Which Side-Effects Do I Need to Watch out for After My Dog's Vaccination?

Getting your dog to the vet for a vaccination can be tricky and tiring. However, your job isn't over once the injection has been given; you'll need to keep an eye out to make sure that no unexpected side-effects occur. Of course, there's no real need to worry – and especially no need to avoid the vaccination altogether. Only a very small percentage of pooches will experience even a temporary reaction, and the risks of leaving them unprotected are much more serious.

Minor Side Effects

One of the most common side-effects of a vaccination is fatigue. The vaccination itself might be stressful for even the most adventurous of canines, but the whole experience of going in the car and into a new environment – which contains a rich array of animal smells – is overwhelming in itself, especially since your dog will probably still be a puppy. They might therefore exhibit less energy for around 24 hours after the vaccination.

Other minor side effects include slight discomfort at the injection site (pay attention to where you're stroking), with possibly a small amount of hair loss – though this should be mild.

Other Side-Effects

The following side-effects are more noticeably negative for your doggy; luckily, they're a lot rarer. They're also usually benign and simply down to the individual differences among dogs, but if they last longer than a day or two, you should certainly contact a vet.

In addition to a general lack of energy, your dog may seem off their food – even when it comes to treats. You should also watch for signs associated with a mild fever, including raised temperature, frequent sneezing, mild coughing, or a build-up of mucus around the nose. The latter symptoms are most likely to occur 2-5 days after your dog receives an intranasal vaccine.

Serious Side-Effects

The least common side-effects are also the ones which you should be most on the lookout for. They're usually attributed to allergic reactions and often occur within minutes or hours of the vaccination. Fortunately, they are also easy to identify. Vomiting, diarrhoea, difficulty breathing, severe coughing, or a swelling around the muzzle or face should be treated seriously – report these symptoms as soon as they occur. You should also make sure that any swelling has disappeared within three weeks. If this doesn't happen, contact your vet.

It's important to emphasise that even the mildest of side effects are very rarely felt, and that even a serious allergic reaction can be countered and cured in ways which the diseases that these vaccinations protect against cannot. It's worth making sure you know how to identify any potential warning signs, but you and your four-legged buddy should have nothing to worry about.

For more information about your dog's vaccinations, contact a local vet clinic.