home Analyzes Symptoms after vaccination in dogs. Dog after vaccination: reaction and possible complications. What can be the negative consequences of vaccinations in dogs?

Symptoms after vaccination in dogs. Dog after vaccination: reaction and possible complications. What can be the negative consequences of vaccinations in dogs?

Rabies vaccinations for domestic dogs are the only way to protect the animal from infection. Vaccination is carried out at the request of the owner, unless there are other conditions. How much does it cost and where is it carried out: free or paid, at a state veterinary station or a private clinic.

Importance of immunization

Do I need to be vaccinated against rabies: without a certificate from a veterinarian, it is impossible to breed a purebred animal, fly with it outside the country, or participate in exhibitions. Without documents on immunization, the dog will not be allowed into the hotel room; hunting and gun breeds are required to be pierced.

If a passerby is bitten by a dog that has not been vaccinated against rabies, the animal is sent to quarantine for 10 days. The victim undergoes a course of vaccination against the disease without fail.

How many injections are prescribed to a person: about 5, at certain intervals.

Contraindications

Veterinarians warn that before carrying out the procedure it is necessary to ensure the absolute health of the dog. Vaccination is postponed if the pet has:

increased body temperature;
apathetic state;
infection with worms;
lack of body weight;
injuries, allergies, infectious diseases.

Vaccination against rabies is not carried out during the change of baby teeth, after surgery or ear cropping, for two weeks before surgery and the same time after it, during estrus.

Adverse reactions after vaccination may occur:

allergies, rashes, obsessive itching;
in the injection area: swelling, dense lump, tissue necrosis;
changes in behavior: lethargy, apathy, decreased activity;
fever, nausea, vomiting;
anaphylactic shock;
refusal to eat, involuntary incontinence of urine and feces;
convulsive, epileptic syndrome, spasms;
disturbances in coordination of movements, temporary lameness.

In some dogs, rabies medication causes heart rhythm dysfunction and breathing problems.

How long do you need to wait for the first side effects to appear: from a few minutes to 3 days.

Preparing for vaccination

How long does it take to prepare: one week for both older and younger pets. The preparatory period includes four important activities:

For one to two weeks before vaccination, the animal should have a normal life, without sudden changes. You cannot change the environment, climate conditions, or diet. Any innovations will lead to stress, which will lead to the development of negative reactions after vaccination.

Rabies vaccination process

Before rabies vaccine is administered to dogs, a veterinarian is consulted. What should the doctor do:

to measure the temperature;
conduct a visual inspection;
collect anamnesis.

If necessary, additional laboratory tests may be performed. How much will they cost: in a public clinic free of charge, in a private clinic - depending on the pricing policy.

If pathologies are detected, the rabies vaccination is postponed, and the dog is prescribed symptomatic treatment. The absence of contraindications makes it possible to perform an injection. Where and how much medicine is administered: into the withers, subcutaneously, one ampoule. After the procedure is completed, a mark is placed in the veterinary passport and a label from the rabies vaccine used is pasted.

Duration of action

What is the maximum effect of the rabies vaccination in dogs: stable immunity develops over three weeks, its activity remains for 2-3 years. According to legal requirements, animals must undergo preventive maintenance annually, especially for those living in disadvantaged areas.

Dogs are vaccinated against rabies before traveling on trains, planes, and before exhibitions. It is held a month before the event. How long it lasts: for 11 months.

Dog after rabies vaccination

Each dog is quarantined after being vaccinated against rabies. Veterinarians are monitoring her. How long does it take for immunity to form: changes occur due to the production of antibodies, within 14-21 days. During this period, pet owners must follow the following recommendations:

do not change your place of residence;
walk your pets only on a leash;
exclude communication with outside dogs;
After vaccination, dogs should not be bathed or the injection site should be wet;
limit any physical activity;
feeding a standard diet, not introducing new products;
avoid hypothermia.

After being vaccinated against rabies, a dog is defenseless; any stressful situations can seriously affect its health.

How long do you need to wait before immunity appears: the effect of the rabies vaccine begins after a 2-3 week period, at which time the quarantine is lifted.

When are dogs vaccinated?

The standard vaccination schedule includes piercing animals from the second month of life. How many vaccinations can be given and what kind:

against infectious hepatitis;
canine distemper;
leptospirosis;
parvovirus enteritis;
parainfluenza.

When to get vaccinated against rabies: at 2.5-3 months, three weeks after the above vaccinations. A course of immunization is carried out before or after replacing baby teeth. For most pets, their change includes a period from 3 to 6 months of age, but there are exceptions.

How many procedures will you have to do:

if the animal is less than three months old at the time of the first injection, then a second injection should be given after 2-3 weeks - this allows the formation of stable immunity;
if the dog is older, then the vaccination is carried out once.

The timing is determined individually and depends on the conditions of detention - some pets need to receive their first vaccination in life after 6-9 months.

Vaccination against rabies in dogs, as it is often done: rabies vaccine is administered once a year. Elderly animals or those with chronic pathologies are pierced every 24 months.

What feature in the instructions for the drugs is indicated for lactating bitches: the behavior is not recommended. How long should they not be vaccinated: all the time the puppies are feeding.

The most popular rabies vaccines

Which vaccine is most often used:

Defekson 3 is an American vaccine with a prolonged period of action: under favorable conditions, revaccination is carried out after 3 years, under unfavorable conditions - annually;
– the first vaccination takes place at 3 months, the second one – a year later;
Rabizin - the French analogue develops immunity for 36 months;
Rabican is a Russian vaccine, immunity after it is formed after a week, lasts one calendar year.

How much does it cost to vaccinate against rabies for a dog: from 600 to 1500 rubles (in Moscow).

At first glance, vaccination is a fairly simple event that is carried out quickly and relatively painlessly.

This is partly true, the procedure itself lasts no more than half an hour, but after this your pet will still need a lot of time and effort to recover. Therefore, he should be given special care and follow all the rules so that the animal does not experience any complications.

Dog after vaccination: reaction and possible complications

Complications after vaccination are divided into two categories: local and general. Local complications include the formation of a swelling or even a lump at the injection site; in some cases, the area may be hot to the touch and painful. General complications are characterized by a depressed state and pain in the animal.

The dog looks lethargic and sick, the temperature may rise up to 40 degrees. As a rule, such complications are observed immediately after vaccination for several days or a week. In cases where the painful condition persists, you should consult a veterinarian.

Also, in some cases, dogs may experience an allergic reaction to certain components of the drugs. This reaction can lead to one of the most dangerous complications - anaphylactic shock. This complication is characterized by increased salivation, shortness of breath, weakness, and cyanosis of the mucous membranes, in particular the mouth. If these symptoms are present, the animal should be hospitalized immediately, otherwise it may die.

Quarantine after vaccination for a dog

After vaccination, quarantine must be observed. If vaccination was done for the first time, the quarantine lasts approximately 10-14 days. At this time, the puppy can be walked exclusively in your arms, without giving him the opportunity to communicate with other animals, since this is dangerous for his fragile immunity.

In cases where vaccinations are given to adult dogs, quarantine restrictions are quite conditional. It is advisable to avoid contact of the vaccinated animal with other dogs for two weeks, but he can walk on a leash. In this case, a certificate of vaccination (for example, against rabies) is issued no earlier than 14 days after vaccination.

How to walk your dog after vaccination

You can walk your dog, but you must follow certain rules. If you have a puppy, then you should not let him run outside before revaccination, and also for two weeks after it, but you can easily walk with him in your arms.

As for adult dogs, the main thing here is not to overexert the animal and not to overcool it. Therefore, long walks should be avoided, especially in the rain or frosty weather.

Is it possible to wash a dog after vaccination?

This question interests many owners, since in some cases after a walk it is simply necessary to clean the animal of dirt.

However, all veterinarians strictly prohibit washing a dog after vaccination, as this can lead to a cold. This is due to the fact that the dog’s immunity is already weakened, but here it can still become hypothermic, which will lead to serious complications.

What to do if your dog has a lump after vaccination?

It is generally quite normal for dogs to develop a bump after vaccination, so there is no need to worry too much about it. Yes, of course, such a reaction of the body raises some concerns about the possibility of complications.

However, as practice shows, no matter how big the lump is, it will resolve over time, so there is no need to take any action. In most cases, this formation disappears within two weeks after vaccination; if it does not disappear within this period, you can already contact a veterinarian.

In veterinary practice, it is not very common to encounter diseases that are deadly not only for animals, but also for humans. But it just falls into this category. It cannot be treated, it can only be prevented by vaccinating the dog on time. But some owners are confused about possible reactions to rabies vaccinations in dogs.

It's simple. During their active life, worms secrete a huge amount of toxins, and most of them are actively absorbed into the general bloodstream of the animal.

Firstly, these toxins themselves are excellent allergens and “simply” powerful poisons.

Secondly, when combined with vaccine components, they can give completely unpredictable and unpredictable results.

It is also known that in dogs with severe helminthic infestations, vaccination sometimes did not give the desired result, i.e. They simply did not develop normal immunity.

Important! Veterinarians and experienced breeders insist on mandatory compliance with one simple rule: deworming must be carried out 10 days before any vaccination.

Normal reaction of a dog's body to rabies vaccine

Firstly, owners should remember that after vaccination, a normal reaction of the dog’s body is quite normal and acceptable. This is due to the fact that the vaccine is a preparation of biological origin. This means that after administration, the immune system begins to react. This is normal and inevitable. Some animals develop drowsiness, others begin to drink a lot of water, and others develop a slight swelling and/or redness at the injection site.

Read also: Dog vaccination: rules and terms

All these phenomena are similar in one thing: they pass quickly (within a couple of days at most) without causing more severe effects and do not require veterinary intervention to eliminate them. In other cases, it is appropriate to talk about the pathological reactions of the dog’s body, and in these situations it is no longer possible to do without professional help.

Common reactions and complications in dogs after rabies vaccination

In general, post-vaccination complications after the use of rabies vaccinations develop very rarely: no more than 1.3% of the total number of vaccinated animals. So owners shouldn’t worry too much. In addition, truly serious pathologies occur even less frequently; their frequency does not exceed the statistical error.

Allergic reaction

The most common pathological reaction is an allergic reaction.

The clinical picture is as follows:

Rashes appear on the skin in the form of a red rash.

In addition, a slight swelling may occur directly at the site of vaccine administration, and if it is allergic in origin, the swelling will itch severely and constantly. Animals begin to scratch them, causing them to tear the areas that bother them literally to the point of “meat.” These areas are quickly colonized by pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microflora, as a result of which purulent inflammation develops.

Sometimes allergic reactions manifest themselves in the form of intense, profuse inflammation. As a rule, digestive disorders in this case disappear in about three days.

Abscesses and lumps at the injection site

Both abscesses and lumps at the injection site can only with a very big stretch be attributed to the consequences of the administration of the rabies vaccine. If swelling, as we wrote above, can occur as a result of allergies, then an abscess is almost 100% the result of a gross violation of the rules of antisepsis and asepsis.

To prevent this from happening, you need to properly prepare the injection site:

The area is first trimmed, and in ideal cases, also shaved. This is especially true for long-haired breeds.

The skin area is thoroughly wiped with a swab soaked in a 70% aqueous alcohol solution (or alcohol tincture of iodine).

If it has developed, owners should not smear it with iodine, much less try to squeeze out the pus from there. This will not lead to anything good. The abscess is opened and cleaned out in a clinic; in severe cases, drainage may be required and a course of antibiotic therapy may be required.

Read also: Kvamatel for dogs: general information and purpose

Decreased activity

Most likely, decreased activity is also not a deadly sign. This phenomenon is very common after all vaccinations. We remind you once again that vaccination is a preparation of biological origin. In essence, a large dose of antigen is introduced into the body, which is perceived by the body with hostility.

The dog feels like a person with a developing cold. There is a slight muscle aches, a possible increase in body temperature, refusal of food and increased thirst. This is a completely normal reaction. You should only worry if it lasts for two days or more.

Cramps and muscle spasms

But cramps and muscle spasms are clearly non-physiological phenomena. In these cases, you should immediately call a veterinarian. There are not many reasons, but they are all potentially fatal:

Severe allergic reaction.
Severe intolerance to some vaccine components.

In such cases, the animal is immediately administered antihistamines, as well as medications to maintain cardiac and respiratory activity.

But! Particularly impressionable owners understand “spasms” as slight twitching of the limb in the area in which the injection was made. It is quite possible that the operator simply administered the drug unsuccessfully, causing the animal to experience discomfort. In this case, all alarming phenomena go away on their own, within a maximum of a couple of days.

It is impossible to refuse to carry it out, since the disease is practically incurable for animals and deadly for humans. This confirms the fact that this vaccination is part of preventive measures controlled at the state level.

You can minimize the risk of complications by properly preparing your pet for vaccination, contacting a professional specialist for vaccination, and also learning in advance about possible alarming symptoms in order to prevent their further progression.

Rabies is an acute disease caused by the Rabies virus and characterized by severe damage to the nervous system.
Previously, dogs were the main spreaders of rabies. However, widespread vaccination and orderly maintenance through the opening of shelters for homeless animals have reduced their role in the spread of the disease. Currently, its main source is considered to be wild foxes, wolves, wild boars, and stray cats.

The virus is released from the body of an infected animal mainly through saliva. Therefore, most often infection occurs during a bite, less often - through slobbering on the skin or mucous membranes that have mechanical damage.

Important! Isolation of the rabies pathogen begins 5-10 days before the appearance of the first clinical signs. Therefore, if an animal or person is bitten by a pet, it is isolated and its behavior is observed for 10 days. If the attack is carried out by a wild animal, it is killed and the brain is sent to the laboratory for research.

Owners of hunting dogs, as well as residents of areas adjacent to a forest zone unfavorable for rabies, vaccinate their pets (including cats, small and cattle) without fail due to the high level of possibility of infection. But one should not think that city residents are insured against this mortal danger, since the risk of being attacked by infected stray animals exists even in the center of a metropolis.

Important! Do not forget that the source of infection can be rats and bats living near human habitation.

Having penetrated the dog’s body, the virus penetrates the nerve fibers into the brain and spinal cord. As it multiplies, it provokes irreversible changes in tissues, multiple hemorrhages and swelling.

Read also: What to do if your dog is poisoned: rules for providing assistance

Clinically, this is manifested by behavioral reactions that vary depending on the stage of the disease.

Symptoms of the first stage:

desire for solitude;
excessively intrusive affection, giving way to distrust;
“catching” non-existent insects (a characteristic sign of rabies);
frequent change of lying position;
perversion of appetite (swallowing inedible objects);
excessive salivation, vomiting;
painful reaction to bright light, sharp sounds and other irritants.

Symptoms of the second stage:

severe excitement, during which the dog may lose control of its actions;
gnawing on various objects, one’s own limbs;
aggression towards humans and other animals;
change in voice timbre (hoarse barking), drooping of the lower jaw, constant drooling due to the development of paralysis of the pharyngeal muscles;
strabismus;
rabies.

Symptoms of the third stage:

paralysis and convulsions;
weakness, apathy;
rapidly progressing exhaustion;
temperature decrease below normal.

On 4-5 days the dog dies.

Important! There is a silent form of rabies in which the first two stages are absent. A calm animal suddenly develops severe paralysis, leading to death.

In most cases, sick animals are not treated. Quite rarely, exceptions are made for high-value dogs, which are given hyperimmune serum and rabies vaccine. In this case, a prerequisite is that no more than 8 days must pass from the moment of the bite.

Now, knowing what rabies is in dogs, it is easy to understand why vaccination is necessary, which is the only effective way to protect against infection with a fatal disease.

Preparing your dog for rabies vaccination

Experts recommend the first vaccination against rabies for puppies before the start of the change of baby teeth, from 2.5 to 3 months, with repeated vaccination after 2-3 weeks. If this procedure is carried out after three months of age, then revaccination will be required only after a year.

Important! Experienced dog breeders have noticed that vaccinations carried out during the change of baby teeth negatively affect the color of the enamel.

If the owners plan to take part in exhibitions in the future, then this aspect should be paid attention to and wait until the age of 3 months to six months. But if the dogs are in an unfavorable area, and there is a threat of real infection, then it is not worth taking risks and delaying the introduction of the vaccine.

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Preparing dogs for vaccination includes several points.

7-10 days before vaccination, it is necessary to deworm the pet, taking into account its age and weight.

The day before visiting the clinic, you should take the temperature and carefully look at the animal’s behavior. Any deviations, including lethargy, excessive nervousness or loss of appetite, should be a reason to postpone the vaccination date.

A week before visiting the clinic, you should not change your dog’s usual diet, travel, expose your pet to stress factors, or change your daily routine.

If the vaccination is scheduled for the first half of the day, then the animal should not be fed, but at the same time be provided with a sufficient amount of clean water. Vaccination in the afternoon provides light feeding in the morning and unhindered access to water.

Important! Females in heat, exhausted, weakened and sick animals should not be vaccinated against rabies.

Possible complications after vaccination in dogs

Unfortunately, even proper preparation for vaccination in some cases does not protect against side effects that greatly worry owners. Therefore, in order not to panic and to provide your pet with competent assistance in a timely manner, you need to know the possible complications after vaccination in dogs.

Complications that do not require specialist help

There is no need to be concerned if, after receiving the rabies vaccine, your pet develops the following symptoms:

lethargy lasting no more than a day;
one-time refusal to eat;
one-time digestive upset in the form of vomiting or diarrhea;
formation at the injection site of a painless swelling or small compaction that does not cause discomfort when pressed.

Important! If the lump at the injection site becomes painful, hot or hyperemic within 2-3 days, you should immediately contact a veterinary clinic.

Complications requiring medical intervention

If the manipulation was carried out without observing the rules of antiseptics or a low-quality vaccine was used, then the dogs may exhibit clinical complications that require immediate assistance from a veterinary specialist.

These include:

severe swelling, tenderness, or redness at the injection site;
debilitating vomiting or;
cyanosis (blueness) of the tongue and visible mucous membranes;
hyperemia of the inner surface of the ears;
weakness, apathy;
refusal of food;
profuse drooling;
discharge from the nasal cavity or eyes;
muscle tremors, spontaneous movements of the limbs;
dyspnea.

– an effective method used in veterinary medicine to protect pets from infection with diseases of viral-bacterial etiology. Dogs are required to be vaccinated against rabies. Let's consider what side effects dogs can develop after rabies vaccination and what needs to be done if side symptoms occur.

Rabies in dogs (hydrophobia, fear of hydrophobia) is an acute infection caused by a virus from the rhabdovirus family. Carriers and reservoirs of infection are wild animals, predators, some species of birds, and rodents.

Upon contact with infected individuals, at the time of the bite, since the maximum concentration of rhabdovirus is contained in the saliva of sick animals, where its active reproduction occurs.

The development of the disease is also possible when saliva gets into open wounds, deep scratches, or mucous membranes. After entering the body, the rhabdovirus affects the central nervous system and penetrates the brain and spinal cord.

Important! Rabies poses a danger to warm-blooded animals and people. The disease cannot be cured, so hydrophobia inevitably leads to the death of the animal.

The duration of the incubation period ranges from several days to two to three months. Moreover, before the first characteristic symptoms appear, an infected dog is a carrier of rhabdovirus and can become a source of infection for healthy animals and humans.

Possible side effects after rabies vaccination

Considering that hydrophobia is an incurable disease, the dog must be vaccinated against this infection. Please note that rabies prevention in our country is controlled at the state level.

Dog owners should not only know what rabies is and how the infection manifests itself, but also what post-vaccination complications the rabies vaccine can cause. Some dogs tolerate vaccination well, while others, due to the individual sensitivity of the body to the components and adjuvants of the veterinary drug, may develop general or local side effects.

Important! The development of post-vaccination complications can also be caused by improper preparation of the animal for vaccination, the administration of expired vaccines, and also if at the time of vaccine administration the animal was weakened or the veterinarian did not reveal hidden infections and pathologies during examination.

Complications after rabies immunization develop either in the first few hours after the injection or may appear after two to three weeks. Therefore, carefully monitor the condition and behavior of your pet for a month.

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Possible side effects after rabies vaccination:

allergies, rash, itching;
compaction, appearance of a lump, swelling, sarcoma at the injection site;
lethargy, depression, apathy;
promotion ;
decreased activity, changes in behavior;
loss of appetite, unstable stool, nausea, ;
drooling, involuntary urination, defecation;
temporary lameness, spasms, epileptic seizures, impaired coordination of movements.

After the administration of the rabies vaccine, the dog may have an abnormal heart rhythm and difficulty breathing.

Important! In some cases, especially in high-breed, miniature dogs, vaccination can cause the development of autoimmune diseases, in which the body cannot cope with the infection and in case of liver damage, the chances of survival are minimal.

As a rule, in the first 12-28 hours the dog may refuse food. Possible attacks of nausea, one-time vomiting, diarrhea, the appearance of a lump, painful swelling at the injection site. The temperature rises slightly (by 0.5-1 degrees). The dog may not control its natural urges and may limp while walking.

Puppies show anxiety, whine, demand increased attention from their owners, refuse to play, and react inappropriately to stimuli.

The intensity of post-vaccination complications depends on the individual, physiological characteristics of the body, and age. In puppies, side symptoms occur more often and are more pronounced than in adult dogs.

When to sound the alarm and what to do if complications arise

As already noted, after vaccination, owners must monitor the condition of their pet. After the administration of an anti-rabies drug, some of the symptoms that develop in dogs go away on their own on about the second or third day. The dog's condition should return to normal within a week!

Advice! After immunization, do not take your pet home immediately. As a rule, an uncharacteristic reaction develops in the first 10-40 minutes after administration of the rabies vaccine. Even if the dog tolerated the vaccine well, consult your doctor about how to care for your pet.

If after vaccination your dog has a slightly elevated temperature, occasional vomiting, diarrhea, refusal to feed, increased thirst, swelling at the injection site, or lameness, do not worry. Provide the dog with peace, protect it from stress, surround the pet with attention, slaughter.

Read also: What to feed a dog during/after piroplasmosis?

Symptoms that require contacting a veterinarian:

severe shortness of breath, heavy breathing;
increase or decrease in temperature by more than one degree, fever;
frothy profuse salivation;
debilitating vomiting, profuse fetid diarrhea;
convulsions, epileptic seizures, other neurological conditions;
disorientation in space;
refusal to eat for more than a day;
increased thirst;
swelling of the limbs, muzzle, ears;
pallor, cyanosis of mucous membranes;
increased swelling at the injection site, abscess, phlegmon, sarcoma;
discharge from the nose, eyes;
severe depression, apathy, depression.

Emergency assistance is required when acute allergies develop, which can trigger anaphylactic shock.

It manifests itself as a violation of respiratory function, heart rhythm, swelling of the body, paws, a sharp drop in temperature, and convulsions. If help is not provided in time. The dog may die due to suffocation.

What to do if complications arise? If the dog’s condition progressively worsens after immunization, signs of malaise are noticeable, immediately contact a veterinarian, call him at home or take the animal to a hospital.

Remember that serious post-vaccination complications can harm the body and even cause death.

In case of an acute allergic reaction, antihistamines (Suprastin, Diphenhydramine, Dexamethasone, Pipolfen), corticosteroids, homeopathic remedies are used, and detoxification therapy is carried out.
For anaphylactic shock, adrenaline (epinephrine), cardiac glycosides, and adrenergic agonists are used.
To relieve bronchospasm, intravenous euphellin.
For swelling of the larynx - tracheostomy.
If necessary, resuscitation measures are carried out, depending on the severity of the process.
After the dog has been brought out of anaphylactic shock, desensitizing drugs prescribed by the veterinarian are used over the next few days.