My yorkie after vaccination
 

My 15 week old yorkie had vaccination for Distemper-Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenca and Canine Parvo this morning. He was playing very well before the vaccination. After vaccination he is less active. Although he still eats and drinks, I have to prompt him to get his new toy so I can see if he is limping (thanks, God, he is not limping!). He can walk fast but he is unusual in a way that he does not run around the house. He just stays with me and prefers to sit all the time. Is this normal?:confused: Anything I can do to help him?

Yes, normal. You may see a decrease in activity for up to 7-10 days. In the future, only allow him to get one vaccine per office visit, separate vaccines by 4 weeks, and only give him vaccines that are necessary. Lepto depends on what area you live in and is best given as a separate vaccine, 4 weeks before or after any other vaccine.

Many here follow Dr Dodds vaccine protocol...

If he acts worse, take him back to the vet...

I agree, too many vaccinations at one time.

Thanks for your replies. I agree after reading Dr. Dodds vaccine info. I noticed too that it looks a lot for a tiny dog (2 lbs 13 oz) but I am inexperienced and just tried to comply with the vet's schedule. Dr. Dodd's recommendation for rabies is at 20 weeks. My vet scheduled my dog to come back after 2 weeks for the rabies vaccine (by that time he is16-17 weeks old). Would you think it is too soon for him? Shall I wait until he is 20 weeks? At what age did your dog had the first rabies vaccine?

I encourage my new owners to wait until their baby is about 8 months old for their rabies shot, simply because I think the rabies injection is a lot of.....WHAM!.....for a little Yorkie, and NO! they do not calculate the dosage for the weight of the dog! It is the same dose they give a huge 85# dog!!!!! I have never let a tiny Yorkie go out....3# or less.....but I really would be goosey about a tiny baby getting a rabies shot.....a baby THAT little has NO business socializing outside with strangers so the likelihood of this tiny baby getting rabies should be zero....I would wait until this little baby has more size and weight on him! I have NEVER had a new owner's baby come down with rabies, waiting until their baby is 8 months old....!!!

I so agree! Here you are required to tag by 1 year. I have always waited till my pups were close to a year.. Just felt better about it.

There hasn't been a case of rabies in our county in 2o years.. The only danger is raccoons.. There has been a few in adjoining counties. I really get angry about the inforcement of rabies shots on such small young dogs..

Good luck.. Hope the little guy feels better soon!

California Law requires all puppies be vaccinated against Rabies at 4 months of age... but there is a medical waiver which I would think low weight may qualify... talk to your vet (or a new vet, lol). You can probably stretch this a bit, to 5 or 6 months of age, maybe to 8-12 with a vet's recommendation if he stays very small.

The problem with vaccines... they are most active after two weeks, so adding a vaccine on top of that (at two weeks) can over challenge the pup's immune system and can result in other illnesses. After 4 weeks, any vaccine activity has ceased, it has done it's job and has left the body, leaving only antibodies behind to prevent disease and the pup's immune system will have returned to a normal, unchallenged state, ready for the next vaccine.

Also, when too many are given together, the immune system gets divided trying to make antibodies for against two or more diseases, so the result is not as good as when the vaccs are given separately. They are still protected, but they develope more antibodies and a stronger protection given one at a time, one month apart.

Any puppy or dog who is being vaccinated against Rabies for the first time in their life will need two Rabies vaccines within a year to establish immunity.

I usually separate these by 4-6 months, JMHO.

About CA Rabies requirements: Rabies Vaccination and The Law - Whole Dog Journal Blog Article

Thanks for the info regarding Molly's Bill in CA. My pup is still inactive but he is eating and drinking. I think he is in pain. He is slightly dragging his leg while walking. Is there no pain reliever for pups?

Its very normal. Many dogs are sleepy, sore, less active and sometimes not very hungry after they get shots.

He may well be in pain... vaccines hurt! I just got a tetanus vac and my arm hurt for two weeks, plus a headache and sick feeling for 3-4 days...lol.

I'd put a call in to your vet for meds or a recommendation... or an ice pack/ heat pad may help. Poor baby. And lots of cuddles too... it's rough not feeling well...

Since your vet is NOT up to date on vaccine protocol, I would find a new one ASAP. You want a vet who is familiar with tiny dogs & their conditions & one who will NOT overload your baby with vaccines as it can be deadly.

I don't ever let any vet give my Yorkie all do their shots at once. May cost a little more but we do one at a time. Cali is 4.2 pounds. She has always done well with this protocol and never had any problems.

I agree...that is what I am planning right now! I hope I can find one around our area. Vets should have specialties...i.e. Yorkie specialist listed with their names.

Just an update...my yorkie ("Gizmo") is well now. I tried to re-enact like I am coming from work and he jumped around! Whew! Thanks for all your help and support. This is an excellent group!

Yay Gizmo! So glad he's feeling better...sooner than later! Vaccines can really knock them out.