Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
While efforts are made to answer all questions as quickly as possible, if an immediate answer is required or if your pet is in need of urgent or emergency care, contact your pet's veterinarian immediately.
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
You will receive an answer from Dr. Dym and our vet/tech team as soon as possible, usually the same day.
All answers are provided for informational or educational purposes only, and are intended to be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise and professional judgment of your pet's veterinarian.
It may be necessary to consult your pet's veterinarian regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your pet's symptoms or medical condition.
CloseDoctor of Veterinary Medicine
An error has occurred, please reload the page and try again.
CloseDoctor of Veterinary Medicine
While efforts are made to answer all questions as quickly as possible, if an immediate answer is required or if your pet is in need of urgent or emergency care, contact your pet's veterinarian immediately.
There is no answer related to your question
Ask the Vet About Vaccine Side Effects in Dogs and Cats
Got questions? Ask Dr. Dym & our Vet Team
While efforts are made to answer all questions as quickly as possible, if an immediate answer is required or if your pet is in need of urgent or emergency care, contact your pet's veterinarian immediately.
Submit Your Question
My 10 mo old puppy is acting confused and leaning his head to one side. He's very dizzy and hasn't eaten since Saturday evening. Is this a normal reaction? Or is this an emergenxy?
No - that is not a normal reaction. I would have your veterinarian recheck him.
At what age is it not necessary for my dogs to no longer receive the parvovirus and distemper vaccines if they have been vaccinated properly from birth?
Good question - the research is ongoing. Most vaccine companies will say they continue to need it every ~3 years for life.
My 9lb dog had not peed since getting her 4 shots yesterday which includes the 3 year vaccine?
Have your veterinarian recheck her if it continues. Even if she is better by now, let them know, so they will separate the vaccines the next time she needs them and not give 4 at one time to such a small dog.
My 12-week puppy got her first Bordetella oral vaccine and her 3rd DHPP today. She vomited her whole breakfast (from 5 hours prior) during the car ride home. I’m worried if one episode like this is enough to be considered an allergic reaction?
If it doesn't continue, she isn't lethargic when you get home, she has no facial swelling, etc. I would be more suspicious of motion sickness in the car than a vaccine reaction.
Hello, my 9 year old lab received a couple of her yearly vaccinations 2 days ago. Today, I noticed that one lymph node in her neck is swollen. Is this relatively normal?
No, this is not a common side effect. I would have your veterinarian recheck her and aspirate that lymph node if it is still enlarged.
Hello, I’ve noticed a quarter size lump under my dogs skin that is firm. He recently got his yearly booster (not rabies) vaccine on Saturday. Is this a normal reaction or should I be concerned?
If it is exactly where the Rabies vaccine was administered, that can be normal. Call the veterinarian that administered the vaccine and confirm that the vacine was given where the lump now is. It should gradually go away over he next few days. If it does not, have them recheck it.
Last night my thirteen year old dog had her first seizure. Hours earlier she has received her 5-1. She’s never had a negative reaction to vaccines. She also then coughed/gagged a few times consecutively. Nothing since. Should i be alarmed
A seizure, at her age, is cause for concern. I would see your veterinarian for some bloodwork (to start with). It's hard to relate a seizure directly to the vaccine - that is not a typical adverse reaction, but the stress of the day may have lowered her seizure threshold. Ideally, the underlying cause of the seizure needs to be explored.
My dog last had her vaccinations three years ago. Afterwards she experienced facial swelling and needed antihistamines. Her booster shots are now due is it safe to do so?
It depends on many factors: which vaccine caused the allergic reaction, does she truly need that one (depends on her lifestyle, usually), how old she is, other medical problems she may have, what medications she takes, etc etc, so consult your veterinarian for the best advice.
Hello, My friend is taking care of a pregnant cat (from the street). The cat tested negative for FeLV, FIV and parvo virus. Can the cat get vaccine and rabies shot while pregnant? Will it affect her kittens? Please advise. Thank you.
No - most vaccines are not labeled for use while pregnant and some can cause serious problems with the fetuses.
Can I refuse the bordetella vaccine for my adult dog if she is not boarded?
Yes, definitely - this is not considered a core vaccine that all dogs need - only the more social ones that go to be groomed or boarded.
My kitten got his first vaccines 2 weeks ago. This Wednesday he had a seizure. He’s recovered fully already, but I’m wondering if there’s any chance that the vaccines caused the seizure? Also, is it safe for him to get his regular boosters 2 weeks from now?
It's hard for me to relate the seizure to the vaccine, that far away from when it was given but call and speak directly to the manufacturer's veterinarian for the best advice.
My puppy got a 6 in 1 shot at 6 weeks old. He is currently 14 weeks.. when should he get another one
He needs one now and then another in 3-4 weeks.
We got our dog vaccinated 2 days ago. She got 7 shots total do to boarding her in a few weeks and she needed her normal as well. Today, she had a 5min whole body seizure, Could this be caused by the vaccines?
Possibly - definitely contact your veterinarian so they can note it in her chart and they will want to contact the manufacturer of the vaccines to let them know as well.
For the last two years, my dog has had symptoms of gastrointestinal upset within 2 weeks of receiving vaccines. Symptoms include off and on vomiting bile and diarrhea with bright red blood and mucus. He’s feeling better now. Now, a week after symptoms started, stool is formed at beginning and loose at the end, and is now yellow. He’s finally eager to eat again and is becoming more playful. At first, we thought he ate something he shouldn’t have, but could this be a vaccine reaction? I’m kind of afraid to give him vaccines next year.
It is possible - definitely speak with your veterinarian about this - most dogs only need most vaccines every 3 years, not every year, but it depends on many factors (where you live, your dog's lifestyle, etc.)
My 3 year old Cavalier KCS got a few vaccines all at once (including Lyme, flu, lepidopterist sp?) a couple weeks ago and soon developed weakness in hind quarters and pain. Took back for exam and X-rays all neg. doing somewhat better but Still can’t jump up. Vet not mention possible reaction. Now I read all this and need help with TMT.
I don't know what you mean by "TMT" but contact the manufacturer of the vaccines directly with concerns about a possible vaccine reaction.
Email Us
Live Chat