Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

My dog is shaking, panting, and sore after vaccine shots, what to do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Male | neutered | 3 years and 3 months old | 10.5 lbs

I took my 3 year old maltese/mini-poodle mix to the vet today to get his annual vaccines (Rabies, Parvo, and Bordatela) he was doing fine earlier, he drank water, ate all his food, but he is trembling and panting. He has a hard time laying down, and is currently standing on my bed shaking. His bum is very sensitive due to the shots. I’m not sure what to do, he doesn’t seen like he’s having an allergic reaction to the vaccines but he’s acting very different. Any feedback is appreciated, thank you

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on April 16th, 2018

Daxx has had a big day today going to the vet and getting his vaccines! You can see dogs acting painful after getting their vaccines, and that should pass within a day or two. I agree that his symptoms do not seem like an allergic reaction, so I wouldn't rush him into a vet right away. Try a cold compress on his hind end for five minutes at a time to see if that helps. You can do that a couple of times a day. If he still appears painful tomorrow, give your vet a call and they may prescribe him some pain medication. Please do not give him any human ones, as many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given. Signs of an allergic reaction to vaccines include swelling of face and muzzle, persistent vomiting and diarrhea, severe difficulty breathing or coughing, and collapse. Should you see any of those signs, rush him into a vet right away. Let him rest tonight, and try to keep him as comfortable as possible. Hopefully he will be back to his normal self tomorrow. Best of luck, I hope this helps!

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I took my dog to the vet for her shots (DHLP VAC, PARVO VAC, CORONA VAC) she was fine for the first few hours now all she wants to do is hide under my bed. She shakes her head as if she just got out from a bath. If I take her out of the bed she goes
Poor pup! Dogs can be a little lethargic and sore after receiving their vaccines, but that should pass in a day or two. If she is still acting like this after 48 hours, or develops other signs such a vomiting, diarrhea, hives, or difficulty breathing, I would have her seen by a vet immediately.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
my puppy is shaking and keeps yelping. we had a vet appointment today and he for a lepto shot and last distemper. i've never heard him yelp. Just wondering if this is normal behavior for a puppy after getting vaccines?
My suspicion is that this is injection-site pain and not a "true" vaccine reaction, however I do know that dogs (especially small ones) can be pretty painful in the limb they were vaccinated in for up to 36 hours afterwards. I wouldn't call it "normal" but we definitely see it - both of my own small dogs were painful after their last lepto vaccine. Because they can be pretty miserable, I would recommend calling your vet and asking if they might dispense a bit of pain relief - perhaps only 2 - 3 days worth - to make sure Ted is comfortable over the weekend. And if you see other more concerning signs - swelling about the head or face, difficulty breathing, vomiting, collapse - take him right into an emergency facility.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, I took my 9lb chihuahua to the vet today and she got several shots. These included Bordetella, Parvo, Lepto, etc. She received the shots about 2 hours ago. Right now, she is wincing/crying anytime I touch her or try to move her. And she is frozen
Hello there, and thanks for using Boop by Petco! I'm sorry to hear that Snapple isn't feeling well. It isn't entirely uncommon for dogs to feel sore and puny after a round of vaccines - just like people can. They can cause soreness at the area of injection and mild general malaise, which would explain Snapple's unwillingness to move and whimpering when you try to touch her. This will probably abate over the next day, but if you notice any other symptoms such as swelling, difficulty breathing, vomiting, or diarrhea, please call your vet as these may indicate a more serious reaction. This is very unlikely as most severe vaccine reactions occur within an hour of the shots, but it is always better to be safe than sorry. If she's still acting puny tomorrow, feel free to call your vet and let them know. They may be able to recommend or prescribe an anti-inflammatory/pain reliever that will make her feel much better. Do not give her anything over the counter as it may not be safe for her. Goo
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Help! I took my dog Lexi to the vet today for her vaccines. She got the parvo and rabies vaccines. We got home and she wouldn’t walk correctly, when I touched her near her butt where she got the shots, she cried so loud. I went back to the vet and th
Hi there. Yes, it's normal for dogs to be sore and lay around for a day or two after getting vaccinations - just like human kids! There is nothing over-the-counter that is safe to give dogs for pain, but you could call your veterinarian in the morning to ask about prescribing an anti-inflammatory med for her for a few days if she still seems pretty sore. For tonight, I would recommend just leaving her alone to rest. Most dogs are back to normal within a few days :)
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My 3 month old Alaskan Klee Kai had her 2nd round of vaccinations today at 3:30. She seemed pretty sore at the injection site, a couple hours after. She woke up at midnight crying and panting. I let her out of her crate to drink water and it's been a
This type of side effect is not uncommon, pain at the site of the vaccination can be severe but it is usually not considered to be an emergency. if the pain seems to still be severe tomorrow, take her to your vet to get it checked, if your vet judges that the pain is indeed severe he will probably give her a pain killer for a couple days.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog received two vaccines about 5 hours ago. He is shivering and is not wanting to move around. He is acting like he can't really jump or anything because it's painful. He isn't whining or anything.
It can be painful to get vaccines and smaller breed dogs can act more painful than they really are! Sometimes, to be honest, they can be a bit of drama queens. You should what it's like to trim a pug's nails lol. You'd think you are killing them with all the noise they make! Anyway, you can put an ice pack where Nixon got the vaccines to see if that helps, but he should be back to normal in a day or two. Best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
New Pet
Just got my 4 month old puppy her 3rd round of shots. She has been shaking for hours. Nothing crazy, but shaking. I gave her a bath this morning before her shots. I need to know what I should do? Any home care I can give her?
Getting vaccines can be stressful to the puppy and can cause some pain. This should pass in 24-48 hours. You can try putting a cold compress where she received her shots to see if that helps. Apply it for 5-10 minutes at a time a couple of times during the day. Otherwise keep her warm and comfortable, and make sure she is eating and drinking. If the shaking doesn't away in 48 hours, or she develops other signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, facial swelling, and/or difficulty breathing, take her into a vet. Best of luck, I hope this helps.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Is it normal for my dog to be shivering, acting like she's in pain (little to no movement), and breathing shallowly (like a silent whimper) after getting a few vaccines (Rabies, Leptospirosis, and Bordetella) and a blood test?
It could be that Starla may have a mild fever, which can be a common side effect after receiving vaccines. She may have some pain or discomfort as well at the site of the injections. These side effects should clear up in a day or two, but I would monitor her breathing for now. Should she experience difficulty breathing, this is not normal, and you will have to take her into the vet immediately.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Pacer got his second round of shots this morning and he is very sleepy, sore (cries in pain when I touch his shoulders where the medication was administered) and little appetite. Is this a normal side effect after distemper shots?
I am So sorry to hear that Pacer is having such a hard time after his vaccines. It sounds like relatively normal reaction, however, it seems as though he is sensitive to this vaccine. For this reason I would call the veterinarian who gave him the vaccine to discuss this fact. It will then be recorded in his medical records and precautions taken when it is given again. You can try a cool compress over the painful area.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Dog had vaccines today and has been shaking for hours. Gave him Benedryl but still shaking. Blanket helps. Heart rate seems up a bit too but could be wrong on that.
You can see a mild fever after vaccines, and that could be the cause of Jack's shaking. Benadryl will not help with that if he has a fever. Keep an eye on him, and if the shaking continues for more than 24 hours or he develops other signs such as persistent vomiting and diarrhea, hives, swelling of the muzzle, and/or difficulty breathing, take him into a vet immediately. Best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Dog Supplies Dog Food At-Home Dog Vaccines Dog Health & Wellness Dog Pain Medicine & Relief Dog Pain Relief & Arthritis Meds Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Dog First Aid & Recovery Cold & Kennel Cough Treatments Prescription Allergy Medicine for Dogs Vetality Dog Pain Medicine & Relief Prednisone Dog Pain Medicine & Relief Deramaxx Dog Pain Medicine & Relief Adequan Canine Dog Pain Medicine & Relief PetArmor Dog Pain Medicine & Relief Prednisone Dog First Aid & Recovery Vet's Best Dog Pain Medicine & Relief Remedy+Recovery Dog Pain Medicine & Relief PetAlive Dog Pain Medicine & Relief OxyMed Dog Pain Medicine & Relief
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored