Dog vomited after heartworm shot. Is it a side effect or vet visit?

That could be a normal side effect due to the vaccine and car's trip combined together. I would suggest to start feeding with a bland diet based on boiled chicken and rice in small portion every 6 hours for the following 48hours. Then gradually reintroduce the normal diet over 5 days. I would definitively recommend a veterinary check up if the signs persist or you notice diarrhoea, more vomiting, lethargy or inappetence. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

That is unlikely to be related to heart worms, but more likely to dietary indiscretion. As a first approach I would recommend to withhold food for the next 8-12 hours and then start feeding with a bland diet based on boiled chicken and rice in small portion every 6 hours for the following 48hours. Then gradually reintroduce the normal diet over 5 days. I would definitively recommend a veterinary check up if the signs persist or you notice diarrhoea, more vomiting, lethargy or inappetence. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Side effects can be common after heartworm treatment shots. You can see soreness and swelling at the site of the injection, and abscesses can form over time in this spot. Definitely let your vet know of Charlie is very uncomfortable or if his condition appears to be worsening over time. The most severe problems are related to the sudden death of large amounts of heartworms. Get Charlie into a vet right away if you notice a cough or a pre-existing cough becomes worse, he has difficulty breathing, pants excessively, becomes weak or lethargic, collapses, he has a significant drop in exercise, he starts vomiting, drools a lot, or has diarrhea. Best of luck, I hope this helps!

I would not worry too much about the pinkishness. This could be from coloring in the medication or from strenuous vomiting. As long as the vomitus is not frank blood, I would not worry about it. It is quite possible that he is suffering from a side effect of the Interceptor. This will usually pass. However: Throwing up can be caused by a food sensitivity, dietary indiscretion, intestinal parasites, an intestinal blockage, bacterial infection, viral infection, the weather, food change, stress, etc.  I would fast Jack for 24 hours and then put the dog on bland food for two days, such as boiled white rice and boiled white boneless chicken meat, fed in small quantities over several feeds and then transition back to regular food slowly over a few days. If this does not clear up the vomiting or if the vomiting increases, or if your dog gets lethargic, it needs to see a veterinarian for an exam as there may be something more serious such as an infection going on.

It is not uncommon for dogs to vomit after medication and generally if it is more then 2 hours after the medication should have worked. As the food was undigested it may not have been absorbed as well as anticipated and it may be worth applying a different type of spot on medication, especially if you are in a heartworm affected area. Contact your local vets office for advice on the local risks and benefits of repeating or not

That is absolutely enough. I would suggest NOT to repeat the dosage. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Hello. Heartguard is generally considered very safe, even in a dog with a current heart worm infection. If there was a reaction due to the presence of heartworms, it is almost always some kind of pulmonary event. So, it is possible that he has just developed a sensitivity or had a one off reaction to the Heartguard. Do think about having Buster tested before giving another pill, & do try to remember to give it every 30 days. All heartworm medications do a great job, but only if doses are not skipped, especially for dogs living in warmer climates. And if he does not seem better tomorrow, please make an appointment with your vet to have things checked out. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.