Question about vet visit...

[WDWBarb]

I took my little dog in for his annual visit today - rabies and stuff and a heartworm test and nail trim. There was a new vet at the practice and they usually give him the shots, etc. in front of me but she took him in the back.

He came back to the room acting fine and we came home.

But now, 6 hours later, he's in some kind of pain. He can't seem to jump up on the couch or walk up the stairs (not easily, anyway). I can't figure out exactly where he's hurting - he flinches and whines if I try to touch anything other than his head.

Should I be concerned? He's lived with me for almost 4 years now (he was a rescue) and he's never had any problems like this after his annual exam. Is he likely just sore from the shots? I know the heartworm exam requires that they draw blood, so that might explain one of his front legs being sore (I can't tell which leg they used). But if I had to guess, it's his hind-end that is bothering him (at least it seems like it when he's trying to walk up the steps).

Of course, the vet's office is closed now.

 

[Angelhalo]

The SAME thing happened to us last time. Did you check your little ones nails? Turned out our baby's nails were clipped too short on one foot and it just totally threw her off whack for the rest of the day and the next. She would whine and limp and hid a lot. When she finally let me come in close I checked and her toenail had dried blood on it. I called the vet's office the next day and they apologized profusely. I understand that these things can happen, but at least tell me about it. Don't just send me home with a dog that is hurting and I have no idea why.

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

It's probably the vaccine. You can use 81mg baby aspirin (1/2 tablet per 10 pounds) if you think he needs it... provided he isn't on any other medications and doesn't have a sensitive stomach.

 

[WDWBarb]

Ok, I gave him the baby aspirin (which DH just happened to have!) and then he drank a lot of water. But just getting him up the stairs took 10 minutes - I can't pick him up because he yelps but he kept stopping like he was in pain.

I did notice that one back toenail has a slight red dot at the tip (he has VERY hard nails and they are very difficult to clip, which is why I have the vet do it).

The aspirin hasn't had a chance to "kick in," I'm sure, but he seems to be getting worse. Even DH (not a big fan of my dogs!) is concerned. My German Shepherd is whining and sniffing him. He's usually a seriously active dog - he's part Beagle and bounces all of the time. He's just dragging around right now with big sad eyes.

 

[Holidaymouse]

It probably is the vaccine. If you call the vet, there might be a contact number for non-emergencies. If not, your local animal hospital could check out your pooch. It will be hugely expensive though.

Hope your doggie feels better.

 

[LindaR]

This sounds so familiar to me. My toy poodle started having reactions to one of her shots. They give it kinda around the shoulder area right behind her neck. She actually gets a tender spot that gets hot. And she doesn't want to move. The first time it happened, she actually tried to snap at ME when I touched it.

Now the vet gives her something BEFORE her shots to counteract her reaction.

I believe he had me give her some Benedryl the first time.

It IS scary!

Call him. That's why they have emergency numbers!

 

[WDWBarb]

The vet's after-hours message refers you to the local emergency hospital. I have zero faith in those guys, unfortunately - my Shepherd had a heat stroke a few years ago and they tried to charge me $900 for a blood transfusion. Huh? For a heat stroke? Thankfully I chose to leave and not do it - it just didn't make sense. But they charge you just to walk in the door I think I was out $200 and they didn't do anything besides an exam. My vet told me the next day that a transfusion would have been useless. She ended up being fine, by the way!!

I'm going to wait and see what happens here. He's sleeping in my lap now - I built steps to the couch with some pillows so he could make it up and down. If he gets worse, I'll bite the bullet and take him to the emergency hospital. I just never know if they are doing the right thing.

Thanks to all the wonderful peeps on the Disboards! I told DH that I'd find advice here!!

 

[LindaR]

Well STILL make sure that you contact your vet on Monday (or Tuesday) to tell him what happened EVEN if you pup is all better! You want to make sure that they have something in the records so that next time he gets shots they are aware of what happens and will take steps to prevent it!

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

In most states, rabies is given every three years and the distemper-parvo one is given every year. If he got both vaccines today, he may be more sore than he was in previous years when he only got the distemper-parvo one. Fortunately, he won't get both again for three years. When he is due for both the next time, you might want to request that they split the vaccines up by a few days instead of giving them all on the same day.

 

[WDWBarb]

I'm actually in Kentucky, too - I didn't realize that the rabies shot wasn't every year? I'll have to check the bill to see exactly what he got. I just assumed rabies was part of the annual shots.

He's doing a LOT better since he took the aspirin. He's not quite back-to-normal, but he's able to get around and isn't "dragging" quite so much.

 

[AmyinKY]

OP, we sold our vet practive in KY 3 years ago, my husband is a veternarian. Anyway, rabies vaccines are usually one year, but you can request a three year. Does the practice board animals? If so, someone will be in over the weekend to take care of the boarders. Try calling the back line to the practice if you know it. They may answer the phone if it is not the main number. It could be just the nails cut too short or the vaccines making her/him not feel good for the next 24 hours.

What part of KY are you in?

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

I'm actually in Kentucky, too - I didn't realize that the rabies shot wasn't every year? I'll have to check the bill to see exactly what he got. I just assumed rabies was part of the annual shots.

He's doing a LOT better since he took the aspirin. He's not quite back-to-normal, but he's able to get around and isn't "dragging" quite so much.

In Kentucky, the first rabies vaccine given (usually at 12 to 16 weeks of age) is always for one year. After the initial one year vaccine, the state recommendation is every three years, although there are some practices that continue to give the one year vaccine... especially to cats.

 

[brittsmum1998]

My bichon was really lazy and hid under the bed after having her shots. I went to pet her on the leg and yelped!! She stayed under the bed most of the first day and didn't even bark when people came into the house (which is very unusual for her) . I would say they gave her the shot in the upper thigh (my dh took her so I wasn't aware)

She definately felt lousy that day and somewhat the next but then bounced right into normal hyper mode the next.

 

[WDWBarb]

OP, we sold our vet practive in KY 3 years ago, my husband is a veternarian. Anyway, rabies vaccines are usually one year, but you can request a three year. Does the practice board animals? If so, someone will be in over the weekend to take care of the boarders. Try calling the back line to the practice if you know it. They may answer the phone if it is not the main number. It could be just the nails cut too short or the vaccines making her/him not feel good for the next 24 hours.

What part of KY are you in?

I'm in Lexington and my vet doesn't do boarding. They partner with a kennel close by.

But the good news is that he seems ok today! The aspirin last night really helpled and I was worried about how he'd feel this morning (when it wore off). He's almost back to normal! He's a *wee* bit slower than his usual bouncy self, but he's way more active and he's not acting like he's hurting anymore.

 

[WDWBarb]

In Kentucky, the first rabies vaccine given (usually at 12 to 16 weeks of age) is always for one year. After the initial one year vaccine, the state recommendation is every three years, although there are some practices that continue to give the one year vaccine... especially to cats.

I'm pretty sure they give rabies every year at my vet - I'm not 100% positive and DH can't find the bill but I've been going there for 8 years and I believe they mention it at every annual checkup. Is giving it every year not a good practice? If it's not necessary, why would any practice do it? I'm hoping the answer isn't about being able to bill for it ...

Thanks for the advice!! Ya'll are so great and sure help a dog mom out when she's worried!

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

Check the rabies tag if they gave you one yesterday. It should have the expiration date (or year) on it. The one year followed by three year vaccine is what the state and health department recommends, so that's what we give. Giving the vaccine every year is fine as long as they give the one year vaccine. (There are different vaccines for one year and three years.) IMO, many owners are not good about getting their pets in for their vaccines on time. With the three year vaccine, there is a smaller margin of error.