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sick puppy :(

I need help, my 4 months old Cocker Spaniel/Bichon Frise puppy is very sick. It started Friday 04/23 following her final puppy shots and first rabies vaccine. She has been vomiting, not eating, not drinking, and is very lethargic. She does not have diarrhea or a temperature. My vet says it is not a reaction to the vaccine, but it seems too coincidental. We've been in twice to the vet this week, with no improvements. She has had her fluids replenished, has been given a pain killer, and was given meds to help stop the vomiting (which only worked for about 12 hours). What should I do? I'm afraid my puppy is dying!
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942557 tn?1272694819
I am so sorry that you lost your little girl,I was praying that she would pull through.She was a very lucky little girl to have you love and take care of her the way you did.Please know that you did everything you could for her and i am sure that she loved you dearly and knew that you loved her to.May God Bless you and i will continue to keep you in my prayers.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am so sorry to hear about your puppy.  You did everything you possibly could to save her, but most of all you loved her, and I'm sure she knew it.
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675347 tn?1365460645
COMMUNITY LEADER
I am terribly sorry to hear the news about your little one.
You weren't to know this was going to happen when you took her for those innoculations. You acted on good faith. And you fought hard to save her. And it sounds as if that new vet did his utmost.
It's very very sad. But her life even though short, was filled with fun and love she shared with you. Hold those memories to your heart
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462827 tn?1333168952
Oh my....My heart's hurting for you and your Bella.....Please take comfort in knowing that you did everything you could to save her. I personally appreciate you for that!  Know that she knew that you were trying to help her and loves you no matter what. Again, my heart & prayers are with you....Sincerely, Karla

P.S. You are Not alone on this one....I read a post in March of a dad's experience with his 6yr.old Airedale Terrier. It is identical to your situation....For those interested in reading more on this subject, go to "Earth Clinic (dot) Com". Then the "Pet" section, listed under "Deadly Vaccination Side Effects". This mans post will be the first one listed. 3-9-2010. There are 495 posts pertaining to this subject...This sight has vital info. on this subject....Take care and I will be thinking about you....
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Avatar universal
Thank you everyone. Bella did not make it. Her body just shut down. The new, good vet says he's about 90% sure it's the vaccine but has NEVER seen such a severe reaction. After a day of the IV fluids, Bella's kidney and liver were still failing. On top of that, she started breathing laboriously, vomiting blood, having diarrhea, and an x-ray showed her abdominal cavity was full of fluid. I went to see her yesterday and could tell she was in SO much pain and discomfort. The vet said since things had been going downhill for the past 24 hrs, the chances of her pulling through were basically slim to none. We decided, as hard as it was, that it was best to put her to sleep. She just hurt too much, I couldn't let her stay like that any longer. And she was not the same puppy anymore, not my Bella. I only had her for 2 short months, she was my baby and my love and I will miss her very much. But I am so grateful for her b/c she was a wonderful,friendly puppy and I had so much fun with her.
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942557 tn?1272694819
I am so sorry to hear that his happened with her and the rabies vaccine.Where i live they give a 3 year vaccine,But state law requires that it to be given yearly.I dont know why, What is the use of giving the 3 year one if they still have to take it yearly.If there tithers are checked on the rabies most of the time the  one year vaccine stays active in there system for 3-5 years..All the vets around here no longer even carry the one year.I have seen side effects like being lethargic,vomiting,fever and even seizures ,But i have never heard of what has happened to your baby.I know this has to be really hard on you and her.Do you know if your new vet is going to give her any med called Sam-e  it is used to detoxify heavy metals, drugs, pesticides and anything else that the liver needs help filtering out.It works really well.When we had the first recall on dog food,I had 2 of the bad bags and i had to use Sam-e  and sub-q's for my babies.I will keep ya'll in my prayers Take care and God Bless
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675347 tn?1365460645
COMMUNITY LEADER
That's true. You have done your very best for her. You were not to know she couldn't cope with the vaccine. It must be a rare reaction, although I do wonder sometimes if there are signs of sensitivity even in fit and healthy adult dogs.
I can't speak about the rabies vaccine, because we don't have that here. But about 1 day after I took my dog for her boosters this year, she suddenly developed shocking diarrhea and lethargy which lasted a full day, and she was not really herself for nearly 3 days! I called the vet to ask about reactions, and he said it couldn't be that. That the only possible reaction if there was going to be one, could have been some slight local swelling or inflammation.
However, I remain cynical about what the vet said. What happened to my dog seemed more than coincidence.....yet what are we to do? I know to NOT give them their vaccinations would be to invite disaster!

To answer Jaybay's question...I wish I knew if there was any testing which could predict this kind of reaction.

I really feel for you. You did your best for her. I pray that she will pull through yet. Sometimes dogs can make it through the most terrible things.
Helpful - 0
82861 tn?1333453911
Thank God you listened to your inner voice and took her to a different vet.  If the worst happens, know you did every last thing possible to save her.  God bless you for that.  I see so many cases of people who never consider taking their dogs to a vet for any reason.  You're wonderful.  :-)

I'll tell you what - this case is sure one for the books.  I've heard of reactions to vaccinations, and even seen my own dogs get sick from some of them, but never a total bodily shut down like this.  Does anyone out there know if this severe of a reaction can be predicted with any kind of testing?  Does it tend to happen if there is an underlying condition affecting the immune system?
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Avatar universal
I'm so sorry to hear her results.  Hopefully her young age will be on her side and make her strong enough to pull through.  I'll pray she'll be okay
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462827 tn?1333168952
I'm glad you pursued a different Vet.....I too, am praying for her and you, both...Hang in there and keep us posted.......Karla
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Avatar universal
Thank you everyone for all of your advice. I took her to a second vet who did some blood work and basically found kidney and liver failure. He too believes it was from the rabies vaccine, but says he has never seen such a severe reaction in his practice. He said he has read through his research and has had colleagues who've seen such severe cases. We are trying basically a complete body flush, with 36 hour IV and antibiotics, with this new, wonderful, COMPETENT vet. As of this morning, she has not made any progress and did vomit blood for the first time. Things are not looking good for her, but I'm holding out hope until the 36 hours are up. She has been a lovely puppy, great companion, but her entire personality has changed following this vaccine. She used to be outwardly friendly, loved new people, loved to play with her toys and the last week she has been lethargic, much less social, and actually hiding from people in my closet or under my bed. I really believe the vaccine killed her last week. I'm praying she gets better, but it's not looking good.
Helpful - 0
942557 tn?1272694819
Why did your vet give her pain meds?It does sound odd that she got sick following her last set of vaccines.Did she ever show any signs of not feeling well after her other vaccines.Does your vet not think that may be  the Rabies vaccine.Parvo does cause the symptoms that you have described,But her bowel movements would be diarrhea and have a very foul smell with possibly blood and mucus .The vet can run a blood serum test called ELISA to check for Parvo.I would go ahead and have her seen by another vet and expalin that this all developed after her last set of shots.My concern would be the rabies if she didnt have any trouble with her other shots before .Sometimes there vaccinations have to be divided up if they get sick from them.She could develope (Hypgloycemnia)- Low blood sugar if she is not holding anything down.You could try and give her a little Caro syrup every few hours to keep her blood sugar up.Did the vet give you any Reglan to take home for the vomiting.Well please keep us updated on how she is doing.I hope she gets feeling better soon.Take care and God Bless
Helpful - 0
82861 tn?1333453911
If your dog isn't staying hydrated, she needs to be in the hospital on an IV for supportive care.  I agree you need a second opinion at this stage - and fast.  Pups can go without food for even a few days, but they can't go without water for long.  Dehydration is very dangerous in any dog, but particularly for a small puppy.  You might try gatorade or pedialyte if you have some.  Certainly her electrolytes are out of whack by now.  Low sodium chicken broth may tempt her bit too.  Stay away from solids until things calm down.  She has to be able to keep down fluids before moving on to solid food.

If she's gone 48 hours with no water or not being able to keep it down, I think it's time to head to the ER vet if for nothing else than IV hydration.  Please keep us posted on her progress.  I'm praying for you both.
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Avatar universal
If your vet doesn't think its from the shots, what does he think is causing it?  He can't go very long not drinking, or eating, I'd dump your vet and try another.  Will he drink chicken soup or eat baby food( without onions)  Just keep trying anything, something might interest him.
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1296965 tn?1279835970
get her to the vet asap!
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1297063 tn?1272569089
It kind of reminds me of my friends dog who had parvo. You may want to try taking your puppy to another vet. A second opinion never hurts but this time it could mean the difference between life and death for your puppy.
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