My puppy is in pain after leptospirosis vaccine. What can I do?

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.

While not considered a "core" vaccine, the leptospirosis vaccine is highly recommended for dogs who may be at risk for contracting leptospirosis, as it is a disease that can lead to agonizing deaths in both animals and humans. See the links below for more information: https://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/Leptospirosis.aspx https://ebusiness.avma.org/files/productdownloads/LR_COM_ClientBroch_Leptospirosis_022616.pdf

I'm so sorry that Zeke is painful after his vaccination. Unfortunately, pain at the injection site is a possible side effect of vaccinations and some small dogs tend to become achy and painful all over. I would recommend contacting your veterinarian. There are some prescription pain medications that can be very helpful in decreasing pain and inflammation associated with vaccination. I will typically use Metacam which works very well. You may also ask your veterinarian if Zeke should have pain medication in the future before his vaccinations, so he does not have this problem again. Good luck! I hope that was helpful and that Zeke feels better soon. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Please call your veterinarian or the local emergency clinic to see if Penny needs to be examined by a vet, and to get pain medication that is safer than aspirin. Aspirin (even when sold at pet shops and marketed as being specifically for dogs) can lead to gastrointestinal issues like vomiting and diarrhea, and can be toxic in some cases. The same is true for other pain medication meant for people. There are many safer options that your local vet can help you with. You can also try icing the area for 5-10 minutes four times a day to see if that helps in the meantime. I hope Penny feels better soon!

Good on you for getting your puppies their lepto vaccines! When puppies get their vaccines, it can be painful for them at the injection site for around 24-48 hours, and that is normal. I would avoid carrying them if it makes them cry, and you can try putting a cold compress on site if they will let you for five minutes at a time a couple of times of day to see if that helps. Please do not give them any human pain medications, as many are toxic to puppies and can be fatal if given. This pain should go away in a day or two. If it doesn't, give the vet a call, as they may want to see the puppies. As for side effects, typically you would see them develop within 24 hours of the vaccines. Keep an eye on them for now, but serious side effects are rare and they should be fine. I hope this helps!

Well that depends on the severity of the adverse reaction. If she is having a mild vaccine reaction (1 bout of vomiting, loose stool), then an anti-histamine (i.e. Benadryl) can be given in most cases and will calm the reaction down. However if she is having a more severe adverse reaction (i.e. continuous vomiting, anaphylaxis, severe lethargy, anorexia), then she will need an antihistamine shot (for immediate reversal), +/- steroid shot from your vet , +/- fluid therapy and close monitoring to ensure that the reaction subsides and that she remains stable.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Moki. He sounds painful based on the signs you have described. This is most common after vaccinations in small breed dogs. I would recommend contacting your veterinarian this morning. If his physical exam did not reveal any other source of pain, then it is likely due to the vaccine. His veterinarian will likely prescribe a pain medication for him. Do not give any over-the-counter pain meds. I hope this information helps!