vaccines and sore puppy

[PupsnPonies]

Maybe some of you have experienced this with your puppies but this is a first for me. Have you ever had your puppies get sore/sleep a lot, after their last puppy shots? Tucker had his 15 week shots ( the DHLPPC) and Rabies today. They gave them in his rear "hip" area and he is really sore there tonight, running a slight fever and not wanting to run around or play. His temp at the vets this morning before shots was fine, 100.7. He slept a lot through the afternoon and was very subdued. Tonight he felt hot and I took his temp and it was 102.8. I called the after hours vet clinic and they said that puppies do that sometimes after the Rabies and not to worry but I don't remember any of my Berner pups feeling so puny after shots and he also doesn't want you to touch his hips ( he whimpers, poor guy). He also has had some very loose stools so I've got plain Pedialyte in his water bowl with his water.
Have any of you seen this before? How concerned should I be?

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by PupsnPonies

Maybe some of you have experienced this with your puppies but this is a first for me. Have you ever had your puppies get sore/sleep a lot, after their last puppy shots? Tucker had his 15 week shots ( the DHLPPC) and Rabies today. They gave them in his rear "hip" area and he is really sore there tonight, running a slight fever and not wanting to run around or play. His temp at the vets this morning before shots was fine, 100.7. He slept a lot through the afternoon and was very subdued. Tonight he felt hot and I took his temp and it was 102.8. I called the after hours vet clinic and they said that puppies do that sometimes after the Rabies and not to worry but I don't remember any of my Berner pups feeling so puny after shots and he also doesn't want you to touch his hips ( he whimpers, poor guy). He also has had some very loose stools so I've got plain Pedialyte in his water bowl with his water.
Have any of you seen this before? How concerned should I be?

The rabies shot was probably given in the muscle (since it was given in the rear). The combo shot is normally give subcutaneous (under the skin). So yes, a shot in the muscle would make a dog sore as opposed to one given under the skin.

The occasional puppy will react as yours is. Keep an eye on him. If his temp goes any higher, he quits drinking or won't eat then I'd have him in to see the vet.

Peggy

[Freppan]

I have never heard of this happening before, but if the vet clinic said that he was fine, he probably is. Still, if you want a second opinion, you could try calling a different office.

[MyPemCharlie]

Charlie's breeder gave him his shot updates the day I picked him up. She said he might be sore and have loose stools for a couple of days. He did.

On his first puppy shot updates and my vet, they gave him the shot between his shoulder blades. The injection site had a small lump for about a week, and was very sore. He also had a little bit of loose stool for a day. The vet said that was normal.

His final vaccines with the rabies, he had some soreness, but no lump or loose stools.

All the shots seems to make him a little more tired than normal for about a day.

I do think some side effects are normal.

[momentaiamber]

yes this is all normal. Puppies get tired after shots. Think back to around November when you got your flu shot. I bet you were sore and tired. I usually am. I agree with Peggy. If he stops eating and drinking and the temp goes up more, then take him to a vet. Otherwise just let him rest.

[PupsnPonies]

Thanks for all the nice responses. He woke up this morning much more active but still sore at the site. I think it will take a day or 2 for it to feel "normal" again.
Thanks again!

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by MyPemCharlie

Charlie's breeder gave him his shot updates the day I picked him up. She said he might be sore and have loose stools for a couple of days. He did.

On his first puppy shot updates and my vet, they gave him the shot between his shoulder blades. The injection site had a small lump for about a week, and was very sore. He also had a little bit of loose stool for a day. The vet said that was normal.

A shot given in the shoulder area is the combo shot that is givein sub-q (under the skin). The lump is the fluid in the vaccine, it didn't absorb right away.

His final vaccines with the rabies, he had some soreness, but no lump or loose stools.

No lump for a shot given in the muscle. Which is where most rabies shots are given.

Peggy

[Michael Romanos]

I have never had a Corgi who when given any, what use to be called 'annual vaccination' shots, respond with any kind of side affects. But the administration of these shots have always been in the back of the neck.

[fogebotom]

I actually had a cardigan who had a reaction to his rabies shot. When he got his first puppy rabies shot, he went extremely lame in the rear, even though it was given to him in the shoulder area. The second time he got his rabies-his 3 yr one, he went totally lame in his rear to the point where he couldnt' walk. It was noted on the front of his chart that he would need to be put on steriods and such before we did his next rabies-unfortunately that is one shot that I can't get a state waiver on. Hoping his new home remembers this when he's due for his shot next year.

Some vaccines can have a reaction, even if your vet doesn't sound concerned, make a note in your own records. The next time he goes in for his shots, remind them that he had a slight reaction and they usually will be more careful about where and how they give him the shot and also ask you to contact them the following day for an update.