Reactions to vaccines

[Jayme K]

Henry is 13.5 weeks and had his 3rd set of distemper, plus his first rabies, and lepto today. Poor little guy can't even walk, he is in so much pain, and has been sleeping on the couch all day. After doing some reading, I'm surprised the vet recommended doing them all together since rabies is supposed to have more adverse reactions if combined with other vaccines. Has anyone else seen such a bad response to these vaccines? He was always fine with just the distemper. Anyways I don't think he is having any life threatening reactions and I've already talked with the vet on the phone about his reactions, but it's just so sad to see him like this. 

[Lindsay n Archie]

I guess all vets are different, but ours didnt do rabies until 16 weeks.

[Star and Goldie]

It is possible that it's actually the Lepto causing the reaction. My vet said that reactions from Lepto are more common and sure enough my Goldie had a pretty bad reaction. She couldn't walk. She only wanted to sleep. If she was sleeping and then needed to go outside to potty she had to pull herself outside and it looked like she had advanced arthritis the way she was walking. If that's what is happening, the good news is that he will probably be just fine. As long as he isn't vomiting or having diarrhea then it will wear off.  I have decided to exclude Lepto from any future vaccinations for Goldie just because that was so painful and sad for me to watch. At my location it is an optional vaccine. Only about half of the dogs at my vet get that included.

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I'm sorry to hear your puppy is having such a bad reaction, and I'm surprised your vet isn't concerned. Neither of my doods has ever had a bad reaction to any vaccination. Our vet doesn't give rabies shots until 6 mos. of age.

[Sharae & Winston]

We got the rabies vaccine at about 4 1/2 months, so the age is probably fine.. but were instructed that it needs to be given at least one week after receiving any other vaccinations. So he had his parvo/distemper/lepto and then the rabies the week after...

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Hi Jayme, I was just wondering how Henry was doing and if he is feeling better.  Those shots can be hard on them at times and I hope he is up and around and feeling like "Henry" again!

[Jayme K]

Thanks everyone. Henry is his normal self again but I'll definitely keep all of this in mind for his next round. I'm glad it wasn't any worse but it did give me a little scare.