question about my pup and his shots?

Question

My 12 week old great dane pup got another set of shots today. He got one in his left shoulder and one in his right shoulder. When the doc was giving him the one in the left shoulder the pup jerked away and the needle came out and he had to stick it back in. Well I noticed a few hours after being home that the left shoulder where he got the shot is swollen. Theres a good sized little lump there, nothing crazy, but definatly noticable. Could it be that the needle hit the muscle and thats why he flinched or why its swollen? Any advice is appreciated. Thx

Answer 1

You could put a cool compress on it for ten to fifteen minutes at a time about three or four times a day. That can be really helpful.
Some dog aspirin would help too, if you want to check with the vet about getting it. It's not a human drug. There are better dog-only anti-inflammatories that would reduce the swelling and pain. It should go away in a few days or take the dog to be checked for infection, or if he has symptoms of infection, like loss of appetite, fever, lethargy, go right away.

It's probably just some trauma from the shot that will go away on its own. My babies have had this with shots and I've seen it in dogs, cats and horses, too.

Answer 2

This is likely the vaccine itself still sitting there under the skin. It can take awhile for it "dispurse" through the body. Lightly massaging the area, and cold packs can help. If any other symptoms show up, lack of appetite, just not himself etc, I'd give the vet a call just to be sure. The lump should go away on its own in a day or two, if it doesn't again give your vet a call.

Answer 3

keep an eye on the area for 24 hours if the swelling doesn't go down call your vet back. the vet may have hit the muscle, that's why they normally pull the skin away from the body and inject the shot as to not hit muscle.