Dogs of any breed or type can have an adverse reaction to vaccines.
While death and serious adverse reactions to dog vaccines are relatively uncommon, mild or temporary vaccine reactions may be more common that previously suspected because there has been no mechanism in place to report them, reports the American Animal Hospital Association. In its revised 2006 vaccination guidelines, the AAHA outlines plans to require veterinarians to report adverse vaccine events to the drug manufacturers, and manufacturers to submit these figures annually to the federal government's Center for Veterinary Biologics.
Types of Vaccines
Some types of vaccines are more likely to trigger reactions in susceptible dogs than others. Many vets no longer include the leptospirosis vaccine in the combination vaccines unless the dog lives in or regularly visits a high-risk area. Leptospirosis vaccines carry a high risk for severe side effects or death, and are not 100 percent effective, according to the Mar Vista Animal Medical Center. A combination vaccine typically given to puppies or as boosters for adult dogs is called DHLPP. This stands for distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus and parainfluenza. Dogs who have ever had a reaction to a vaccine or do not live in high-risk areas get the DHPP vaccine, which omits the leptospirosis. Rabies vaccine also has a relatively high risk of adverse reactions.
Vaccine Reactions
The AAHA lists several mild or temporary vaccine reactions. Mostly centered around the location of the shot, they include swelling, hair loss and abscesses. Systemic reactions include lethargy and loss of appetite, lameness, difficulty breathing and behavioral changes. More serious adverse reactions include seizures, neurological or organ damage, and death.
Benefits
Both the risks and benefits of vaccines need to be considered, and the AAHA guidelines are very complex. While all puppies should be given a series of core vaccines -- those universally recommended, such as distemper and rabies -- adult dogs may not require annual vaccinations. Determine which vaccinations your dog needs by talking to your veterinarian. Foregoing puppy vaccinations is risky. The distemper virus is highly contagious and kills 80 percent of puppies and 50 percent of adult dogs who contract it. Parvovirus is also contagious and can remain in the soil for months.
Effects
Watch your dog closely for any unusual behaviors or symptoms after a vaccine. While the majority of dogs tolerate vaccinations well and at most have a mild reaction, your veterinarian needs to know if you see seizures, lethargy, behavioral changes or anything out of the ordinary for your dog.
Prevention/Solution
Talk to your veterinarian about alternative ways to vaccinate your dog if it has a reaction. Instead of giving combination vaccines, your vet may suggest giving the vaccinations separately and spaced several months apart, or giving them in a different part of the body if the reaction was localized. Measuring the antibody levels in your dog's blood with a titer may be helpful in determining its immunity levels for some diseases.
Tags: adult dogs, your veterinarian, adverse reactions, behavioral changes, combination vaccines, high risk, mild temporary