So, my little buddy, my dog Max, he’s been coughing a bit lately. Not his usual playful bark, but a real, hacking cough that kinda worried me. I did what any responsible pet parent would do – I took him to the vet. Turns out, it might be kennel cough. The vet recommended the kennel cough vaccine, also known as the Bordetella vaccine. I’d heard of it before, but I wasn’t sure about potential side effects.
Now, I’m not one to just blindly follow advice, even from a vet. I like to do my own research, you know? So, I hopped online and started digging. Turns out, the kennel cough shot can have some side effects, just like any other vaccine. Most of them are pretty mild, from what I gathered.
Common Side Effects
- Soreness: I read that some dogs might get a bit sore where they got the shot. Makes sense, right? Like when we get a flu shot. I figured I’d just keep an eye on Max and make sure he wasn’t in too much pain.
- Lethargy: Apparently, some dogs might feel a little tired after the shot. I figured that’s pretty normal too. I mean, their bodies are working hard to build up immunity.
- Mild Coughing or Sneezing: This one surprised me a little. Some dogs might actually cough or sneeze a bit after getting the kennel cough shot. But from what I read, it’s usually mild and goes away on its own.
After getting all the info, I decided to go ahead with the vaccine. I figured the benefits of protecting Max from kennel cough outweighed the risks of some mild side effects. Max got the shot, and honestly, he didn’t even flinch.
He was a little sleepy that evening, which was expected. I gave him some extra cuddles and let him rest. He did have some mild sneezing as well, but as what I read, it did not last long.
The next day, he was back to his usual, energetic self, chasing squirrels in the backyard. So, all in all, it wasn’t a big deal. I’m glad I got him vaccinated, and I’m glad I took the time to learn about the potential side effects beforehand.
It’s always better to be prepared, right? Every dog is different, so your pup might react differently. But hopefully, my experience with Max can give you a little insight into what to expect if you decide to get your furry friend the kennel cough shot.
