When it’s time for vaccinations, you may be concerned about your puppy.
After all, the trip to the veterinarian is already scary enough for them without adding needles to the bunch. However, vaccinations are only beneficial for the health of your pet.
If your puppy is in pain after vaccine shots, this reaction is completely normal.
Puppies may feel discomfort in the hours and days after vaccinations, showing a range of symptoms.
Why Your Puppy Yelps After The Vaccination?
Let’s be honest: vaccinations hurt! They hurt our children like they hurt our pets, so it’s normal for our puppy to cry after vaccinations.
Going to the veterinarian is already a new experience for them and they don’t have enough time to get used to it.
Your puppy is probably already feeling anxious and a little scared for the trip.
When you add the injections, it’s no surprise they will have such heartbreaking reactions. The mere memory of the injection might make them whine even when they’re already back home.
Some puppies are more stoic than others and may not react at all or suffer in silence. Others may be little drama queens that will cry even if it doesn’t hurt.
The personality of your dog comes through during these moments, so it’s also a chance to get to know your puppy better.
The first vaccinations are also a new thing for their body. As the vaccine makes its way through the system, your puppy may be feeling weird and start whining because of the new sensation.
This is all completely normal for your puppy and even though it may break your heart, there is nothing to worry about because they will be lively and happy again in a couple of days.
When Should You Worry About Your Puppy Yelping?
The side effects of puppies’ first shots show up in the minutes or hours after the vaccination and may last up to 36 hours.
A puppy’s reaction to shots depends on its immune system and its personality.
All symptoms should be nonetheless mild and not concerning.
In the case your puppy is still showing symptoms after 3 days, then it’s time to go back to the veterinarian to see what went wrong.
If at any point after the vaccination your puppies display the following symptoms, you need to bring them to the vet immediately:
- Swollen face
- Extreme weakness
- Recurring diarrhea
- Skin rashes
- Persistent vomiting
- Breathing difficulty
- Collapsing/loss of consciousness
Please note that these symptoms are very rare.
Most puppies go through the first stage of mild symptoms after being vaccinated but are completely fine after 24-48 hours. If symptoms get worse, however, it could be a sign of an allergic reaction.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to know what dogs are allergic to before they experience a reaction, so there is no way to prevent this from happening.
But again, this is a very rare occurrence.
Puppy Vaccination Side-Effects
If your puppy is acting weird after shots, it might be experiencing some side effects.
This is not alarming, because most puppies show some kind of reaction to the vaccines, even just whining and yelping when they’re touched.
As long as your puppy doesn’t show the concerning symptoms described above, they will be fine in a few hours or days.
The first 24 hours are usually the most critical and time where you will see most side effects.
Puppy crying after shots
The most common reaction you get from your puppy after vaccination is an ongoing whining that may even continue while they’re sleeping!
In fact, puppies may feel very uncomfortable after the injection and crying is their way to let you know they’re not feeling well.
The injection itself can be slightly painful, especially if done on the muscles instead of under the skin.
The reaction of the body to the vaccine may also make them feel weird and uncomfortable.
Sometimes, the area where the injection was made might become a little swollen and form a little lump that could be painful for your puppy and make them whine.
Other mild side-effects of vaccination like fever or sleepiness might make your puppy feel like there’s something wrong and they try to communicate their discomfort with you.
Crying after shots is not a worrying symptom unless it lasts for more than 3 days. In that case, it would be better to have another medical examination to rule out the possibility of allergies or other problems.
Puppy lethargic after shots
A puppy will feel sleepy after shots because their body is effectively fighting the vaccine and is, therefore, weaker and has reduced energy levels for other activities.
This is a normal reaction because vaccines are made so that a weaker version of the virus is injected in the body, in order to push your puppy to develop antibodies to fight the said virus.
Puppies will feel lethargic, have less interest in playtime, and maybe also decreased appetite.
It is important to let them rest comfortably at this time, because the site of the vaccine may also feel sore and painful so they won’t like being handled too much.
Some puppies may also develop mild coughing and a runny nose.
It is all within the expected reactions of the vaccine, so you don’t need to worry unless symptoms persist for several days or become worse with time.
Just let your puppy rest until they feel better and make sure to provide plenty of comforts.
Puppy sore after shots
Most puppies will be completely fine after vaccination shots, however, some of them may experience psychological or physical symptoms that will make the days after the vaccination a little tough for both you and especially your puppy.
Specifically, your puppy may be reluctant to be touched or picked up after the shots, because of the swelling and pain they feel in the area surrounding the vaccination spot.
Indeed, this area commonly swells a little after the shot and it may be painful to the touch.
If your puppy cries or yelps whenever you pick them up or even when you just try to touch them, it’s because they’re going through a painful situation.
Some puppies do not actually feel physical pain, but may be traumatized by the vaccination and would rather be left alone at this time.
In this case, making their crate as comfortable as possible is the best solution for them.
If your puppy feels uncomfortable being around people because of the risk of being touched, just leave them to rest in their crate until they feel better.
They should be back to their normal lively selves within a couple of days.
Puppy shaking after shots
A shaking puppy may be unsettling to see because you immediately think of dramatic conditions like seizure or epilepsy.
However, this is not the case for puppies after vaccination shots. In fact, shaking is merely the way your puppy has to show that they’re feeling some kind of discomfort due to the injection.
Other signs that may appear alongside shaking are drooling, cowering, and dropping their ears. Some puppies may also stand in a corner of the room and cry after the vaccination shots.
The shaking can last for several hours or even a whole day, but it should subside once the swelling and pain around the injection area start to disappear.
If you want to help your shaking puppy, make their crate as comfortable as possible, and leave them plenty of water and their favorite food.
Note that your puppy may not eat or drink much after vaccinations, but that’s normal.
At this time, some puppies would rather be left alone, while others may look for comfort and cuddles.
Provide your puppy with what they need and you will see that they will stop shaking soon enough.
How To Take Care Of Your Puppy After Vaccinations
The vaccines we have today are made so that they have as few side-effects as possible, hence they shouldn’t hurt your puppy.
However, some puppies may feel the aftereffects of vaccines psychologically, rather than physically.
Many puppies feel sad or depressed after the shots and they just need your whole attention, love, and reassurance.
If your puppy looks for affection, make sure to shower them with all your love, attention, and cuddles.
You will see that many puppies will feel better just with a little cuddle time.
On the contrary, if they feel sore or uncomfortable, they would rather be left alone, which is why it’s important to design an area or room in the house where they can rest comfortably and in silence.
It would help to put some of their favorite toys and treats inside the crate and to leave them food and water in the same room, so they don’t have to come to look for it.
The use of medications for pain is not recommended, because vaccines rarely provoke reactions that need medical treatment and it’s always better not to give your puppy medications.
However, if your puppy is in great pain, you can consult your veterinarian to see what can be done about it.
Maybe next time they have their vaccination shot, it would be better to give them something for the pain beforehand, so they don’t have to go through this miserable time again.
When the pain, redness, and swelling is localized around the area of the injection, you can apply ice to the spot and see if your puppy benefits from it.
Is Vaccination Painful For Puppies?
Today, vaccines are designed to have as little side-effects as possible and shouldn’t be painful for your puppy, but some puppies experience side effects of vaccinations with mild symptoms.
When puppies feel pain after shots, it’s usually around the area of the injection, where a little lump may have formed.
The swollen spot may be painful to the touch, that’s why your puppy doesn’t want to be touched or handled at this time.
Other puppies will look for your comfort, instead, because they feel psychologically drained after the vaccinations and are just in need of some cuddles.
Side-effects of vaccinations should disappear within 24-36 hours after the shots.
If your puppy is still showing symptoms 3 days later, consult your veterinarian because they may be experiencing an allergic reaction that will need treatment.
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