13 replies to this topic

[frankie25]

I was wondering if you could give me some advise. I took Frankie to the vet for his vacines (distemper and Bordetella). The breader told me had his first set so this was to be the booster shots. He had an adverse reaction immediatly and they had to keep him all day. His face swelled up and his eyes got red and he started to get a rash and they took him out of the room and said they gave him antihistimine and coritizone injections. When I picked him up that night his left ear was flopped over. It is still floppy. I called the vet and they said that thiers ears can flop for no reason and it is nothing to be concerned about and that they might go back to being straight. I am worried that something happened that they are not telling me about. It seems like a very big coincidence that this all happens in the same day. Have you ever had your dogs ears do this or know why it would happen? Any input you could give me would be very much appreciated.

I have contacted the breader to see if she can give me any advise and will be reaching out to another vets office for his care

By the way...This is the first time I have ever been to this Vet office.And now that I have done my research on them I will never go back. They told me he needed all kinds of vacines and regular boosters that should not be needed. They even tried to tell me it would cost $577 to neuter him.

[Tuesday]

I would definitely use another vet. I would even get with one today if you can.

As for the ear (and I am only speculating - I am not a vet nor do I play one on TV) - it could be similar to something "broken tail syndrome" that you see sometimes in hunting dogs. It happened to our lab twice. First time was after a particularly stressful training session for both her and my husband. For a few days she walked around with what "appeared" to be a broken tail - it just hung there. She was fine after a few days. The second time was after we gave her a bath with the hose outside. It wasn't quite hot weather and not quite cold either. She was not real happy about the bath that day.

Both times she had no issues with her disposition or eating habits, and her tail went back to normal after a few days.

Frankie had a very stressful day at the vet, and maybe it's his body's way of dealing with that kind of trauma.

[hheldorfer]

I agree with Tuesday - find another vet ASAP. And $577 is an outrageous price for neutering.

[pindrop]

hummm...I'm not sure what happened at that vet's office but I too would be running and screaming away. That fee for neutering is outrageous and they are off their rocker. Definitely do some further research on vets in your area (on the internet) and look to see if anyone has comments posted. Sometimes if you touch base with groomers in your area they can help with this decision as to a good vet. I can't, for certain, determine if Frankie's ear will return to normal but it is possible that the stress may have caused this. Give it a few weeks to see if it returns. My main concern are the shots - it would appear that your dog has reacted to something in either of those jabs. Fair warning for any future shots. Please, do some research on the
Bordetella reactions as I think that may be the culprit.
btw....welcome to the forum as the advice here is invaluable when raising a puppy. How old is Frankie? Pictures of this little guy would certainly be welcome.

[pkcrossley]

it doesn't sound like a very encouraging visit. bordatella is needed only if you are going to board your dog or your dog is frequently in very close contact with a lot of other dogs (whom you don't know). it is best to stagger vaccines. if you do only one vaccine at a time, it minimizes the chances of a negative reaction and also makes clear which vaccine your dog is reacting to, if there is a reaction. many vets do multiple vaccines at a single visit as a courtesy to owners --if you are willing to make repeated visits to get through a series of vaccinations, you should probably bring it up yourself, since it could seem that the vet is begging for extra office fees if he or she suggests it to you.

frankie had an allergic reaction to one of the vaccines, and administering antihistamines, cortisone, and sometimes stimulants are the proper way to try to counter-act it. it sounds like frankie had a severe reaction, and i'm glad they were able to reverse most of the reaction so quickly. the ear issue could straighten itself out soon. illness that depresses blood pressure to any degree is sometimes associated with saggy ears, but there are all kinds of other causes and sometimes it just has no apparent cause.

i haven't had a dog neutered in the past decade or so, so i don't know the normal cost of neutering in your area. the impression here is that the amount they quoted you is out of line, which i'm certainly willing to accept.

if you are confident that the bordatella vaccine is the culprit (seems likely), be sure to inform all frankie's vets that he cannot have the vaccine. this may mean that you will not be able to board him, and will have to make other arrangements. regardless the medical benefits of the vaccine (which are debatable at best), the vast majority of kennels and some other facilities will insist upon the vaccine as a matter of policy.

it is very important that you feel confident that your vet is giving frankie the best care. i'm glad frankie got through this episode in good shape. he will probably continue to improve over the next couple weeks, and let's hope his ear pops back up (only because it will make you feel better --i think a flop ear is cute).

[jlr79]

Hi! I haven't posted here for a LONG time, but I do check in every day! I thought I would share what happened with us. When our Abby was a puppy (she is now 7) she got the distemper shot. It was the combination DHLPP. Anyway, she had a severe reaction that sounds like what your pup had as far as her eyes almost swelled shut and she had trouble breathing!!! It was extremely scary to say the least!!!!! All this was due to the lepto part of the shot. After that they would give that shot without the lepto part in it. From what I understand, it's not that uncommon for smaller breed dogs to have reactions to the lepto part of the shot. You might check and see if that was included in the distemper shot. It's good to be back! I have been thinking about getting back into posting for quite some time!!!!!

[Terrier lover]

I have posted a few things about holistic methods of care using a holistic vet. Jock is almost 11 yrs old and has not had any vaccinations since he was 16 weeks old. I have done titers in the past and all was good. Just a bit of information for those that are interested. http://www.news.wisc.edu/8413

Edited by Terrier lover, 27 January 2012 - 08:33 AM.

[Kathryn]

Sounds like this was a scary experience - so sorry for you.
I have just a couple things to add: here in Minneapolis, just north of you, it would probably cost around $500 to neuter a female, with pre-surgery blood tests, a short stay int he hospital, etc. I suspect, though, that it would be less for a male, since considerably less is involved. I think you are justified in asking around.
Also, how old is your pup, and where does he stand with teething? Our girl's ears went up and down every few days when she was teething, and I think this is common. Of course, for Frankie it could have been stress. I will bet, though, that the ears come back up.
Our girl Allie also has severe reactions to vaccinations, and breaks out in hives, itching terribly. The first time she didn't get really bad until we were home, and we took her back where they gave her antihistamines. Now we are careful about vaccinations, never giving more than one at a time. Also, she is 14, and we have stopped some of them entirely. Our vet is the one who set up our careful schedule, and recommended only one shot at a time. I would love for a vet who has a similar concern for your dog.

[Lynn in TN]

The breeder I adopted Kelly from told me that the ears could pop up and down because of teething. I would say the ears will go back up. Kelly's however haven't ever flopped over but her sisters ears did.
Wow on the prices in Minneapolis! The cost of Kelly's spay was $111.15. Of course I think they liked Kelly so much the nocked a few dollars of for her good behavior.hehe My Mother-in-Law was charged $135.
I would run from this vet though I don't like a vet that pushes shots. My vet told me not to get the Bordetella unless I was going to send her to doggie daycare or board her somewhere.

[KShep]

hheldorfer, on 27 January 2012 - 03:56 AM, said:

I agree with Tuesday - find another vet ASAP. And $577 is an outrageous price for neutering.

I agree!

[hheldorfer]

Vets pushing vaccinations or other services is usually a big red flag. Any vet worth his stethoscope will present the choices and options available to you and then let you decide. The only time I want a vet to push me in one direction or another is when my pet's health is on the line. The bottom line is that you have to find a vet whom you like and whom you trust to help you make the right decisions.

Lynn posted a few prices for comparison so I'd just like to add this: Ziggy had a few things done at the vet yesterday - teeth cleaned and nails cut (under anesthesia), urine test and general exam. Total (including some antibiotics and prednisone) was $222.00. I know this is unusually inexpensive (for our area, anyway) but it gives you an idea of how much prices can vary. (My head is still reeling from the $577 quote for neutering. )

[cairnrescueleague]

Yes, i would find out if lepto was included in the distemper vaccine - that's the most common cause of reactions, and many vets leave it out of the distemper vaccine, especially for small dogs, unless you live in an area where lepto is a problem and frankie is likely to be exposed to it (it's most common among hounds and hunting dogs that have their noses to the ground, although it's becoming more of a problem in some areas). Next time Frankie needs a distemper vaccine, just make sure lepto is not included.

And pk is right, dogs don't really need a bordatella/kennel cough vaccine unless they're going to be boarded or to doggie day care or a dog park, but if you do feel that Frankie needs it, ask for the injection rather than the intra-nasal vaccine, which is more likely to cause an adverse reaction.

[jo_]

Another thing to keep in mind is that even though they have the bordatella/kennel cough vaccine doesn't mean they are immune to it. My dogs have both had the vaccine and both dogs still had cases of kennel cough. My vet has told me that it's similar to the flu shot for humans - it may decrease your chance of getting it but it's still possible. Just like the flu, there are different strands and the vaccines are only good for some of them.

The only reason ours have had the bordatella shot is because we do board them occasionally and the kennels require proof of vaccination.

[cairnfan]

As others have mentioned, smaller dogs can have bad reactions to the Lepto vaccine. My dog, Bear's reaction was less severe than what you described but he was very lethargic, limped when walking, and whimpered when picked up. He seemed to get over it in a day or two. When I went back for the booster I told the vet to leave out the Lepto and just give the Lyme booster. No reaction that time. I hope Frankie is feeling better. Please let us know how he is doing.