Vaccine reactions
 

So I know that most vaccine reactions happen within the first hour. Joey had lots of pain when he was a pup with his vaccines and would shake and not act well so this time when he got his rabies he is 10 pound instead of the 5 he was last year I thought everything would be better but I got pain meds for him anyway. He did great last night and was acting completely normal but this morning he started the shaking so I gave him his pain meds and he is walking around but kinda blah and not really wanting to eat. Luckily he won't have to get that shot again for 3 years but he still has two move vaccines to go. What should I do? Has anyone had this issue?

The shaking could be a delayed reaction to the vaccination. I'm guessing that the lethargy and loss of appetite is due to the pain medication you gave Joey. You might try to take him off the pain medication to see if he gets his appetite back and to see if the shaking has gone away. If the shaking comes back, you should see the vet.

I haven't had any personal experience with shaking after Bella's vaccinations, but she did get very sleepy. She was better the next morning. She lost her appetite when treated with pain killers (Metacam) following her spay, so we had to decide whether to keep her pain-free but not eating, or in pain but with a healthy appetite. Since we were worried about her weight, hypoglycemia, etc., we stopped the Metacam and she got her hunger back and didn't seem to be in pain. It's kind of a trade-off or balancing act.

Cody had Rabies, distemper and Lime, lime booster I spaced them two weeks apart, thankfully no reactions from any of the vaccines.

He had the Metacam when he was neutered and had no issues with it so I figured it would be fine. He only was supposed to have it yesterday and today. About two hours after he got it today he started running around and acting better. He is not shaking and yelping when you touch it anymore so I guess the pain meds did help. I'm definitely going to bring it up with the vet when we go back. I'm not used to dogs having big issues with vaccines none of the ones I grew up with had issues although they were much bigger and Callie usually only gets a little grumpy and wants to sleep for the rest of the day and not really be messed with but is fine the next day. At least there not yearly shots so we only have to do this every three years after this.

None of the dogs I grew up with had reactions either. Callie just gets a little grumpy and sleepy and doesn't want you messing with her for the rest of the day and is fine the next day. Joey is a mama's boy and hes the smallest dog I have ever owned so I worry about him a lot! He's 10 pounds which is still big for a yorkie but still small and tiny to me.

Cody is a rescue, we're a team 3 years now so rabies and distemper were due, I didn't know what reaction he would have reason I spaced the 4 vacs out, thankfully he had none. I hear ya about Joey being 10 Lbs. My last girl Matese was 17 Lbs. Cody is 12, tiny to me after 17 years with a 17 Lb yorkie lol. Glad to hear Joey is back to his bad lil self.

I might be completely out to lunch, but I vaguely recall my vet or breeder suggesting that some vaccines can be given in two doses? If it's possible, perhaps that would help reduce the negative reaction?

Anytime there is some sort of reaction (mild to severe), you'd want to just go ahead and give oral Benadryl about 45mins prior to the shot - it will mitigate the body's reaction and will really make a big difference. There is nothing wrong w/ giving him Benadryl every single time he gets a vaccine.

You could even give one today, in case there is still some histamine release occurring.

Some years back when I had my two females, it was vaccine time, I can't recall what they were for. I had to sign a form acknowledging the dogs "could" have a reaction. It was two different vaccines. My youngest one was around 6 years old, the oldest about 11 yo. The youngest one was fine after the two vacs. The older had a reaction, she was falling over in the exam room, she was swept away, they were going to give her a reverse shot, I had to leave her for 4 hours. The older girl passed away two years later, so I had the one girl. What ever the vacs were, and when ever she needed them she always got the two at the same time and never a reaction. She passed away at 17 years old. Now I have Sir Cody, and found YT shortly after adopting him. I read from many, many members to NOT give two vaccines at the same time, do one, wait two weeks for their system to process it then get the second shot. Not knowing how Cody would react to two vaccines at the same time, and remembering what happened to my older girl that left me crying for 4 hours and in a state of fear for my senior girl, I decided to follow the advise of YT members and give one vaccine and wait the two weeks for the second one. So it cost me one extra vet visit, but I had peace of mind. If Cody had a reaction from a vaccine, at least I would know which one it was.

I think I'm going to do that especially when he goes back in two weeks. Should I give him some before we go or have the vet just give him a shot of it?

I have always given mine Benadryl at least 30 minutes before we leave for Vet when ever Vac's are to be given. Thank heavens it's only every 3 years here for all Vac's.

He was just due for puppy boosters so after his Dap it will be every three years thank goodness. Is there a weight to dosage chart for Benadryl some where?

My vet would be very willing to not give these vaccines for another 5 years, rather than 3. Except of course rabies which is illegal to not get every 3 years :rolleyes: but if it were me, I'd finish up his one-year booster round (he's 1 right?) and give the Benadryl beforehand and then stall for a while so you don't have to worry about it since they're not required by law.

Jackson's always been sensitive so we usually give something beforehand (and like yours, obviously you know he's a big boy at 18lbs) and it's a very scary thing w/ ANY kind of reaction (after his reaction to lepto as a pup, I was *terrified*... he got wobbly, back legs weren't working right, he threw up, I thought he was going to die, plus he was my first pup on my own). So I just do where I know he is still protected against these horrible diseases but also not putting him through anything unnecessary.

Yeah he is one. I stopped doing anything but rabies and bordatella with Callie after she turned 7. I never had a dog that had reactions before Joey so I'm like ummm what do I do now. I didn't even try Lepto with Joey I figure he would have had a reaction to that too.

Yeah, I'd honestly give it with every single vax he gets going forward. I'd skip the shot and just give it yourself PO, 30-45 mins prior. The dose is 1-2mg/lb. I'd give the 1mg dose this time, see how it goes - but do feel comfortable to give the 2mg as well. If there is ever a bug sting - always then give the 2mg dose.