My vet's office is closed at this hour and I need to know if this significant enough to call the emergency vet line. My chihuahua was vaccinated today with booster shots plus Bordatella and Rabies shots. She was fine until about 6 or 7, when all the sudden her energy levels dropped off significantly. I left her with my family at 8 to run some errands and put her in her bed before I left, and now, 3 hours later, she hasn't moved an inch from where I put her. My father had to bring water and some food (which she wouldn't eat very willingly) OVER to her. She's a very active and playful pup usually and acted nothing near this bad last time she had her shots. Is it just the rabies shot taking its toll, or should I be concerned? Is this normal lethargy that should be expected after these shots or is it significant enough to call and get her in as soon as I can?
2007-12-05 16:48:02 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Call the number if they think there is a problem they will tell you. I have never heard of a dog doing this after shots hope all is well
2007-12-05 16:53:33 · answer #1 · answered by Jeff W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Proably this is just lethargy from the vaccinations - give her a little corn syrup - if she is developing low blood sugar this will help to perk her up. If she does not perk up with that - call your vet.
If you see any swelling of the face, or hives, you need to call the vet right away, because it is an allergic reaction.
Just because a 50lb puppy got through a vacc reaction without help, doesn't mean a little chihuahua puppy will - they have much less reserve than the bigger dogs do and need extra attention when they are sick.
In the future, you may want to have the vaccinations separated so she is not getting so many at once.
2007-12-05 17:11:11 · answer #2 · answered by jmcarrollfan 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She could be going into anaphylactic shock-- vaccine reactions can do this. Press her gums and see if they pale and then go right back pink... if not, that is a sign of shock (or if they are just really pale). Also, pull her scruff up gently and see if the skin snaps right back. If not, she's dehydrating. You can feel her earflaps and groin area to see if she feels very cool or very hot-- if you have a themometer take her temp. Normal for dog is 102.3 degrees. I agree, I would go ahead and call the emergency vet and describe her symptoms and see if they think she should be seen. Shots can cause serious reactions in some dogs and cats, so this is nothing to mess around with. Shock can close an airway, and you don't want to try to drive to the vet while needing to do mouth to mouth on the dog.
2007-12-05 17:01:06 · answer #3 · answered by Darkstone 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Please don't listen to the "vet tech" . Anaphylactic shock will only be present in the first 30 minutes after a vaccine is given. Yes it is scary. No your dog is not going into shock. She is having a reaction. She should not have been given that many vaccines at one time for such a small dog. No she will not die. Give her a BABY aspirin and if she is not feeling better take her back in the the vet in the morning. They can give her some fluids and some anti-imflamatories. Next time she gets shots do it one at a time. Also have them give her 5 mg. of Prednisone or at least some Rimadyl. Vaccine reactions aren't all bad, it means her immune system is working really well.
2007-12-05 17:13:29 · answer #4 · answered by Mary J 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
im not sure about the bordatella, but after my girls chihuahua got a rabies shot, he became lethargic for the rest of the night. (i actually gave it too him cause i was working at a vet at the time). after getting that much medicine from a shot, im sure she is feelin a bit under the weather. But if you think its serious, better safe than sorry.
2007-12-05 17:02:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a stronger reaction than I'd have expected, so call the on-call vet and talk to him on the phone and ask. It may simply be a stronger than usual reaction to the shots, but it's better to ask and you will feel much better.
Not knowing is worse than knowing there's a problem. Your mind keeps thinking of all kinds of horrible things and you just get more and more nervous... so CALL... you may not need to be seen, but you SHOULD CALL.
2007-12-05 16:59:02 · answer #6 · answered by Nedra E 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This sounds like a sugar drop which can cause seizures.
Ahe should get to a vet as soon as possible.
But first give her a 1/2 teaspoon of sugar and put a teaspoon of honey in her water to drink.
She may not want it but force it.
Take her to the vets as soon as possible if it is a sugar drop she may perk up within a short amount of time but still needs to see a vet.
YOu may wnat to get Nutrical to hav on hand.
If you need anymore help you can email me.
2007-12-05 21:15:23 · answer #7 · answered by Kit_kat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well i know that a kid is not a dog but when my kiddo gets shots she s pretty puny for about a day. I would wait till morning. She my just need some rest-its hard on puppies-and kids-to get shots-if it would make you feel better though call the vet-that is what they get paid for
2007-12-05 16:57:32 · answer #8 · answered by River Rat 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Post-vaccine reactions are not as uncommon as many people believe. Don't wait -- call the emergency vet right away.
2007-12-05 16:56:29 · answer #9 · answered by FairlyErica 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
personally, i think this is just the vaccine. my 50lb pup had the same reaction. keep checking on her. does she open her eyes and seem responsive? if yes, then i think she is ok until morning. if you feel at anytime that something is 'off', it can't hurt to call.
2007-12-05 17:06:40 · answer #10 · answered by Brittany 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋