Shaking/Panting - Help Please
 

I posted a week ago. Sadie will be six in July. Last Tues. I took her in for her annual shots. She had the rabies and booster shots all at once.

I brought her home and she was fine until the next day. Since then, she has not been herself, but the vet's nurse said this sometimes happens with small dogs and shots.

Yesterday, I was feeding her dinner and a lid fell off the countertop and onto the floor, next to where she was eating. Seconds later, she was pawing at my knees and wanted up. I held her, and since then she shakes and pants, off and on.

I used some anti-anxiety drops that the vet gave me two years ago, as she has separation anxiety. But, she is hardly ever alone so I never used it until today. Within minutes she was very calm, but it only lasted about an hour.

I am going to get her into see my vet tomorrow, but can anyone tell me if they have had this problem, and do you think it is related to her shots that she had a week ago.

Thank you so much.

Kate

I'm sorry
 

that your little dog is having such a bad time since the booster shots were given.
It sounds like she has been traumatized from something that happened there. Was she with you the entire time, or did they take her into the back for her shots, or for something else?
Is she a very tiny yorkie?
Has she ever reacted like this before?
What did your vet say about this?
Are you in an area where there are a lot of choices for different vets?
I wuld never let them give all shots at the same time again, as this could be a reaction to her shots. Break them up by a week or so. Yorkies are so small, they just cannot process the shots all at once, at least that is what I believe.
Please keep us posted.
Sue & Cricket
:aimeeyork

I would see another vet for a second opinion if this keeps up. I would keep her close and be sure she is OK, and not get her stressed out.

VERY good post! The first thing out of my mouth was "OH MY!". Then a lot of the same questions came flooding through. I am glad you are going to the vet tomorrow. Until then, I'd hold her a lot to keep her calm. Please update us. I will pray that there won't be any lasting affects for any reason whatsoever.

So sorry to hear about Sadie. It does sound like a reaction to her shots. There is a growing body of evidence that annual shots aren't necessary and in fact, may be quite harmful. Tests show that antibody levels for most shots remain high enough to provide immunity for 5 to 7 years and even longer in some cases. In most states, the rabies shot must be, by law, a 3 year duration vaccine. It seems like the consensus now would be to have the puppy shots, then the first adult booster 1 year later and then boosters only every 3 years after. This seems to be a compromise protocol as much research indicates that the dog can safely go longer between boosters. At Sadie's age, you may want to consider that she not get any more boosters except for the required rabies. I'm not trying to give you veterinary advice but there have been many recent threads on here about over-vaccination that you can search out. Also, you can google 'over vaccination in dogs' and get some great information. I changed vets some time ago because of this very subject and encourage everyone to research this topic so you can make an informed decision on the vaccination protocol best suited for your dog. :aimeeyork :animal-pa :animal-pa :animal-pa :animal-pa :)

Hi everyone, and thanks for your replies.

For some reason, I cannot reply individually, so I hope this works.

I was with her the entire time. She is due for teeth cleaning next Tues. but I am cancelling that until she is back to normal.

She weighs 6 lbs., and always gets sleepy after her shots, but usually she is fine the next day.

I am never going to take her in for all of her shots at once ever again.
Now, I am afraid to even take her for any shots, but in WA state rabies shots are mandatory.

She adores my parents, and they just left. She was calm almost the entire time they were here, but did shake a few times.

I am keeping a close eye on her, and calling the vet in the AM.

Thank you all.

Good luck with your little one. Sounds like you have it under control until tomorrow when you see the vet. Best wishes. :)

Thank you so much.

Right now she is resting, and seems very relaxed.

Somehow I have a feeling that she was over vaccinated, and that these
symptoms may take awhile to get better.

I hope I am right.

It makes me so sad to see her like this.

I have a little one who hAS THIS SAME "PROBLEM" . Sunshine used to get 1/2 dose of her shots at a time to help her from getting the shakes. Now they give her a 1/2 teaspoon of benadryl 30 minutes before her shots and it has helped. She still gets the shakes but I always knopw when it is going to happen. Every Tuesday morning at 6 am.. She shakes for about an hour.. that is how long it takes until she cannot hear the dreaded "garbage trucvk" any longer. She starts shaking as soon as it comes into our neighborhood and continues shaking until it leaves the street behind us. Some dogs are just scared of some things. She also does it when we go on a trip and stop in a rest stop. She will NEVER go potty in a rest stop because she can hear the big trucks..

Your baby is adorable.

Nothing scares my girl. When I first got her, we went to an antique store and she went to the bathroom very close to a moving train. She did not even know me, but she loves everyone. She would be very easy for someone to pick up, so I have to be very careful with her.

It is so sad to see them shake. We love and care for them, but I just wish they could talk.

Thanks for your feedback. It all helps. What a great group we have at YT.

I didn't post on the earlier thread because you had already received excellent advice and information to read but I did think Kate probably did not need any of those shots. She is almost six years old and is being vaccinated year after year. As the others have mentioned, for most shots immunity lasts for years and sometimes for life. Giving boosters over and over doesn't provide better protection...if they are immune, you can't make them more immune...but you can cause harm.

These are just some symptoms of rabies vaccinosis...
Clingy behavior, fear to be left alone. Follows owner from room to room. Wants physical contact.

I had Gus vaccinated as a puppy and the booster shots at one year. We now get titers done each year and he has not needed any shots since (he's almost four years old).
When I discussed vaccinations with my vet, one of the first things we talked about was which diseases are a concern in our area. They were just parvo and distemper. Then, our lifestyle and what Gus is exposed to such as parks, groomers, strange dogs, wild animals. Still, parvo and distemper.

My point is your vet should be helping you figure out what boosters Kate really needs (if any at this point). She received Distemper, Hepatitis, Lepto, Parainfluenza, Parvo, Corona and Rabies. Is she really at risk for all of these? Is she still immune from her previous shots?

I can't answers these questions but if your vet tells you she needs all these shots again next year, my advice would be to get some opinions from other vets first.

Sorry about the long post. :cool:

over vaccination
 

[I'm quite sorry that Sadie has had such a time. I concur that over vaccination can happen. In my 3 lb. Yorkie and now in my 4 lb. Yorkie, they were both given only half the amount of their boosters. With my Chihuhua, who is much tinier, her shots were not even given to her until she was a larger size. I just had to keep her inside or off the ground until that could happen. My opinion would be to seek out a different vet and find out if annual boosters are mandatory in your state. If Sadie was traumatized at this vet, I would certainly seek out another vet...preferably one who specializes in small dogs. I wish you the best. :)COLOR="Navy"][/COLOR]

Oops, I meant Sadie. I'm positive you, Kate, don't need any of these shots. :D Sorry about that.

I appreciate that you took the time to create a long post. I also printed this out, as it is very informative.

Sadie has been more clingy than before, and she always follows me from room
to room, and has separation anxiety. She is my shadow. LOL But, the clingy part is definitely a change for her.

I called my vet's nurse this AM. Sadie is so much better, but I wanted her to know and she said, "Boy, we don't like to hear this and you should have brought her right in". But, I did call two days after her shots and told her about her symptoms, and she told me to give her a baby aspirin and that it would take alittle time for her to get over this. That is when she threw up twice, and I called her back, and she said most dogs don't vomit from the shots, and that it was from the aspirin. Crazy!

I expressed my concern next year, although she won't need the rabies for three years now. But, I feel it was the booster shot that threw her for a loop.
She said I can discuss that with the vet when I bring her in next year. I think all vets should ask ahead of time i.e., exposure to groomers, strange dogs, etc.

Your post was very informative, and I thank you so much for that.

I also have cancelled her teeth cleaning session until another month or so.

Thank you.

Kate

You're welcome. I'm happy if I helped in any way. I kind of wimped out at the end because I'm just not comfortable telling anyone what I think is best for their dog but I believe she is protected for years now and giving them each year is not only unnecessary but might end up harming her. Most people think once they recover from the initial illness from a shot they are fine. They don't connect the long term illnesses with overvaccinating.

As woogie man stated in his post even the new protocol for boosters every 3 years is a compromise between what the research is proving and what a lot of vets will accept. So to give them every year, in my opinion, is crazy. There I admitted it.

Keep researching this and you'll find what's best for your girl.

Thank you. Your avatar is adorable.

I left Sadie with my parents for two hours today, and when I came home they told me she is not herself. She did not follow them around the house, and just laid on her pillow.

I talked to my vet this AM, and we felt all was OK. This has changed, and I see the vet in one hour. I love my vet, and live in a very small town, so wish
me luck with my little girl.

I will post on the outcome.

Wishing you luck and I hope Sadie feels better soon. Please let us know.

Bless her little heart. That is so terrible. Its getting to the place I am afraid of everything they do. (vets) I have always really trusted my vet but they sent me a reminder for the Bordetelia booster. I took Tina back in for hers, Kayla for hers, and I am considering not taking Mandy in because I just read where this shot is suppose to last for 7 yrs. Its bad when even the vaccinations are a concern. I hope that baby gets to feeling better. I know its so hard to see them sick.

You're confusing them. For some, immunity does last for 7 years or more but not the Bordetella vaccine. It helps protect them from getting Kennel Cough. This shot is usually required by boarding kennels and groomers. It's for dogs that often come in contact with other dogs.

The trouble with this shot is the immunity only lasts around 6 months. There are many different strains and the shot only protects against a small percentage. They can still get Kennel cough with the vaccine.
This shot is a lot like the flu shot humans get.

I know it can be confusing and scary but the more you learn the more confident you'll feel. I love vets (had an amazing one in the family) but it's important to have as much knowledge possible so you can work together to provide the best care for your pet. No one knows your animals better or cares about them more than you.

Sadie Update
 

I spent about 20 mins. at the vet's office tonight.

He checked Sadie's heart, ears, etc. He also checked for broken bones,
and infected teeth. He could not find anything wrong, and said it is very unusual for her to still be having a reaction to the shots, if this is indeed what happened.

He thinks maybe her joints hurt from the shot, and he gave her an injection to fight inflammation. If this has helped, then I go back tomorrow AM for anti-inflammation pills. If she is still shaking, then we will do a blood workup.

She did drop in weight from 6.4 lbs. from her last visit to 5.8, but she should be around 5.5 lbs. so this is OK, providing she does not lose anymore weight.
She does have an appetite thank goodness.

Thanks everyone for your help/concern, and I hope to know more tomorrow.

In the meantime, I am wondering if this should have been posted in the
"Sick and Injured" category????

Good news. I'm happy that there is at least one non-invasive treatment option for you right now. A good appetite is good news too. Wishing you the best.

I'm glad you took her to the vet but if she's still having symptons I would be getting a full blood panel just for precautions...
Was lepto vaccine given? If so, that could cause a major reaction! I give puppy shots and then at a year old I give one year boosters and the rabies shot and that's it for here on out...I know it's a law for a rabies shot but I'm so glad my vet leaves that decision up to me. I only revaccinate the rabies after 3 years only if I'm flying with my dog....
I always give baby benadryl before and after a rabies shot...
Good luck and keep us posted on your baby.
Donna Bird
Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers

Thanks puppyluv, you are right. I was confusing it with Adenovirus. It still scares me that our babies are being too medicated. I just a paranoid mama, what can I say?

Another Sadie Update
 

Sadie did not shake before 11a, so I followed the vet's advice. I went back and got her some anti-inflammatory meds. The vet feels maybe she has muscle soreness due to the shots.

Around 4p, I came home with grocery bags, and the bags with canned food in them were left on the floor, near her dog dish, where the plastic lid had fallen a few nights before that. I had a hair appt. so I left them as I was running late.

At 5:30P, I fed her, and she came sort of running through the dining room, and she spotted the bags. She shook off and on for three hours after that.

At 9:30P, I got on the computer and moved her dish into the den. She ate more than half of her food.

I think she is quite skittish, and acts like she fears something. It is very odd behavior for her. Right now she is sleeping on my lap, with her head on the
keyboard. She is calm as can be.

She takes the meds. for five days, and I am going to call the vet again tomorrow to see if I should make an appt. for Monday. I may not need it, but if she is still like this, maybe a blood draw should be done.

I wonder if she is depressed? She is always so happy go lucky that this is baffling. At least, the vet does not feel she is in any pain. I am though. LOL

Thanks for all the great support here.

A puzzle indeed. Sounds like it is multi-parted, and may have several causes and several pieces to the solution. Glad to hear she ate. Moving her things around may be what she needs now. Shots can be traumatizing as well as painful.

Good luck with your journey...

This AM I fed here where I usually do. She was hesitant to come to her bowl, but I enticed her with some peanut butter (which she loves) on my finger, than her kibble.

Right now she is shaking alittle, and on my lap. She is very clingy.

It finally feels warmer today, so I am going to take her for a ten minute
jaunt, and see if that helps her. I stay with her as much as possible, and
let her outside where she loves to lay in the sun.

If she is not better Monday, then I am going back to the vet. At least she is not in any pain, but this cannot go on either.

Was it just rabies?
 

Did she possibly have any other shots? Have you taken her to that vet before?

I have used the same vet for years. I really like him too.

She only had the booster and rabies shots.

I took her for a walk this AM, and she was her normal self. Then, she visited
with my parents, sat in the sun while I did yard work for almost two hours, and she did just fine.

I brought her inside and gave her the daily treat she always gets in her Kong,
and she gets edgy. Anytime she is in the kitchen she is clingy. Again, she is now on my lap while I type.

I hope she gets over this. She definitely is not in any pain, and she does have an appetite which I am grateful for.

This may just take some time. Thanks for your help.

that is odd
 

Cora shakes sometimes but then she just stops, it's nothing crazy but urs sounded like a bad reaction and I remember my sister saying something about Yorkies having reactions to shots but I think she said it was a lepto shot, that is why I asked.

Dawn

The booster shot had a Lepto shot (or whatever you call it) in it.

Does Cora still shake, and how long ago did she get the shot?

Thanks.

She shakes just to shake, like if we are around people she doesnt know, it's nothing like she's sick or anything, she's actually just nrevous. I never gave her the lepto becuase it's not needed and a lot of the Yorkies have had bad reactions to them. It will usually last for just 24 hours but you have to watch them to make sure they don't get sick. It may take a few days to get out of their system so it may just be that.....do yourself a favor, it's not a needed shot so just tell the vet next time to skip it....if he insists, then after the shot don't leave her alone at all. It's just not good.

Dawn

I hope that helped a little.