Vaccine Allergies in Dogsby Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger 26 Apr 2008 01:54 PM Most of the time, our four-legged friends handle their annual vaccinations with no problems. Once in a while, a pet may experience an adverse reaction to the vaccine. Ischemic dermatopathy (also known as cutaneous vasculitis) is a rare reaction to the rabies vaccine. Symptoms include:
Symptoms of this reaction can show up within a few weeks of injection but can take several months to develop to a noticeable level. If your dog experiences this sort of reaction to the rabies vaccine, you should try to avoid vaccines from the same manufacturer. The vaccine carrier is just as often a culprit as the immunogen itself. Talk to your veterinarian about having vaccinations as infrequently as medically and legally allowable. Many vaccine manufacturers are now developing and making shots that provide three years of coverage, rather than just one. Anaphylaxis -- severe allergic reaction -- is very rare in dogs. However, some dogs can develop hives within minutes of receiving the injection. Your vet can treat this with antihistamines and/or corticosteroids. In rare cases, dogs develop vaccine-associated sarcoma -- a type of malignant tumor that can be linked to certain vaccines. This reaction is more likely in cats than in dogs. The bottom line -- keep an eye on your pet after they have their annual shots. As a pet owner, you are in the best position to know whether or not they are experiencing some sort of reaction. It isn't a good idea to skip your dog's shots entirely. Just like human immunizations, dog vaccines can reduce or eliminate the chance of your pet contracting a potentially deadly disease (like rabies or distemper). Learn more about Aimee Amodio  Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover... Relevantpets tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Discuss this article
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