The rabies vaccine can cause a number of side effects to occur in your puppy after it is administered. Some side effects are minor, while others are much more severe. Since every puppy will react differently to the vaccine, side effects may vary. Some side effects are immediate, and others take months to appear. Being aware of the side effects your puppy may experience will help you know if your puppy needs medical attention after receiving the rabies vaccine.
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Anaphylaxis
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The rabies vaccine uses an inert version of the rabies virus to encourage your puppy's immune system to fight it without actually having it. The body is then prepared to fight the virus if it is ever contracted. In general, the rabies vaccine is fairly benign, causing little to no problems. However, just like any medication or vaccine, it can cause some severe side effects immediately after administration. Sometimes reactions happen instantly and other times it takes a full 24 hours to develop symptoms of anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is an allergic reaction where the entire body reacts, not just a specific point, such as the infection site, according to the National Library of Medicine. If your puppy suffers from an anaphylaxis reaction, you may notice a weak pulse, diarrhea or vomiting, fever, or rapid heartbeat. In more severe cases, your puppy may become unconscious or slip into a coma.
Autoimmune Disease
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Unlike anaphylaxis, autoimmune diseases are side effects that take months to develop. An autoimmune disease, according to Dog Owner's Guide, occurs when the puppy's body fights the tissues in the puppy's body instead of protecting the body from foreign materials. The rabies vaccine has been known to trigger autoimmune diseases in some dogs, causing either the blood cells or the organs of the puppy's body to be attacked by the immune system. Over time, this can cause organ disease if the parts in question include the kidney, thyroid gland or lungs. Organ disease can, in turn, lead to organ failure.
Seizures
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Also taking months to develop, seizures and epilepsy have been known to occur after the vaccine. According to Canine Epilepsy Network, a seizure is like an electrical storm occurring in the brain. A dog experiencing a seizure may jerk or convulse, or the entire body may become stiff as it falls to the ground. Epilepsy is a condition characterized by repetitive seizures. Sometimes epileptic seizures happen in close proximity to one another, while other times they are spaced over time.
Cancer
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Sarcoma is the development of cancer that occurs at the site of an injection, according to PetPlace.com. Often, they present as tumors, or small masses, around the site where the injection was originally given. Sarcoma often spreads to the fat cells, connective tissues, cartilage or muscle of the puppy.
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