Vaccinations for dogs are a hot topic: Many dog owners view them rather skeptically and hear reports from other animal lovers that their dogs were a bit strange afterwards. However, this is largely unfounded, because most Vaccination reactions of dogs are completely harmless and only short-lived.
Nevertheless, it's good to know what to expect after a prick: That's why you'll find it below the 9 most common symptoms, which dogs often show after vaccination.
9 typical vaccination reactions in dogs
1. Dog has a fever
Like people, dogs often react too Fever for a vaccination. These are usually rather low elevated temperatures – in four-legged friends they are usually around 39.5 to 40 degrees.
This reaction is not only harmless, but even intentional: the vaccination serum simulates a harmless “mini-infection” in the body tests the immune system. If it attacks the supposed pathogen, fever is a completely normal defensive reaction.
Fever occurs with most vaccinations a few hours after the injection and fades away again after a short time.
Video with good reasons for pet vaccinations. Source: MSD Animal Health / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukN0ayGd08o.
2. lethargy & shabby condition
Due to the immune reaction provoked by the vaccine, the dog's body needs a lot of strength to be able to adapt to the simulated illness. Accordingly, the organism no longer has time to frolic or be very active.
In practice it looks like the animal is very… weak impression makes and is rather lethargic. Also Body aches can occur, for example the dog then has pain in the leg. So you shouldn't be surprised if your darling in the first few days after the vaccination sleeps more than usual and doesn't have much desire for otherwise loved activities.
3. Swelling at the injection site & itching
Furthermore, it can happen – even days after the vaccination – that the four-legged friend usually swelling in the neck area has. As the disease progresses, itching often occurs, so that the dog constantly tries to scratch at one spot.
This is usually a secondary effect: So it doesn't come from the vaccination itself, but from the injection.
4. Inflammation
Occasionally it happens that the dog has to struggle with the puncture site for a long time: the swelling simply won't go away, and if you try to touch it there, the four-legged friend often reacts in a defensive or even aggressive manner – it then feels pain.
The reason for this is probably that the Inflammation of the puncture site has. Unfortunately, it's difficult to put a plaster on your furry friends that will last – so bacteria and other germs have an easy time of it.
Dogs that have otherwise shown mild vaccination reactions are particularly affected. They were probably active again immediately after the puncture and were therefore more exposed to dirt and other risk factors.
5. Digestive problems
Some dogs also suffer from post-vaccination digestive problems. On the one hand, this can be related to the disease against which the animal was immunized: a harmless and mild “simulation” of the otherwise life-threatening parvovirus can then lead to diarrhea, for example.
However, there is another reason for symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea Stress, caused by the immune system. The dog's body is then on alert, so to speak, which releases stress hormones. These in turn stimulate, among other things, the production of stomach acid, which can really throw the digestive tract off track.
6. Sniffles & Respiratory problems
This also applies to some vaccinations Sniffles for basic immunization. In isolated cases, mild respiratory problems, such as coughing, may also occur.
These complaints too usually disappear after a short time and the dog is protected against serious illnesses.
7. Allergic reactions
But there are also a few cases in which the dog responds to a vaccination serum allergic reaction.
A milder side effect is then rash, which looks like hives and also causes itching. This should also disappear within a few days.
Let me know in the future
If your dog has ever had an allergic reaction to a vaccination, you must contact the treating person Keep informing your vet in the future. Then he can often choose a vaccine that is formulated to be gentler on the four-legged friend.
8. Dog is nervous & fearful
Many dog owners report that their pet seemed like a different person after the vaccination: they would suddenly be very nervous and anxious and behavioral problems have also been reported.
However, there is no scientific proof that the vaccination itself could have something to do with it. It is much more likely that the visit to the vet with a syringe itself troubles the dog: The first consultation in particular can be quite a formative experience for a dog.
9. Anaphylactic shock
Very rare However, it also happens that a dog has one due to a vaccination anaphylactic shock suffers. This is one of the most dangerous side effects of all: the dog not only loses consciousness, vital organs often also fail.
However, such a collapse occurs very quickly – usually up to 15 minutes after injection.
As a rule, you will still be in practice. A large Japanese study provides a good idea of how rare this reaction is: It came to the conclusion that just 0.15 dogs out of 100,000 get anaphylactic shock. On average, out of every million vaccinated four-legged friends, only one died.
This is what you can do to support your four-legged friend
In almost all cases, vaccination reactions in dogs are completely harmless and should in no way prevent you from protecting your pet and its surroundings. Nevertheless, it can be a challenge if the animal suddenly acts strange.
Under no circumstances should you just go back to the agenda. Instead, it's about doing what your four-legged friend needs in each individual case.
1. Let the dog rest
In most cases you should definitely Take it easy on your dog after vaccination. Longer walks or even exercise should definitely be postponed if the dog shows mild symptoms.
In most cases, your fur nose will let you know when it's ready for use again: As soon as the dog has regained its appetite and seems productive, there's nothing wrong with putting him under strain again in a species-appropriate manner.
2. Give plenty to drink
A dog that is weakened in this way should definitely get a lot to drink. On the one hand, the animals then dry out due to their slightly increased body temperature, but on the other hand, gastrointestinal problems such as nausea and diarrhea can also contribute to dehydration.
If your darling is currently “bedridden”, you should definitely give him the Place a water bowl where you sleep. Temporarily soaking dry food can also give the dog more fluids.
3. Minimize the risk of infection
If your dog has problems with a puncture site, it is advisable Minimize the risk of infection as much as possible. So it is recommended to use it first don't play with other dogs Leaving the dog free to run around without a leash is then rather inappropriate.
Furthermore, in individual cases it may be appropriate to treat the affected area, for example with a spray disinfect or an anti-inflammatory ointment like povidone-iodine. If you have itching, one can occasionally help ruff.
More on the topic
Many of these items can be found in a well-equipped dog first aid kit, which is actually a must for every responsible owner. You can find out more about this in our “First Aid Kit for Dogs Test and Comparison”.
4. Bulk up with light food
If the dog has suffered from vomiting or diarrhea, it also helps to slowly introduce him to his normal food. Many people use – mostly home-cooked – to pamper themselves. Bland food.
She is particularly easy to digest and offers the four-legged friend all the nutrients – at least for the short convalescence period – without putting undue strain on the stomach and intestines.
5. If side effects last longer: return to the vet
Should they Long-term side effects persist, become unbearable or other symptoms occur, you should not hesitate and to the vet again.
The expert can determine exactly whether your pet's condition has something to do with the vaccination or not. He can also anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving and/or antipyretic medications prescribe.
The advantages of vaccination clearly outweigh the advantages
In German-speaking countries there is no vaccination requirement for dogs. But that doesn't mean that four-legged friends shouldn't be protected. Fortunately, dog owners see things very similarly: A German study, in which 1,480 dog owners took part, showed, for example, that over 98 percent of those surveyed see their dog as a member of the family, and for the most part they have their four-legged friends vaccinated like a child.
And that's a good thing, because they outweigh the likely side effects of a vaccination Advantages clearly.
This is decisive for the vaccination recommendations in Germany “Standing Vaccination Commission for Veterinary Medicine” (StIKo Vet), which is located at the Friedrich Loeffler Institute in Greifswald.
The advice from this group of experts changes from time to time, so a rabies vaccination, which previously seemed absolutely mandatory, will “only” be recommended as an option in 2025 due to progress against the disease.
The StIKo Vet recommends the following basic immunization in 2025
Core vaccinations (actually mandatory):
- Leptospirosis
- Parvovirus
- Distemper.
Non-core vaccinations recommended under certain conditions:
- Bordetella infections
- Canine contagious hepatitis
- Parainfluenza
- Rabies.
Non-core vaccinations that make sense in individual cases:
- Dermatophytoses
- Canine herpesvirus infections
- Leishmaniasis
- Lyme disease.
Source: StIKo Vet at FLI: Guidelines for vaccination of small animals, 5th edition.
“Side effects” are nowhere near as bad as illnesses
Because the diseases against which almost all four-legged friends are vaccinated are anything but a walk in the park: Epidemics such as distemper are also spread by wild animals in Germany, are highly contagious and in most cases lead to a slow, painful death for the unvaccinated four-legged friend.
All of this can be avoided with a vaccination.
Responsibility towards other animals & People
And by doing so you are doing something good for others too. Because dogs that are unvaccinated on the street actually always present one Danger to other animals and also people represents.
This is the case with many infectious diseases Risk of infection very high – in particular,…