As humans, people debate about whether or not vaccines are safe. And, as it turns out, the same is true when it comes to dog shots. Veterinarians generally agree that dog shots are important. However, there are sometimes some serious changes in dog behavior after vaccination.
In both humans and animals, many diseases have been completely eliminated thanks to the regular use of vaccines. This is why it’s so important to get your dog their shots. However, despite the importance of vaccines, they’re not completely risk-free.
In this article, we’ll talk about some of the potential risks of vaccines and the ways that you might notice some changes in dog behavior after vaccination.
What Changes in Dog Behavior After Vaccination?
There are a couple of things that might happen after your dog gets its shots. The most common reactions are mild side effects. However, in serious cases, you might find that your dog has an allergic reaction (called anaphylaxis). Certain types of shots, like rabies shots, can also have very specific side effects.
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is an allergic reaction that can occur to any dog that’s given any type of vaccination. This type of reaction is generally more common when dogs are given vaccines that contain higher numbers of proteins. The more individual substances involved, the higher chance of your dog being allergic to one of the ingredients.
To make things even more confusing, your dog’s second or third shot may contain different proteins than the original shot. This means they might surprise you by getting anaphylaxis on their third shot!
Anaphylaxis can cause life-threatening symptoms, but fortunately, shots are given in the vet’s office. Vets understand dog anatomy and can provide emergency treatment if it’s necessary.
Autoimmune Problems
Dogs may also develop autoimmune hemolytic anemia after getting a shot. This tragic condition can affect your dog for life. It most often occurs with vaccines containing life antigens, such as parvo.
Side Effects
Less serious side effects of vaccines often occur at the site of the shot. These include issues like pain, red skin, itching, irritation, swollen skin, and abscesses. In more serious cases your dog may develop a patch of hardened skin.
These side effects generally go away on their own after a few hours or a week.
There can also be some systemic side effects, that may appear a couple of days after your dog gets its shot. These can include vomiting, high fever, low energy, weight loss, decreased appetite, and low mood. These issues often go away quite quickly.
Specific shots like the rabies shot can cause their own range of side effects. The rabies vaccine, in particular, is known to cause aggression and rage in certain dogs. Rabies vaccines can also cause nerve damage.
Conclusion
Vaccines are known to help prevent the spread of disease, but they can also cause some pretty dangerous side effects. Be sure that you’re prepared for the possibility of your dog developing some unwanted side effects. More importantly, make sure that the vet has the proper supplies on hand for an emergency.
