Depending on where you live, certain vaccines for your puppy could be required by law, according to the ASPCA. Your veterinarian can help you determine which vaccines your puppy needs, and can warn you about potential adverse reactions, such as limping, that can occur after a vaccination.
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Vaccinations
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Vaccines are important tools your veterinarian uses to help protect your dog's health. Usually administered by injection, vaccines trigger immune responses for different diseases in a dog. The mild immune response protects the dog when it is exposed to the disease in the future. Thanks to the vaccination, the dog will either not get sick when exposed to the disease, or will recover from the disease much more quickly and easily.
Adverse Reactions
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When receiving a vaccination, some puppies squirm or yip during the injection. While most puppies do not show any real reaction to receiving a vaccine, others experience adverse reactions. Some dogs have an allergic reaction to the vaccine. Some puppies are made mildly ill by the vaccine, but are not allergic to it. Other dogs do not react well to the injection itself, according to the American Veterinary Medicine Association.
Symptoms
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If your puppy is having an adverse reaction to a vaccination, limping is one symptom you could see. This usually signals that the puppy is in pain from the injection itself. The injection site could be swollen, and your puppy might not want you to touch it. Your puppy could also be sluggish, with a low appetite. Some dogs that react badly to vaccinations run a small fever after receiving an injection.
Treatment
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In most cases, a puppy limping after a vaccination will not require treatment. Make sure that your puppy has access to water and food, and keep an eye on him. The pain should fade, and your puppy should return to his normal routine in a couple days. If the swelling gets worse or spreads to his face, or if your puppy starts vomiting, contact your veterinarian immediately. This could signal an allergic reaction is taking place, and your veterinarian will be able to treat your puppy for it.
Considerations
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The risk of a puppy having an adverse reaction to a vaccination is small--they occur in about 38 out of every 10,000 dogs that are vaccinated, according to "The Complete Healthy Dog Handbook." Most adverse reactions to vaccines occur immediately following the injection, so it is best to arrange to be around your dog after it is vaccinated so you can monitor its condition.
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