is getting plenty of exercise and still having aggression issues, then check into a deficiency of some kind in her diet that might be causing it. Good luck to you and please give us an update!
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects
Posted by Marvin (Green Bay, Wi) on 02/06/2010
Rabies Shots/Dog Dies
Thank you for this oppotunity to ask you my question.
We had the vet give out dog(mixed breed of maybe Austrailian Shepard/Border Collie/German Shepard) a rabies booster shot. This was about the 3rd one she had. Not too long after she developed Addisons Disease. Could this have resulted from having the rabies booster shot?
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects
Posted by Erica (Boston, Ma) on 01/18/2010
Side effects from rabies vaccine
My 2 yr old shih tzu got his second rabies vaccine along with his distemper.We never had any problems last year when he got his 1st set of shots. This time within 1 week he was shaking all over and he had a lump at the injection site. It's been 3 months and he is still shaking. He has never been the same since that day. When I took him back to the vet she said he was fine. So, I am now going for a 2nd opinion. This is horrible. I was only trying to keep my dog safe.
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects
Posted by Tina (New Braintree, Ma, Usa) on 12/20/2009
My 10 year old cat, who was perfectly healthy (not just another cat but my soul mate) receieved a rabies booster shot, within 4 months she was dead from severe liver damage. Any information you have regarding this would be appreciated. Do you think that the shot could cause this?
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects
Posted by Viv (Wixom, Mi. Usa) on 09/06/2010
I'm responding to you for two reasons: 1) I too, once lived in New Braintree, Ma, & 2) My Son's beautiful orange&white male cat was just put down today! Went to a Vets office because of a small flea problem, received a steroid shot, & since he hadn't been in a while to the Vets received other shots. Also, I want to add, the Vet told my son, "Other than a small flea problem, your cat is in perfect health. " This visit was on a Thursday, by Monday we, my son and myself had to put him down!!!! HOW HORRIBLE!
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects
Posted by Rina (Ashland, Ma) on 12/19/2009
I took my perfectly healthy Maltese for his required by law RABIES shot to the Vet. Before the shot he was surprised how healthy he was. I feed him dog kibbles, shredded carrots and three drops of fish oil daily. He drinks water and has one cup of food daily. He is 12 pounds. He took a couple of blood tests and while there I decided that he was due for his RABIES shot. The VET gave him his shot and I paid my $175.00 fee for his visit. When I went to the car, he had a reaction that put him into a shock - I ran back into the hospital and they had to give him intravenous, steroids, and benadryl, he was at death's door. He was in the hospital all that day. I picked him up and had another bill of $155.00 dollars. I spoke to the Vet about this and his statement was "I could have put him down, but I brought him back". I was shocked at that statement. He was perfectly well when I brought him in - now I have to pay an additional payment because he did me a favor by reviving him? What are the results of this reaction? He told me that the blood tests that were taken prior to the Rabies shot found that his kidney count was very high and that he would have to go on a special food called KD by prescription. Can't I make special food for him? He seems to be okay, but has been lethargic, his kidneys are functioning fine and he lets me know when he has to go out. Can you help me? I adore my dog and I want him to live out his years in good health - how can I do that?
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects
Posted by Suzanne (Jackson, Mi) on 12/18/2009
Our dog, Lily had her Rabies vaccination on Monday 12/14, by Tuesday night she was very lethargic, and all week she just lies there and cries and whines and has a hard time getting up. Once she is up, she seems ok, but definitely not her usual self. She is moving very slowly. She is only 5 and a golden retreiever, normal weight and never has had a reaction to a shot or medication before. Does anyone know if they get better???? What do you do? We are going to the vet today.
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects
Posted by Connie (San Dimas, Ca, 91773) on 08/29/2010
My 4 year old Puggle had her rabies shot on Tuesday, noticed she was mellow that night but the next day she was lethargic, sore, wouldn't jump up or down on bed, and had a seizure called the vet they said to just watch her, by thursday she was moving down the stairs slower than normal and by friday when I got home from work she was completely paralyzed from the waist down. The vet that gave her the shot said they were closing early to take her to the animal hosp. Had an x-ray and they said it could be a back disc issue. It has been 2 days $600.00 later and they really dont know. She has no control over her bowel movements, we have to stand her up to pee and squeeze her stomach and as far as pooping, she just goes on herself and we have to clean her up. I just dont undertstand how we had a perfectly healthy dog and after the rabies shot everything went bad and they blame it on a disc. I think the vet hit a nerve or something. If anyone has any advice I would love to hear it.
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects
Posted by Arthur (Park Rdige, Illinois) on 12/16/2009
Had my dog vaccinated with three year rabies vaccine. Since then about one month he has been throwing up all food. Also if not fed for a day or so as vet suggested, he throws up a clear or sometime foamy very slimy throwup. Also he has almost lost control of hind leg(s) and has a hard time walking. VCet said to give my dog pipcod AC to settle his stomach, this has not helped. My dog weighed 99 pounds two weeks ago and had lost 15 pounds, now he is 84 pounds. Vet seems to be bewildered.
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects
Posted by Suzanne (Glendale, California) on 12/11/2009
I just wanted you to be aware of the death of my beautiful Malamute, Sasha. She was 10 years young and so full of life and energy. In the morning, I took her to the local pet shop vaccination clinic for her regular rabies booster shot. She was prancing, dancing, and ahooing to everyone in the store. By the afternoon she acted like she had the flu, and the next morning fell over in the back yard like a tree in the forest. She was foaming at the mouth with shallow breathing. I tried to resuscitate her. My husband said it was a heart attack. The vet took no responsibility. I learned through research on the internet that older dogs often have compromised immune systems and because of the type of rabies vaccination they use that's what killed her. I warn everyone with an older dog, do not give them the shots. Sasha was in perfect health before she was given the shot. I miss her so much.
EC: How very sad. We are so sorry for your loss.
Deirdre
