Is This Normal?

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

Aspen had her second round of shots today. She did well afterwards but this evening she started seeming very tired and was laying around a lot. She just threw up all of her dinner (she ate hours ago). She hasn't thrown up before. Is this normal? Is it a side effect? I'm trying not to freak out. :)

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

One more reason to separate vaccines is that if the dog does have a reaction, you will know which vaccine caused it. Some veterinary offices do charge for vaccines administered by a technician, and some do not. The charge, if that's a concern, is less for the vet tech than for the doctor. You can also ask for titers to check on your dog's level of immunity for most vaccines, instead of just assuming that they need to be vaccinated on a predetermined schedule. My dogs have never thrown up from a vaccine, but Charlotte did end up with a big lump on at the site of her initial rabies shot. I'm glad to hear that Aspen is feeling better now.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The food isn't being digested. Is it possible that she ate something she shouldn't have around the time she got the shots? The timing is suspicious, but this really doesn't sound like a vaccine reaction after 4 days.

When you talk to the vet, be sure to specify that she's regurgitating undigested food hours after eating it. The difference between regurgitating and vomiting is important in trying to figure out what's going on. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Little bits of grass shouldn't cause any harm as long as it isn't chemically treated. The mulch, it would depend on what it's made of and the size of the pieces, but I doubt that's it, either. 

When you say "flea medicine", do you mean a flea preventative? Do you know exactly what it was? It is important to protect them against getting fleas, but there are some oral flea prevents that have caused some very nasty side effects in some of our dogs here. Trifexis in particular. And vomiting has been one of the major side effects. That could very well be the problem with Aspen. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Vomiting is a side effect for Nexgard; I don't know if any owners here have experienced this with their dogs on Nexgard, but every dog reacts differently to various meds, and young puppies are more susceptible than older dogs. It may also not have been the best idea to give it on the same day as the vaccines. 

I do think that it's more likely that the Nexgard is to blame for Aspens digestive troubles than the vaccines.

I know a lot of people don't like the spot-ons like Frontline, but I personally prefer them to oral meds, especially for dogs who have had reactions to the oral meds. You might ask for a topical for future use, rather than an oral med. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Also, she should not be allowed any running or hard exercise for at least 30 minutes after eating. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm sure this is not a food issue. See my reply above, I'm thinking the regurgitating is due to the flea meds.

[Nancy & Echo]

This from the Nexgard package insert.  I have zero experience of course, and don't know about post-marketing studies.  Also, as Karen pointed out, different dogs probably have very different reactions, and I do highly respect her clinical opinion. This also involves a relatively small number of dogs. (See table 1.)

http://www.nexgardfordogs.com/Style%20Library/nexgard/docs/NexGard_...

I certainly do hope that Aspen is well.