While there is a risk of potential reactions when vaccinating your dog, the benefit of lifelong protection against serious diseases far outweighs that risk. In this blog post, our San Diego vets discuss dog vaccinations and the potential side effects of vaccine reactions.
The Importance of Vaccines
Most pet owners take their pets to the vet for shots and to get their annual exams. Although some dogs leave the office and never have issues or problems with the vaccinations, other dogs receive an injection and experience various side effects, such as your dog being lethargic after shots. Most side effects are mild and should subside within 24 hours.
The typical vaccines for dogs include rabies, adenovirus, distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, corona, and parainfluenza. For most dogs, the benefits of appropriate vaccination far outweigh the risks. However, as is often true in medicine, it is possible for dogs to experience side effects from their vaccines.
Vaccine reactions in dogs can be stressful and scary for you as a pet parent, but they will be less so if you know what to watch for and how to react.
How & When Vaccines Are Administered
Typically, vaccines are administered to dogs through injection using a needle. However, certain vaccinations and circumstances may require a nasal spray, such as the Bordetella vaccine for dogs younger than eight weeks old.
Potential Vaccine Reactions
It is normal for dogs to have mild reactions to routine vaccinations. While seeing your dog react to a vaccine can be worrisome, these reactions are usually mild and short-lived. Being aware of potential vaccine reactions and knowing what to do if your dog shows serious signs of a reaction can help reduce vaccine-related stress.
Lethargy
The most common reaction dogs experience after vaccinations is a feeling of malaise, lethargy, or discomfort, often accompanied by a mild fever. Many people would describe this feeling as "off." This reaction is your dog's immune system responding appropriately to the vaccine. These symptoms are quite typical and should only last one or two days. Contact your vet if your dog returns to normal energy levels after a few days.
Lumps & Bumps
If your dog receives the injectable form of the vaccine, lumps and bumps can occur, especially around the injection site. A small, firm bump may develop, as well as some tenderness and stiffness in the area. These bumps result from your dog's immune system rushing to fight irritation at the injection site.
That said, any time the skin is punctured, there is a chance of infection. Be sure to monitor the site where the injection was given. Look for signs of swelling, redness, discharge, and pain. If left untreated, infected areas may lead to more serious conditions. If you notice the area becoming increasingly red or showing any of the symptoms listed above, contact your vet.
Sneezing & Nasal Congestion
This reaction can be common if your dog receives the Bordetella vaccine as a nasal spray. This reaction encompasses several symptoms that appear much like a cold, including coughing, sneezing, and a runny nose. Most dogs recover from these symptoms within a day or two. If your dog is showing more severe symptoms or does not recover within a couple of days, it's time to call the vet.
Severe Reactions to Vaccinations
If your dog has any reaction to its vaccines, it should be mild and only last a short while. On rare occasions, your pet may experience a severe reaction, and it is important to know what these reactions look like.
The most common of these exceedingly rare reactions is anaphylaxis. This is a severe allergic reaction characterized by facial swelling, hives, vomiting, breathing issues, diarrhea, and itchiness in your dog. This reaction typically occurs within a few minutes or hours of your dog receiving a vaccine but may take up to 48 hours to appear.
If your dog shows any symptoms of anaphylaxis after receiving vaccinations, contact veterinarian to arrange emergency care as soon as possible.
Preventing a Dog's Reaction to Vaccines
Vaccines help protect your pup's long-term health and well-being, preventing diseases from arising in the first place. The risk of your canine companion having a serious adverse reaction to vaccination is relatively low.
If your dog has previously reacted to a vaccine, always inform your vet before your pup receives another round of vaccines or boosters. The vet may advise you to skip a certain vaccine in the future to mitigate risks.
The risk of reactions to vaccinations increases somewhat when multiple vaccinations are given simultaneously. This can be particularly true in smaller dogs. To help reduce the risk of reactions, your vet may suggest splitting vaccines up to limit the risk of a reaction.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.