Vaccination Information

Vaccinations are essential tools for disease prevention.  Use of vaccines has helped to minimize and in some cases eliminate disease in both human and veterinary medicine.  Vaccination is a mainstay of preventative medicine.

Vaccinations are not given without some risk of side effects or reaction.  The vast majority of pets have no obvious ill effects from vaccination.  Others may exhibit “normal” side effects including lethargy, mild fever, and soreness at the injection site. These side effects should resolve within 24-48 hours.  

More significant allergic type reactions include:

• Facial swelling (known as angioedema): this is a particularly evident around the eyes and muzzle.  Treatment consists of injectable antihistamine and/or steroids.  
  
• Hives- red, raised, itchy plaques on the skin.  Treat as above
  
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea. Threat as above and other symptomatic treatment.  
  
• Anaphylaxis: this is the most rare allergic reaction and it may be life threatening.  Animals that exhibit this usually will exhibit signs of SHOCK (listlessness, pale gums, depression, or coma).  Immediate emergency care is needed.  This type of reaction usually occurs within several minutes to 1-2 hours after a vaccine.  For this reason, it is always a good idea to plan to be with your pet for a few hours after vaccination.
  

What to do if your pet exhibits these signs:

• If your pet exhibits some lethargy, fever, or pain at the injection site; no treatment is usually necessary. However, if it persists for longer than a day, contact the hospital as we may be able to prescribe some pain/anti-inflammatory medication to make your pet more comfortable.
  
• Facial swelling, hives, vomiting/diarrhea. Contact the hospital and bring your pet immediately back for treatment.
  
• Anaphylaxis- seek immediate emergency care
  
  • Call 717-393-8245 (TAIL) if it is during regular office hours.
    
  • If it is after hours, then please contact Pet Emergency Treatment Services at 717-295-7387 (PETS).  Bring your receipt from our hospital with you, so that the emergency doctor will know what vaccine your pet received.