The English Bulldog Puppy Blog

A very well known fact about rabies vaccine is that it is only legally required vaccine for companion animals in the United States. It is administered primarily to protect humans from their pets in cases of pets bitten by rabid bats, coyotes, racoons, foxes, or other animals.

Your vet may never tell you that rabies vaccine is very dangerous. Rabies vaccine sounds like a good thing for pets but did you know that it is known to cause serious, and fatal, side effects in cats and dogs, as listed below:

Immediately or up to 3 days after the shot:

Vomiting
Facial swelling
Fever or lethargy
Circulatory shock
Loss of consciousness
Death

Days, weeks or months after the shot:

Fibrosarconoma (cancer) at the injection site
Seizures and epilepsy
Allergies
Autoimmune diseases, including organ disease, allergies and skin problems
Chronic digestive problems
Muscle weakness, especially lack of hind end coordination
Chronic digestive disorders
Skin diseases such as Ischemic Dermatopathy or cutaneous vasculitis
Behavior problems – aggression, destructive behaviors, separation anxiety and odd obsessive behaviors (like tail chasing and paw licking).

Delayed and unexpected reactions seldom get linked to the vaccines that caused them. Chronic symptoms of a reaction to the rabies vaccine can mimic noninfectious symptoms of rabies include restlessness; viciousness; avoidance of company; unusual affection; desire to travel; inability to be restrained; self biting; strange cries and howls; inability to swallow resulting in gagging while eating/drinking; staring eyes; swallowing wood, stones, non-edibles; destruction of blankets, clothing; convulsive seizures; throat spasms; increased sexual desires; disturbed heart function; excited and jerky breathing.

In worse case scenarios when your English bulldog, other dog breed, or pet cat does develop reactions from rabies vaccine. Report any reactions you think might be linked to the shot to your vet immediately. Here is what you should do when this happens:
1. Get the lot number of the vaccine used, brand name, date given and location of the shot on the dog’s body and report the reaction and diagnosis to the vaccine manufacturer. The manufacturer will sometimes pay for treatment.
2. Have your vet document every step of the dog’s treatment and detail the reactions. And have your vet sign his/her notes and get a copy. This is very important! You will need the documentation to apply for an exemption when the shot is due again.

A dog living to age fourteen would only get 3 shots in its lifetime, not the currently required 6 to 15 shots.

Not all pet owners are warned about these possible adverse effects. Despite an obvious display of the side effects listed above, chances are your vet may not share to make you aware of the connection between the vaccine and the effects to your dog. The vet may not even recognize these rare reactions. All reporting are done voluntarily thus adverse reactions are seldom reported. Report adverse reactions (side effects) of vaccines here:

This is a new page from the AVMA:
Click here.

On-line reporting form:
Online reporting form

You’ll need to get a lot of the information from your vet. Do not expect your vet to make the report. Underreporting is commonplace.

More reporting information and options:
Click here.

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