Bad reaction to booster vaccine

[stirrupleathers]

Hello, my dog (1 year old shih tzu cross) had her booster yesterday morning. By 2pm she was trembling, lethargic & panting. She couldn't walk so I had to carry her home from the school run. I took her back to the vets later in the evening who checked her over and couldn't find anything wrong with her. I checked her all night she hardly moved and when I picked her up in the garden this mng she cried like her joints hurt her. She's eaten today and is drinking water again thankfully but still quite poorly. Has anyone else experienced this with their dog?

[pigsDOfly]

On a small dog I'd be concerned that the vet had made a mistake and given a larger dose than is appropriate.

If you're not happy and she's not improving I'd speak to the vet again and insist on taking her back.

It's all very well the vet saying they couldn't find anything wrong but clearly she isn't all right and you need to know what's going on with her.

Hope she improves soon.

[MarcoPoloCX]

Slightly off tangent here!
I have read somewhere that after their initial vaccines, they produce enough antibodies and protection to last for years.
So the annual boosters are not necessary.
If this is the case and is backed by science, why don’t they standardise the kind of vaccines they use so to eliminate over vaccinations?
And make it a common practice not to booster annually.

Come and get your dogs checked every year by all means but no need to booster when it is not required.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Right the dose is the same regardless of the size of dog.
The science says primary vaccination course is composed of injections 2 injections between 2 and 4 weeks apart as a pup and then a full booster at 1 year, after that distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus every third year and lepto every year. This is the world small animal veterinary associations guidelines formed by the top veterinary immunologists based on the titre testing they carry out not on drug company data sheets. These are available on line for anyone to read google WSAVA vaccine guidelines.
Just like us it is not uncommon to have 24 hours of flu like symptoms after a vaccination due to a number of things, firstly it shows the immune system is responding correctly. It can coincide with a virus not unlike a cold in humans ( yes dogs get them too).
I am sorry your dog felt unwell from the vaccination it happens just like in humans, but hopefully it is feeling better now.

[pigsDOfly]

Ah I see. Thought it would vary in relation to size of dog.

[JoffreyBaratheon]

Our pup was yelping pitifully when she had her second vaccination and every time we picked her up for about a day. A week on and she seems OK, now. It was very worrying, though. I think some dogs do get bad reactions - a few hours after, she seemed to be feeling it under her front legs (lymph nodes?)

[stirrupleathers]

Hey she's feeling a lot better this afternoon. Still not her usual busy self though.Marcopolo I read up on that, that dogs may not need a booster every year but a blood test is carried out by a vet. I'm reluctant about a vaccine best year. I will discuss the options with the vet. Joffrey you have described Pixie exactly, she is clearly sore under her legs. Thanks again for all the informative messages.