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Why is my dog shaking and heart rate high after Lepto vaccine?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Jack Russell Terrier | Male | neutered | 18 lbs

My dog recieved his Lepto vaccine booster today and now he is shaking and has an elevated heart rate, sitting with his back to me. Should I be concerned?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on May 20th, 2018

Getting vaccines can be stressful and painful to the dog, and Scrappy may be feeling a little off from all the stress of the day. I would continue to monitor him, and I would be worried if he starts having protected vomiting or diarrhea, develops a swollen face and muzzle, and starts having trouble breathing. Those can be signs of a rare but serious vaccine reaction, and in that case, I'd take him into a vet right away. Try putting a cold compress on where he received his lepto vaccine to see if that helps him. You can apply for 5-10 minutes a couple of times a day. Typically a dog is back to normal within 24-48 hours after a vaccine. Best of luck, I hope this helps.

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10Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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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
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Zues got his lepto and dappv shot today now he seems a little under the weather is there side affects of these shots?
Vaccine reactions can vary widely, similar to humans. Mild symptoms include injection site tenderness, and transient lethargy (24 hours or so). Contact you veterinarian if lethargy persists, he stops eating, vomits, or has diarrhea. Emergency intervention would be respiratory distress, swollen face or a severe change in temperament due to fever/ more severe illness than listed above. These types of reactions are very rare. For my patients that show even mild vaccine reactions, I will reduce their vaccines to 1 booster per visit, and often will pre-medicate with Benadryl. I also prioritize my vaccines based on age of the animal, vaccine history and prevalence of disease in our region.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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If a side effect occurs within my puppy within 24 hrs after the leptospirosis vaccine, what's the best thing to do for her & give her?
Well that depends on the severity of the adverse reaction. If she is having a mild vaccine reaction (1 bout of vomiting, loose stool), then an anti-histamine (i.e. Benadryl) can be given in most cases and will calm the reaction down. However if she is having a more severe adverse reaction (i.e. continuous vomiting, anaphylaxis, severe lethargy, anorexia), then she will need an antihistamine shot (for immediate reversal), +/- steroid shot from your vet , +/- fluid therapy and close monitoring to ensure that the reaction subsides and that she remains stable.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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My dog got the Leptospirosis vaccine today and has thrown up twice since. He seems completely fine otherwise. Should I be concerned?
I would be concerned in that vomiting isn't a typical reaction after receiving vaccines, but it's good that Toby seems completely find otherwise. To be safe, I would give the vet who gave him the vaccines a call. Vomiting after vaccines can be a sign of an allergic reaction, and your vet may want to see him. If you can't reach his vet, watch him very closely. Should the vomiting continue, or he develops other signs such severe coughing, difficulty breathing, itchy skin, hives, or swelling of the face, rush him into an ER vet right away. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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Puppies got lepto vaccine about 3 hours ago. No signs of allergic reaction to it. They have eaten and are okay. When I carry them and touch near the injection site, they cry a lot. Is this normal? How long does it last? I don’t feel any swelling arou
Good on you for getting your puppies their lepto vaccines! When puppies get their vaccines, it can be painful for them at the injection site for around 24-48 hours, and that is normal. I would avoid carrying them if it makes them cry, and you can try putting a cold compress on site if they will let you for five minutes at a time a couple of times of day to see if that helps. Please do not give them any human pain medications, as many are toxic to puppies and can be fatal if given. This pain should go away in a day or two. If it doesn't, give the vet a call, as they may want to see the puppies. As for side effects, typically you would see them develop within 24 hours of the vaccines. Keep an eye on them for now, but serious side effects are rare and they should be fine. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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I was wanting some advice on the Leptospirosis vaccine.My dog had hers 10 days ago.She has been lethargic,not eating or drnking much.I looked up reviews & was mortified.Animals going into kidney failure,dying!I had a dog for 16 yrs& only had puppy sh
While not considered a "core" vaccine, the leptospirosis vaccine is highly recommended for dogs who may be at risk for contracting leptospirosis, as it is a disease that can lead to agonizing deaths in both animals and humans. See the links below for more information: https://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/Leptospirosis.aspx https://ebusiness.avma.org/files/productdownloads/LR_COM_ClientBroch_Leptospirosis_022616.pdf
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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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
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 h
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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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
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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
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My puppy is shivering whining and lethargic. She had the last shot of distemper today also fed her flea treatment and heartworm to night
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! Possible side effects after vaccines include pain at the injection site, lethargy, inappetence and general discomfort. This should subside within 1-2 days. If it does not improve or it worsens, have Missy evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Otherwise, Missy will likely start feeling better shortly. Good luck and best wishes!
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