I have had a telephone call from a very worried puppy owner.  Pup had been with them for nearly a week before taking to vet for initial vaccination - he had been absolutely fine, settled in brilliantly, no tummy upsets, eating, sleeping and playing well etc.  About 24 hours after injection he developed conjunctivitis like symptoms for which vet gave drops, then spots developed into sores on his muzzle/throat - he then went on metacam.  When that didn't seem to help he was given an antihistamine last night and today he has come up with like an abcess on his neck - not on injection site and he has been kept in the vets.

I am as worried as his new owners are - have contacted all other pups and they appear to be fine although none has had same make of vaccine - Duramune??

Has anyone else had a reaction to a vaccine and, although I'm scared to ask, what was the outcome?

Any advice on what we can do?

Interestingly that same vaccine has had an awful reaction in one of my pups, and sods law it was the one destined to be shown, and the only one using this vaccine.

She developed hayfever like symptoms (running swollen eyes) which are only just sorted as it led to an eye ulcer (due to rubbing ) now at 8 months. 

Needless to say due to the swollen eyelids and tear staining she hasn't been shown yet, hoping to be out at Midland counties assuming she isn't in season.

A dog I bred had anaphylactic shock after being boosted with this vaccine as a mature adults and is never to have boosters again on vets advice.

A different dog had this vaccine as a booster and was very unwell with flu like symptoms for a week after.

Strange that this is three dogs, all three only bery distantly related to each other and the only vaccine reaction reports from owners.

Get them to ask about Puppy strangles or puppy head gland fever, sounds very like the symptoms to me! If it is the pup will need large doses of steroids and anti biotics. Make sure they mention it to the vet tonight as if this is what it is it needs treating as soon as possible.
Aileen

I agree, it sounds like puppy head gland disease. We're currently treating a 5-week pup for this at our practice; he's the only one in his litter to get it.

Treated quickly they do very well longterm, but treatment can take some time and they can sometimes be left with scarring. But they need steroids, so he needs to be taken back to the vet and the possibility of the condition put to them - many vets have never seen it.

Pup has been to the vet several times and this morning they kept him in.  They notified the vaccine supplier and also phoned round several other vet practices for ideas.  They have now diagnosed puppy strangles - owners were phoning back at 6.30pm for more news and if they can take him home.  As yet I've heard no more.

Fingers and paws crossed for him I had a pup of 5 weeks with it, he did recover and is a fit healthy 5 year old now but he had a lot of scarring on his nose and he was soo poorley for quite a while. Give the owners my best wishes
Aileen

Thank you Eileen - I think because his new owners were 'on the ball' he has been well cared for as regards veterinary treatment etc - still not heard if he's home.  Such a worrying time for us all.

Quick update - pup came home late last night but is back at 8.30am for a check up.

My litter before last - 7 puppies, one had dreadful reaction to vacinne and was on a drip all night it was the only one that had Duramune !!!! I now tell new puppy owners to stick to the one that we always have here at my vets.

Mmmm, interesting isn't it?  I'd never heard of it until a couple of days ago.  In future I shall warn any puppy owners to ask their vet what type of vaccine they use and steer well away from Duramune.  Going to my own vet next week, will ask his opinion on it.

Puppy strangles is linked to the immune system and I suspect that if that is compromised by a powerfull inoculation it can allow the strangles to get a grip. Bit like Mange as that also can be triggered by inoculations I believe.
Hope he is recovering and the scarring is not too bad.
Aileen
PS Just out of interest can you name the breed only it can be breed related and Glodens are one of the affected breeds.

The puppy we're treating is a flatcoat; he first became unwell at 4 weeks of age.

Just re-read what  said and it should be GOLDENS ! OOpps

Predisposed breeds include: the Golden Retriever, Dachshund, and Gordon Setter.

Aileen

How interesting a local vet to me has been having issues with vaccine reactions and break downs( lepto breaking out) and guess what vaccine used??!! I have always used nobivac but I believe that duramune are cheaper vaccine as the vets using it is mainly a vaccine/neutering clinic.They radio advertise it etc at amazingly low rates.

I had this with one of my flatcoats. She could not tolerate the vaccine. She had to be on steroids to bring her out of it. she got so bad before we realised what we were dealing with she nearly died. I did once she was well wean her off the steroids she was on 2 x 4 times a day. My vet advised me to never vaccinate her again, which I did not and although  had been told she would not live to much past seven due to the seriousness of the reaction and the level of medication, she did in fact live until she was 11.5 years of age.

The symptoms described are the exact same symptoms I had with Rose, right down to the sores. With Rose you could see the sores in her throat and nose.

It is a Golden Retriever puppy.  He was much improved yesterday, eating well and even playing in the garden.  Back again this morning for another check up but fingers crossed he's over the worst now and will make a complete recovery.

Oh how awful for both owner and breeder fingers crossed he,s on the better side now x

Hi Jeangenie, I'm guessing the Flat Coat pup you are treating is by my boy!
I had never heard of it until his breeder contacted me, I am going to see him next weekend.
Thanks for looking after him !

Two of my dogs were given duramune as pups and both were incredibily ill that night, panting heavily.  As I have a new pup I told my vet I do not want duramune to be given, he seemed surprised as it is the first time he has heard of a dog having a reaction to the brand.