My Shih Tzu is lethargic, in pain, not eating days after vaccine. Why?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Possible side effects after vaccines include pain at the injection site, lethargy, inappetence, diarrhea and general discomfort. I am concerned that Pepper is not drinking water and could become dehydrated. For this reason, I recommend you have Pepper evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would also be able to make sure that there is nothing else concerning going on. Pepper will likely start feeling better shortly. Good luck and best wishes!

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.

Hi and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. He may be having a vaccine reaction. Sometimes it can be painful at the injection site and dogs can be sore. I would recommend calling your veterinarian tonight and letting them know that Wolfie is not feeling great. They may prescribed him some anti-inflammatory medication, fluids or anti-nausea medication to help him feel a little better. Good luck!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Possible side effects after vaccines include pain at the injection site, lethargy, inappetence and general discomfort. This should subside within 1-2 days. If it does not improve or it worsens, have Boomer evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Otherwise, Boomer will likely start feeling better shortly. Good luck and best wishes!

I'm sorry to hear that Lettie is not feeling like her usual self! It should be noted that even normal puppy vaccines can lead to some side effects such as lethargy (decreased activity, tiredness), swelling or tenderness around the injection site and even mild nausea (possibly the drooling). That being said, rarely dogs can undergo an allergic reaction to vaccines which often show up as vomiting, collapse, and swelling of the face or other limbs. If these have been observed she should be seen by a veterinarian immediately. In regards to the safety of administering the Heartguard and Nexgard along with the vaccines, it is standard protocol to begin these preventative medications at this time and are safe to give to a puppy of Lettie's age. The most important thing going forward is to continue to monitor Lettie for any worsening or changing of her clinical signs. For example, if she starts to vomit becomes even more tired or lethargic, continues to want to eat or do anything after more than a day, or even have swelling around her face then she needs to be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

Puppy's getting sleepy after their shots is a normal reaction to vaccinations. They can also have a low grade fever and/or one bout of vomiting/diarrhea normally that are no cause for concern. The concern arises when your pet is severely lethargic, not eating, non-responsive, pale gums, or excessive vomiting/diarrhea. If you notice any of these symptoms then it is best to take puppy to a vet asap for immediate care, because a mores serious vaccine reaction is occurring at that point.

It could be that Peppa isn't feeling well, and may be more lethargic than usual. I'm not sure if this started right after she got her shots or a few days later. If it happened a day or two later, this will not be related to getting her vaccines. Given that she is eating and drinking, I wouldn't be too concerned just yet. Keep an eye on her for now, and if this behavior continues or she develops other signs such as vomiting, anorexia, or diarrhea, then take her back into the vet for an exam. Best of luck, I hope this helps.