We Just Had Our Yorkie Vaccinated With The Porphyromonas Vaccine For Periodontal Disease. He Has Been Shaking, And Seems Very Lethargic Ever Since He's Returned Home This Afternoon. Anyone Else Experienced This With Their Pet?

My 2 and a half year old cavachon had the shots a year ago and reacted the same way (shaking and lethargy). I'm very happy to hear that pain meds help the shaking. This can be very scary for an owner but considering that shes almost 3 and has never needed a teeth cleaning and shows no sign of gum disease (up to 85% of dogs that age have it) I think its worth it. She goes back in a few weeks to get her shot again (this time she will be on pain meds). I think the best thing you can do to make you feel better is properly research the vaccine and stay with them after to monitor their vitals. You can search on google how to do this. Shaking and lethargy is relatively common in vaccines and though it seems terrifying, it may not actually be as bad as it seems. Sometimes its just pain like when we get the flu or tetanus shot.

Animals can get reactions to vaccines, just like humans do. After being vaccinated, most dogs will show slight fevers, and be tired for a few days. It is normal, and you should monitor this to make sure the fever does not go too high.

However, vaccines can also have serious side effects. They can cause encephalitis, diarrhea, vomiting, gas, stomach pains, labored breathing and other symptoms that are much more serious. It can also cause muscle weakness, paralysis and such, and in cases where dogs are not monitored carefully, death.

If your dog shows any other symptoms besides lethargy, I would suggest you call your vet and let them know, and find out if this is common after the vaccine that was administered.

My Bichon Frise had the second shot yesterday and can hardly use his leg on the side where the shot was administered.  So far today he hasn't even tried to go out and urinate and I had to very carefully pick him up and put him in his dog bed. I will probably not get the shot next year...

I have a rescue dog and and my dog was shaking the next day and very lethargic from this vaccine. Today is Sunday and she had the second shot on Thursday and she can hardly stand up today. I would NEVER get this shot again for a dog. This dog has been through so much and I feel terrible that I put her through this.

I have had the shots for all for of my poodles. The very first time they received thier shot they were shaking and tender where they had received the shot. I called my vet about it and he said that the shaking was from pain and he gave me some pain meds to give them for two days. After they took thier first pain pill the shaking stopped and they started acting just fine. Now when they get the shot my vet knows what kind of reaction they might have and makes sure I have pain meds for them if needed.

I was so glad to read this, My yorkie got the shot today and I couldn't tell if she hurt her leg or if she was having side effects from the shot.  She is miserable.  She is acting like all the descriptions I read above.  How long do the side effects last?  I was not warned of the side effects, not happy either.

Yes, our dog a havinnes experienced the same effects & when I went to pick him up he was bizarre with growing & snarling.  Later he cried & whimpered with his leg & I wound up taking him to an emergency vet hospital.  They thought it was effects from the shot.  I was up with him during the night crying.  I plan on changing my vet.

Yes! A 19-week-old miniature pinscher. She also got Leptospirosis. I regret giving the Porphyromonas especially at the same time as the Leptospirosis! The dog is so lethargic, just stays in her kennel, avoids any contact, shivers, does not let us cover her with a blanket, when usually she is a bundle of energy and happiness who loves to have us near her. I hope I did not cause her emotional trauma and sickness!