My dog is acting strange and yelping. Is this normal after a vaccine?

My suspicion is that this is injection-site pain and not a "true" vaccine reaction, however I do know that dogs (especially small ones) can be pretty painful in the limb they were vaccinated in for up to 36 hours afterwards. I wouldn't call it "normal" but we definitely see it - both of my own small dogs were painful after their last lepto vaccine. Because they can be pretty miserable, I would recommend calling your vet and asking if they might dispense a bit of pain relief - perhaps only 2 - 3 days worth - to make sure Ted is comfortable over the weekend. And if you see other more concerning signs - swelling about the head or face, difficulty breathing, vomiting, collapse - take him right into an emergency facility.

You can see some pain where the vaccines were given. Do not give Penelope any human pain relievers, many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given. You can try putting a cold compress on the area where she got her vaccines to see if that helps. She should be back to normal within 24 hours, but if she isn't, have her seen by a vet. Best of luck.

It can be painful to get vaccines and smaller breed dogs can act more painful than they really are! Sometimes, to be honest, they can be a bit of drama queens. You should what it's like to trim a pug's nails lol. You'd think you are killing them with all the noise they make! Anyway, you can put an ice pack where Nixon got the vaccines to see if that helps, but he should be back to normal in a day or two. Best of luck.

Hello there, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I'm sorry to hear that Snapple isn't feeling well. It isn't entirely uncommon for dogs to feel sore and puny after a round of vaccines - just like people can. They can cause soreness at the area of injection and mild general malaise, which would explain Snapple's unwillingness to move and whimpering when you try to touch her. This will probably abate over the next day, but if you notice any other symptoms such as swelling, difficulty breathing, vomiting, or diarrhea, please call your vet as these may indicate a more serious reaction. This is very unlikely as most severe vaccine reactions occur within an hour of the shots, but it is always better to be safe than sorry. If she's still acting puny tomorrow, feel free to call your vet and let them know. They may be able to recommend or prescribe an anti-inflammatory/pain reliever that will make her feel much better. Do not give her anything over the counter as it may not be safe for her. Good luck, and I hope that Snapple gets back on her feet soon!

Some puppies can have some mild pain from the injections. You could call your vet and see if he/she could prescribe an anti-inflammatory to help with the discomfort. It usually only lasts for 24-48 hours.

This type of side effect is not uncommon, pain at the site of the vaccination can be severe but it is usually not considered to be an emergency. if the pain seems to still be severe tomorrow, take her to your vet to get it checked, if your vet judges that the pain is indeed severe he will probably give her a pain killer for a couple days.

Hi, thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. If Tika is eating and drinking and acting normally otherwise she is probably just a little sore from her vaccinations. If she is extremely painful, not eating, has vomited then she could be having a more serious vaccine reaction. If she is, then take her to an emergency clinic tonight. Do not give Tika any otc human pain medications. If she is just a bit sore, then wait and call her regular vet in the morning. If she is still painful they may prescribe some medication. Even if she is better, let them know to make a note in her chart, sometimes medication may be given before vaccinations to prevent reaction. I hope Tika is back to normal soon.