Vaccinating your pet? Think again..

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Not long ago I saw Miss Lola, one of my cutest little Poodle patients. (Why are they all named Lola?) After spending the better part of her first year of life suffering from various and sundry gastrointestinal maladies, she’d finally been free of us for over three months. And so it was that yesterday, during her first annual checkup (technically undertaken at sixteen months of age), Lola seemed in perfect health.

Today, however, is another story.

Last night, ‘round about 9 P.M., her owner called me, frantically describing symptoms that are typical of a mild vaccine reaction. No vaccine reaction is ever “mild” from a pet owner’s point of view, but this presupposes that said owner has never witnessed a severe reaction. (Everything’s relative, isn’t it?)

When I saw Lola today she was slightly feverish (102.4) and moderately painful all over — more so at the injection site. It was a classic, mild vaccine reaction for which I prescribed a small dose of Rimadyl after administering subcutaneous fluids. Her owner called later to report that Lola was already feeling better.

Lola’s experience notwithstanding, the lion’s share of vaccines seem to provoke no illness. The pet is vaccinated in hospital and goes home within fifteen minutes, where no untoward effects of the vaccine are typically noted.

Most reactions we do see include swelling of the muzzle and face, myalgia (muscle pain) and fever, and less commonly, vomiting. These are often treated with antihistamines and pain relievers. The most severe, life-threatening reactions are very rare indeed. The only one I have had the displeasure to attend occurred in vet school when a cat, vaccinated at a nearby hospital, suffered acute respiratory distress almost immediately after a vaccine was administered. The kitty died — very quickly, I might add.

Lest I forget, let me now mention another more common, if controversial, life-threatening reaction: the vaccine-related sarcoma. As the cat people among you probably already know, vaccine-related, highly-malignant tumors are sometimes seen in cats. Although it was difficult to prove, this disease has finally received its due respect as a phenomenon related directy to vaccination. Our hospital has only seen four or five possible cases in over thirty years, but it’s out there as a potential consequence of vaccine administration.

My goal here is not to scare the bejeezus out of you, just to inform you of how we vets think about vaccines. We know they’re potentially dangerous. We all worry about the possibility of a reaction. And that extends to our families, too. I didn’t have my own son vaccinated without trepidation either, but — believe it or not — I consider it my civic duty to vaccinate myself and my whole family, pets included.

Remember that for the vast majority of pets, and people, there are no negative side effects. Aspirin and Tylenol, for example, have lots of side effects, some of them deadly, but we rarely experience any, and continue to take these drugs with impunity.  I recommend that you ask your doctor about the potential side effects and keep your eyes open just in case.

Dr. Patty  Khuly writing for PetMD

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About Post Author

Dr. Patty Khuly

Dr. Patty is a small animal veterinarian in Miami, Florida, where she practices medicine at Sunset Animal Clinic and serves on the board of the South Florida Veterinary Medical Association.
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Admin
14 years ago

I get flu shots Gwen, and I give my critters immunizations against killer diseases like parvovirus and etc. Rabies is a very, very rare condition in the United States, with most cases being seen out west. I don’t believe there is a big conspiracy between the pharmaceutical industry and the CDC 🙂

14 years ago

What a great pic you put up on this! 🙂 Cutie. Yes, with our pets, the benefits do out weigh risks… but you know… I’m wondering …. has anyone read the article by RFK Jr. on the autism and vaccines and all that on HuffPo? Interesting reading. I don’t do vaccines. I’ve read what they contain. I don’t think our children should forego all vaccines due to school and the contaminant value of disease… but still, you read the ingredients of flu vaccines and me, I just “NO THANKS” it. Frankly I don’t trust private industry, esp. pharama and the CDC is washing the same sheets with them (if you take my meaning). But our pets… I think they should be cared for with responsibility and pet vaccines seem to be mostly to the large benefit.

14 years ago

I too am on the every 3 years bandwagon. Funny thing is, my local vets here aren’t on the same bandwagon. Gee, I wonder why?

Thanks for the insider’s view.

Reply to  Complaint Department Manager
14 years ago

I have had vets that make a huge thing out of annual vaccinations and then there are those who are a little more conservative. Generally those are the ones I like.

Bee
14 years ago

We don’t have any pets right now, but we are strong advocates of vaccinations for various potential maladies. We also feel it is our civic duty to do what we can to not spread diseases that have no business coming back into the mainstream population. The benefits outweigh the risks exponentially.

Reply to  Bee
14 years ago

I agree the benefit outweighs the risk Bee.

Admin
14 years ago

I think it is 4D. I have had lots of critters over the years and never an adverse reaction, excepting perhaps some sleepiness.

14 years ago

Isn’t it quite rare to get a serious reaction though? We’ve never had any problem with any of our moggies over the years.

Admin
14 years ago

I couldn’t agree more Pam. You are fortunate to have someone to watch your critters for you. I have to hire out, then again I have a lot of dogs 🙂

14 years ago

Mad Mike: Our Vet only vaccinates every 3 years. And we don’t get our dogs the Kennel Cough vaccine because our dogs don’t go to doggie day-care or a kennel. I’m fortunate that my parents “doggie-sit” when we go on vacation.

I’m a firm advocate of EDUCATING one’s self, even for pet vaccines. It’s also refreshing to know there are Vets out there who care enough about animals and not JUST the bottom line!

Admin
14 years ago

It is rare to find such an honest vet Mauigirl. In my experience the majority insist on annual vaccinations. I suspect it all goes back to the wallet. No surprise there I guess.

14 years ago

Very interesting post. Our vet also recommends not vaccinating yearly – every 3 years instead. Our indoor cat has not had the leukemia shot either. I think this makes sense – no need to overvaccinate but indeed, vaccination is necessary for the greater good, both for people and animals.

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