Posted on 07/16/2013 7:10:29 PM PDT by cva66snipe
We have a Toy Rat Terrier {from a Chihuahua mix} we think is having a delayed reaction to her annual vaccines. Last Tuesday she had her Rabies, Bordetella/Kennel Cough, DA2PP, vaccines. Yesterday evening she started breaking out in bumps on her skin as well as vomiting and bloody stool with diarrhea.
Normally I would assume it is a virus except for this part of her history last year. Last year she had the same shots and about a week later these same symptoms happened and had to be treated. The Vet at that time which was one open on a Saturday gave her antihistamine and Steroids. Today different Vet her regular Vet this time gave her Benedryl, Famotidine injection, and Metronidazole orally to take 14 days.
I believe this is being caused by one of the vaccines. The Vets both of them say a week is too long for that too happen. She's still not wanting to hold down food well but bladder and bowel function is there.
Has anyone experienced this before in this timeframe of delay? This is my wife's companion dog and acts also as my service dog for my hearing with hearing aids out. Thanks.
A quick read says rabies vac can indeed give reaction like this, and that small dogs in particular may be more likely to react. Also that combo shots are more dangerous for them.
If they don’t think it’s allergy why did they give you Benadryl? Just to be sure?
They gave it too her in a shot form in the Vets Office but I do keep it on hand myself for the dogs first aid in event of stings etc.
Benadryl is also good for other uses from controlling adverse reactions too allergies. So that part made perfect sense to me. I used to break out in Hives for no determined reason and a shot of Benadryl in the sitter was the usual Emergency Room Protocol. Thanks for the Rabies Info. I have a year now to do some serious digging.
Second the chicken and rice. Cottage cheese isn’t bad but try boiled chicken and rice first. Tiny pieces for you sensitive small dog.
Believe me, no one has had the variety of issues I’ve had with one single dog. She’s 11 now.
Just talked to Vet again. Now they’re on board about shots. Her belly overnight had broken out just like last year. So I’ll be picking up Benadryl pills this afternoon about 10-12 MG 2 times a day.. It’s a relief just to get the cause pinned down.
Really hope everything works out.
I can take whatever life throws at me so long as my dogs are healthy....:)
Check out the info. on vaccines from holistic vet Karen Becker on her site: www.healthypets.mercola.com
Here is a search link for some of her articles on vaccinosis:
Bottom line: the head immunologist, Dr. Ron Schultz, advises that vaccines should NOT be given yearly, but titering should be done at intervals reflecting the current protocols (3 years for Rabies and for Distemper/Parvo). As the dog gets older (over 10 years old), those titers can be repeated more often (yearly) as dogs tend to lose some of their immunity as they age, just as humans do.
If a dog has a reaction (and no, a week is not “too long” for a reaction — not at all!!), do not vaccinate again. Use titers and if you absolutely MUST vaccinate for something be sure it is a single vaccine and not a “mombo combo”. Bordetella is pretty useless and shouldn’t be administered unless you have to do so for boarding purposes. It will not prevent kennel cough, but supposedly makes the case milder if caught. The problem is it has a low lasting immunity and must be administered about every 6 months....which is a lot for a vaccine. The purpose of the bordatella shot is for liability purposes for businesses and has nothing to do with the health of the pet. Most dogs can throw off a case of kennel cough fairly easily if their immune system is not compromised. Hope this helps!
We titer also, starting this year. No more vaccines for us! You are right, of course. Many long-term illnesses, chronic and some fatal, are linked to over vaccination, although most vets are still reluctant to make the connection.
The same vaccine is administered, according to Dr. Ron Schultz — whether labeled for one year or three. Pet parent “beware”.
So your Vet vaccinated a sick dog??? That’s a big “no no”. Labels and studies all point to the necessity of a non-compromised dog for vaccination to be given. The fact that the “reactions” are getting worse should be a HUGE red flag!! What happens when the Bendadryl doesn’t work and you lose your dog?? No way would I take that kind of chance. It’s not worth it, and as many have stated here, there are many other options.
Is your dog at “high risk” for getting rabies? Probably not. There are very few domestic animal rabies cases — or even wild animal rabies cases today in the U.S. Unless my dog ran wild I would titer for this one too. Yes, I know “it’s the law” blah blah blah, but unless you live in a nanny state where what you do or don’t do at the vet’s office is reported to the state, I wouldn’t give it a second thought. Titer to be sure she’s protected, but if she’s an inside dog and doesn’t come into contact with wildlife on her own where you can’t protect her, I wouldn’t take the risk.
Loved reading your post! We are also “raw feeders” and have seen some “chronic” problems clear up because of the stronger immune systems our dogs now have. We also titer. Always great to meet another like-minded person on this issue!!
I meant she was in trouble when he gave her the antibiotics and bendadyrl. She was fine a week before on the day of her shots. I took her to the Vet the day I posted for the reaction.
Well yesterday she ate like she was starving today she's turning her nose up at food. I wish he'd gave her some steroid.
I hope she’s better soon, but I would highly recommend getting a holistic/integrative vet on your team for cases like this. They will work with you on strengthening her immune system and on helping her body “right” itself without causing further harm with steroids, drugs, etc... Here is a great link for finding someone: www.ahvma.org
Please keep us posted on how she’s doing!
She's a special little dog. We got her to keep my wife company and we needed a dog that was small enough to lay in her lap but could also make the jump from the floor up to her lap in the wheelchair. That's almost three feet. The Toy Ratty is able too. She's also highly protective and not scared of anything or anybody LOL. My wife trained her to also wake me up or come and get me when she needs me for something. I'm partially deaf and sleep with my hearing aids out. She wakes me up if someone is outside or my cell phone rings etc.
We also have a large Ratty we rescued. She's the CEO of our Two Terriers Home Security Service LOL. In the cooler months she also rides around with me on errands.
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