Tell Us Your Vaccination Story
R Milan following removal of an injection-site sarcoma
Dr. Margo Roman has written this to fellow vets: “There is a change that is occurring and we need to have our clients at our backs and start to help us, be our voice. Many of them can write well and they can tell their stories and those stories need to be sent to the Veterinary boards and State Associations. Let the consumer drive the market.”
If your dog or cat has experienced a health or behavioral problem that you may think is linked to vaccination, please make sure it has been reported to the vaccine maker and the USDA. You do not need proof positive to report it — just a good faith belief that the vaccine is linked to the problem. Do not presume that your vet reported it. Underreporting is common. Learn how to report reactions to vaccines (and pet food and drugs) at https://truth4pets.org/reporting-reactions/
In addition, please tell the world your story. Post a comment after a relevant article or send your story to us with pictures. We will post it on this website. Write the story, or better yet, make a short video.
Here’s how:
- Send us a photo(3) and/or video of your dog or cat. If you have any showing the illness, please send that as well.
- Tell us what happened
- Was your pet ill before being vaccinated, or healthy?
- Send documentation if you have some — biopsies, letters, etc., even copies of vet bills
- Give us your express permission to post the story and photos/videos
- Keep it relatively short; we all have short attention spans
- Express your feelings
- Don’t slander your vet or anyone else. Use “Dr. Sam” or “Clinic X”.
- Keep it factual
- Did treatment resolve the problem?
- If you would like to be added as a supporter of this movement, please give us your permission to use your name
Here are some examples: Vaccine Stories
If writing isn’t your thing, do the best you can and we’ll spiff it up but won’t change any facts. We’ll send it back to you for approval before posting.
Thanks for taking the time to help your fellow dog and cat lovers avoid what you’ve been through.
here. Please put a descriptive title in the subject line.
Related Posts:
Report a Reaction Vaccine Reactions: Underreported and Unrecognized, Not Unimportant
Questions to Ask Before Vaccinating
What to Do When Your Dog Has a Vaccine Reaction
Why Vets Don’t Recognize Vaccine Reactions
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On Wednesday morning February 10, 2016 we brought our dog Gizmo, a 6 lb. Peki-pom mix in for what we thought were routine vaccinations. He was a healthy little piglet before his vaccinations but by that evening, he began feeling lethargic and distressed.
I called our vet 1st thing the following morning to explain how Gizmo was acting. He had stopped eating, drinking and going to the bathroom by then. The veterinary clinic that has taken care of him since he was a puppy said this is normal for a day or two. By Friday, a complete 48 hours after his initial exam, I called again and explained he was now panting heavily and still has not eaten, drank or gone to the bathroom. Gizmos primary doctor who gave him his vaccinations, was not in that day so another doctor checked Gizmo. When the assistant stated with concern that he lost a half a pound already, the Dr. dismissed this as normal, but wanted to catheter him even though we stated he had not urinated for 40 hours by then, he came up dry.
They administered a Cerenia shot for his appetite and made an appointment for the following week. The doctor never stated Gizmo should be admitted. For the next 48 hours we tried to feed him baby food mixed with water to keep him hydrated, he was lethargic and still panting quickly and we were trying to keep him alive until they opened on Monday morning as we were unable to get him in on Saturday due to a sudden death in the family. By late Sunday night/early Monday morning we noticed he was getting considerably worse and couldn’t wait until the clinic opened so my husband and I took Gizmo to an emergency animal hospital and within a few hours they had to euthanize him. They said he had gone agonal and there was no way to reverse his decline.
I am still consumed with depression. He was my little baby who loved to play in warm laundry and fetch the ball. He actually at times would make us fetch by stashing it under the dresser or throwing it down the stairs. He was the one who calmed me when I was stressed and always slept with me at night. Now he is gone. I had a break down. I thought I was doing everything right, but I trusted our vet completely and so did my dog. He allowed them to probe and poke him when he normally hated people other than my family near him.
According to the WSAVA vaccine guidelines reports, “gross under-reporting of vaccine-associated adverse events…” A study by Drs. Moore, Guptill, Ward, etal. Concluded: “Young adult small-breed neutered dogs that received multiple vaccines per office visit were at greatest risk of VAAE within 72 hours after vaccination. Gizmo was over vaccinated, being a very small dog, he was given too many shots at one time, shots that weren’t even necessary, at very high risk, and he had a reaction within hours.
We were never given a consent form and the docter never communicated the increased risk of multiple vaccines to us, including the vaccine, leptospirosis, which is also extremely high risk for all animals. We trusted that they were doing what’s best for our animals and we gladly spend whatever is needed to keep our dogs healthy, however, through our investigation of the subject, they are not following the guidelines changed in 2014 by the AAHA. Most of these vaccinations are not necessary, and the core vaccines were changed from one to three year protocols. Why aren’t they and every other clinic following these guidelines? Gizmo was given non core vaccinations every year, ones we were told they needed. I expect the veterinarians to do the right thing that we pay them for.
A month later the director of the clinic wanted to hear our story and during that discussion he stated that, “the doctor who checked Gizmo didn’t find anything wrong with him and so did not suggest admitting him.” We have since reported them to BBB and the clinic sent us an email that states they told us to admit Gizmo which they did not. It also states other things that they never did. In addition, their office did not make one single phone call to us to see if Gizmo was doing okay. This is unethical and negligent behavior for those involved that we trust our pets lives to.
Michelle, thanks so much for telling your story. Unfortunately, it’s one I hear all too often. People trust their vets and their vets let them down.
I hope you’ll report what happened to the USDA and file a complaint at your state veterinary medical association. At the least, this will embarrass the vet. You can also file a claim in small claims court. None of this will compensate you for your loss, but it is the only way change can be made. https://truth4pets.org/reporting-reactions/
If you need a copy of the study of 1 million+ dogs experiencing vaccine reactions, and the special danger to small dogs, write again and I’ll send it to you.
I’m so sorry for your loss. If you send a photo of your dog, I’ll post it with your story.
We took our labradoodle to get his rabies vaccine 2-18-16. Three weeks later, just this past saturday 3-12-16 he died of an autoimmune disease brought on by the vaccine. Like many people, I had not heard of any problems with it but 3 days after getting it he refused to eat and we didn’t connect it with the vaccine yet. Then gradually, he seemed not himself, still had problems with his appetite and eventually got stiff and started vomiting. Took him to the vet and he did blood work, gave him 4 shots and gave us pills to start the next day. The next morning we rushed him to an animal hospital where he died within 3 hours. We are heartsick. Animals look for us to take care of them and I feel I let him down. I am so sorry Ziggie….
I am soooo sorry nancy, our pets are our best friends and we have alot of wonderful memories of our partners in life……think good thought and i hope this matter gets resolved so you will have closure…. Love you …..kathy
In 2013, my 13 year old cat was given her yearly vaccination as I thought I was doing the right thing by having her protected, although she did not go out that much.She was a healthy cat before her booster shot..A month later, she was sneezing with a slight discharge from the nose..She was taken to the clinic, and the vet mentioned that he would give her a dead vaccine next time.
She slowly deteriorated, became very lethargic and lame in one back leg..The vet suggested an x-Ray to find the cause regarding the leg..However, my cat went ahead with the procedure and could not come round from the anaesthetic, she had gone into a coma, and the vet told me she was very sick and that possibly the cancer had spread and went to the brain…She was put to sleep as we were told she would not wake up and were heartbroken..
tests later revealed she had lymphoma and yet before her booster she was a happy healthy cat…was given the vaccination December 2012, died 20/6/13. However, I changed my vet and promised I would not vaccinate my other cats as they had already had a few yearly shots..the new vet said he would vaccinate in a different place should anything occur it would be easier to operate and that my other senior cat would only need the one vaccination cat flu and not leaukemia, I agreed and she had her booster..She was ok for that year 2014, however this year 2015, I agreed I was doing the right thing by having her protected from disease, although she was basically in indoor cat, and she was given the one cat flu vaccine..she was given this in July, and a few weeks later started to show signs of illness, lethargy and loss of appetite and just looked ill..
I took her to the vets and it was confirmed she had a slight temperature and was given antibiotics..She improved and regained her appetite, however she later showed symptoms of illness and was sleeping for much of the time and had to wake her up to get some kind of movement out of her and trying to coax her to regain her appetite…She was taken to the vet hospital again and had blood tests done which came back normal and that she only had a small temperature..She is at this moment 12/9/2015, still the same with lethargy, sleeping for much of the time, back leg problem, unbalanced walk, and just generally looking tired and unwell..she is not the same cat, and although she is eating a little at a time, I am concerned if she has diabetes and having further tests..
I can only assume her illness is related to the vaccine as her blood test came back normal and that this is the second time this has happened whereby two cats have fallen ill a few weeks after having their booster shots.. Maybe older cats should not be given them, I don’t really know the answer..I am heartbroken that my cat is acting this way and not the same cat and am looking for a holistic vet for any natural help they can offer her by a detox programme recovering from vaccinosis. I hope this is a warning to other pet owners and to do a thorough research regarding vaccine and discussing this with their own vet and a holistic vet..
Miss M, I’ve posted your article. I’m so sorry for your woes. Please read this before considering more vaccines. https://truth4pets.org/question-before-vaccination/
My beautiful amazing brilliant 8 year old Miniature Schnauzer died of Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA) a month after she was given vaccines. I wish I had known about titers. I miss her so much and I thought I was taking good care of my baby by keeping her, what Vet’s call, up to date on shots.
My Labradoodle Archie had to have the full yearly injections when he was four instead of the booster as he was 4 weeks or so overdue his yearly booster. Within a very short time time we noticed a lump on his neck near the injection site. It was excised but not a big enough margin was taken and we were told he had Fybrosarcoma usually found in cats at the injection site. I knew it was caused by the full injection he received the month before. The vet insisted it was only found in cats and that it was extremely rare in a dog. We were told the cancer would soon spread very quickly like an octopus and no hope of stopping it. 5 weeks later two new lumps on his neck were found. We were devastated and with no help on offer we turned to a Homeopathic vet and the internet.
Our Holistic vet started Archie on a RAW diet and various medications. He was operated on 5 weeks later and the two lumps were successfully removed with no cancer shown in the area. Archie is now 11 years and 6 months he is Still on the RAW food diet and we haven’t looked back. He will never have another injection and my vet respects my decision. I hope this information has helped.
Janet, I just read your post at truth4pets.org. Sorry for the delay but I was finishing the e-book version of my book (Scared Poopless: The Straight Scoop on Dog Care) and was under a deadline.
Thank you so much for posting your story. I’m so happy it had a happy ending. So often, they don’t.
I am, however, confused. You wrote: full yearly injections when he was four instead of the booster as he was 4 weeks or so overdue his yearly booster.
“Full injections” and “boosters” are identical. Did your vet tell you this nonsense?
No vet should ever be giving “yearly boosters.” And there is no such thing as being 4 weeks overdue. They weren’t likely due at all. Please read this article: https://truth4pets.org/question-before-vaccination/
I’m so glad you found a new holistic vet! That other vet was so far behind the times it makes me crazy!
I lost my 2 year old Pomeranian to a rabies shot 8 months after the injection, MRI , Vet and neurologist confirmed Rabies Vaccine Induced Encephalitis!!!!! His original vet didn’t know what was wrong for 4 months . Took him to a new Vet who knew right away what was wrong and tried to save him because he was so young. Now I refuse to get any rabies shots
Stacey, some states allow exemption to rabies vaccination. http://www.dogs4dogs.com/blog/2012/03/05/does-your-state-permit-rabies-vaccination-medical-exemptions/
10 yr lab ..never any issues ..laat yr got lyme des ..so they say ..did a month of pills .. …okay .. then needed rabiesw shot ..a few day later ..issues..head and face swelling..bad reaction .=too many meds in her body …im praying she will survive
Robert, for some reason I didn’t get notification of your post. How is your dog? You described a serious allergic reaction. Please make sure you report it to the manufacturer. They may help with vet bills. Also, make sure you have the reaction recorded in your dog’s file and get a copy of the file. You may be able to avoid getting that vaccine again. Before vaccinating again, please read: https://truth4pets.org/question-before-vaccination/
Good luck.
I took our dog into the vet for her rabies shot. She received both rabies and distemper. Within 8 hours she began losing control of her back legs and soon could not stand. She then began losing strength in her front legs and body. They held her over night and reported that they could find no evidence of ticks or any animal that could have bitten her. The conclusion was she had coon hound disease. The only in common thing she had was the rabies shot. They did not commit the reason to the shots but said only shots she should ever receive are ones mandated by law. They said this was a lifetime disease and would stay dormant in her system and there would be relapses. WOW! We were sent home with an antibiotic and pain reliever. She went in a happy, strong, healthy dog and came home paralyzed, heavy panting, and in pain. It took months for her to come back to a normal dog. And by normal I mean she was getting around good and gaining weight. Not the same dog. She was always at the head of the pack and watching her struggle to keep at the end of the pack broke my heart. She has had one relapse, not as intense and recovered a little faster and is now running and playing, has again gained a little weight. Still not the same dog but doing well for the moment. A side issue is she gets car sick and the medication she was given for this cannot be given to her now because it will bring the disease all back.
Linda, I just read your comment about your dog and the rabies vaccine. Neurological problems are not unusual although vets pretend that they are.
You might try to find a vet trained in homeopathy who might be able to help her. https://truth4pets.org/vets I especially recommend Dr. Loops who will consult by phone.
We had a beautiful male brindle boxer. He was do full of love and life, we took him to the vets to get his 3-year Rabies vaccine. Within 45 min’s of receiving his Rabies vaccine, he started foaming at the mouth & from his nose and he started seizing!! I panicked, I called the vets office, told them what was happening and they told me, “we’ll, it’s a dead virus, I don’t believe it was caused by the Rabies Vaccine. I persisted in explaining why I knew it was the Rabies vaccine that had caused it. He refused to talk to me any longer. I contacted a couple of “Specialty Vets”. And they confirmed that it was the Rabies Vaccine that had caused his seizures! The following year our beloved boxer, so dear to our hearts, developed cancer. He died toward the end of2012 and the beginning of 2013. Our hearts are empty without him.. We will NEVER!! Forget our beloved Aarris. How do you get a dog license after the original vaccines if you live in a place where you are fined for not getting the additional Rabies Vaccine? I will never again vaccinate more than once … Be very careful when it comes to vaccinating your animals. Heart broken. Cindi
omg ..im in same boat and fear i will lose my best friend