Hey everyone, it’s your buddy here, and today I want to talk about something that a lot of dog owners might run into: kennel cough and the vaccinations for it. So, my golden retriever, Buddy, started hanging out at the dog park more often, and you know how it is, dogs being dogs, playing and roughhousing together. I started worrying about kennel cough because I heard it spreads pretty easily.
So, I took Buddy to the vet to get the Bordetella vaccine. The vet told me it’s pretty common for dogs to get this shot, especially if they’re social butterflies like my Buddy. The process was smooth, just a quick injection, and we were out of there.
What happened after the shot?
- Initially, Buddy seemed fine. But a few hours later, I noticed he was a bit more tired than usual. He just wanted to lie down and didn’t even get up to greet the mailman, which is super unlike him.
- I also saw some redness where he got the shot. It didn’t seem to bother him much, but I kept an eye on it.
- The next day, he was still a bit lethargic and his appetite wasn’t great. He only picked at his food, which is my biggest red flag since Buddy loves to eat.
I got a bit worried, so I called the vet. They told me these were pretty normal side effects and that I should just make sure he rests and stays hydrated. They also mentioned that some dogs might get a mild fever, but Buddy didn’t have that, thankfully.
After about three days, Buddy started to perk up. His energy came back, he started eating normally, and the redness went away. It was such a relief to see him wagging his tail and bringing me his favorite toy again.
I learned that while these vaccines are super important for protecting our pups, they can have some side effects. It’s nothing to panic about, but it’s good to be prepared and know what to look out for. Just keep your vet in the loop, and most importantly, give your furry friend lots of love and rest.
And remember, this was my experience with Buddy. Every dog is different, so your experience might be different too. Always consult your vet if you’re worried!
