The first few articles in this section outline the importance and efficiency of vaccines, and which specific vaccines are core required in the US for domesticated dogs. Now let’s talk about the adverse effects and precautions that should be taken when vaccinating your new best friend.
Adverse effects are undesired harmful effects resulting from some sort of medical intervention. Reporting adverse effects is voluntary which leads to underreporting. Due to this underreporting, we are unaware just how frequent these adverse effects happen.
The CDC (US Centers for Disease Control and Preventions) identifies the four types of adverse effects listed below.
- Vaccine-Induced Events [Events would not have happened without vaccine.]
- Vaccine Potentiated Reactions [May have occurred without vaccine, but vaccine could further trigger it.]
- Programmatic Error [Human Error: Errors in storage, preparation, handling, and administration.]
- Coincidental Events [Typically results of an underlying disease that has been yet to be diagnosed.]
Now that we have laid out the types of adverse effects, here are the different types of adverse effect reactions. The typical side effects seen in dogs after a vaccine include sluggish behavior for the rest of the day, tenderness in the injection spot and slight fever for a day or two. Beyond feeling slightly off, there are serious reactions we as owners should be aware of. There are three categories of negative reactions Hypersensitivity, Residual Virulence, and Individual Immune Response.
| Hypersensitivity | Residual Virulence | Individual Immune Response |
| Type 1 Hypersensitivities: A serious, but rare, allergic reaction typically from other other components within a vaccine rather than the virus itself. [More common in Killed Vaccines] → Occurs within minutes of administration. Type 2 Hypersensitivities: Canines cells and vaccine cells begin to work together instead of against one another leading to cell lysis. Extremely rare in canines. Type 3 Hypersensitivities: An immune complex reaction that causes the local inflammation to form into dermatitis or alopecia. These rashes may form at the injection site, ear tips, footpads and tail. It can also cause “Blue Eye,” in the case of the CAV-2 vaccine. But, it has dramatically decreased since using a live CAV-2 virus and not CAV-1. Type 4 Hypersensitivity: This is a delayed reaction that causes abscess like lumps near the injection site, these can become infected and should be treated by a Veterinarian . | Although residual virulence is a rare occurrence now, it was once a large adverse effect with several vaccines. Residual virulence is when the vaccine causes the virus it’s trying to protect you from to form, and attack certain areas of the body. This was commonly seen when using Live Rabies vaccines instead of killed vaccines – As well as the original CAV vaccines, using the CAV-1 virus and not CAV-2. | Autoimmune Disease: When a dog has an autoimmune disorder it is not always able to handle the vaccine causing adverse effects. On the other hand, some dogs’ immune systems will override the vaccine giving them no immunity. Overvaccination: When dogs begin to show signs of hypersensitivity or residual virulence due to over vaccination. This can be controlled by requesting a titer test prior to revaccination. |
Using a large population of electronic data, and the CDC guidelines, one study, “Adverse Consequences of Vaccination,” by Ian Tizard, was able to predict some factors about adverse vaccine effects. Nearly all adverse effects occur within three days of the vaccine. Although 50 percent of dogs observing signs of anaphylaxis shock, severe allergic reaction, did so within five minutes of administration. Some of Tizard’s team’s final conclusions, using data from a range of practices, determined additional adverse effects were more likely in smaller dogs under 22 lbs, and when dogs received multiple vaccines at a time.
While it’s important to vaccinate our pups, and to keep them safe from future possibilities; new data and information is helping us understand what is the safest way to go about vaccinating. Titer test prior to all vaccinations after the first dose is vital to not only decrease the chances of over vaccination, but to determine if your dog is showing any signs of autoimmune disorders. Dogs weighing less than 22 pounds should be looked at with even more caution when it comes to revaccination.
When vaccinating your dog, there are a few things you should ask yourself:
- What type of lifestyle will my dog have?
- Will they be a working dog? (Service, Herding, Hunting, ect.)
- Will my dog be interacting with other animals?
- Domesticated house animals, farm animals, wildlife.
- When was the last time my pup was vaccinated?
- Do you have records? If not, ask your vet for a titer test to get a better idea.
- Should I do a titer test?
- Here at Wise Woofs, we think it’s always important to consider a titer test. (Keep in mind, there is no titer test available for Rabies or Bordetella)
- A titer test will not only inform us if our dog still has active antibodies, but also assess immunity and identify if your animal is a non-responder to the vaccine.
- Here at Wise Woofs, we think it’s always important to consider a titer test. (Keep in mind, there is no titer test available for Rabies or Bordetella)
