Canine distemper virus can quickly kill dogs and puppies. Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook (Debra M. Eldredge, DVM, et al; 2007) recommends that all puppies get their first distemper vaccinations at eight weeks of age.
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Common Side Effects
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According to VetInfo.com, the most common side effects of a distemper vaccination in puppies are redness and swelling in the skin near the area where the needle entered, loss of appetite and drowsiness. These side effects go away in one or two days.
Serious Side Effects
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A puppy will begin having trouble breathing and may go into seizures or collapse. This is caused by an allergy to the distemper vaccination or to another vaccination given at the same time.
Prevention
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Allergies to distemper vaccinations in puppies or dogs usually occur within a half hour of the injection. Staying at the veterinarian's office for this waiting period can ensure the puppy is cared for immediately, should an allergic reaction begin.
Long-Term Effects
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Mar Vista Animal Medical Center reports that 10 to 21 days after being given a live distemper shot, some dogs can begin to develop distemper symptoms. This can be prevented by using a "dead" or recumbent vaccine.
Consideration
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According to Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook, if a puppy already has contracted the distemper virus, a vaccination will not prevent the puppy from developing distemper
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