Investigating the Cause of Allergic
Reactions after Vaccination in Dogs
Has Your Dog Had an Allergic Reaction
Within Minutes or Within a Few Hours After Vaccination?
Allergic reactions are the most common adverse event
associated with vaccination in dogs.
Most dogs with allergic reactions have one or more of the following
signs: swelling around the eyes, facial
swelling or edema, small swellings on the surface of the skin (wheals),
generalized itching, or vomiting.
Are Some Dogs More Likely to Have
Allergic Reactions After Vaccination?
Recent research has demonstrated that small dogs in
general, and several specific breeds, are at higher risk for these
reactions. In a study involving more
than 1 million dogs, our epidemiology section at
Reaction rates were observed to be significantly
different between breeds, even if the breeds had similar adult weights. Dachshund, Pug, Boston Terrier, Miniature
Pinscher, and
What’s the Cause?
Laboratory studies have shown that normal dogs make
antibodies against many vaccine components, even though they may not show an
allergic reaction immediately following vaccination. Although the specific cause of
allergic reactions in dogs remains unknown, vaccine components that are
residual from the manufacturing process have been incriminated.
How Will This Study Help Determine the
Cause?
Using serum from dogs of
high-risk breeds, this study will compare antibody concentrations in dogs
demonstrating allergic reactions versus antibody concentrations in dogs of the
same breed that don’t have reactions.
From this study, we hope to identify the vaccine components that
stimulate allergic reactions.
How Can I Participate in the Study?
If your dog meets the
following criteria:
1) Breed: Is
either a Dachshund, Pug, Chihuahua, Miniature Pinscher, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Australian
Terrier, or Kerry Blue Terrier, and ...
2) was vaccinated in the last 3 weeks,
then it can participate in
the study.
We are particularly interested in dogs that have had
allergic reactions and their relatives (preferably littermates).
Sample collection:
Two (2) ml of serum are
needed per dog for the analyses, necessitating withdrawal of approximately 4-5
ml of blood. Samples may be taken from
affected dogs as soon as clinical signs of an allergic reaction develop, or
within 3 weeks thereafter. Samples may
be taken from non-affected dogs as soon as the day following vaccination, or
within 3 weeks thereafter. Please send
serum, and not whole blood.
Instructions for Veterinarians:
Forms:
Sample submission:
For samples from dogs that
meet the eligibility criteria, veterinarians can email the investigators their mailing
address, and postage-paid mailers will be sent to the veterinarian for return
of the serum sample to our laboratory.
Alternatively, you can send
the serum sample(s) and forms direct to:
Immunopathology Laboratory
Attn: Vaccine Study (VPTH 203)
Dept. of Comparative Pathobiology
Sample information: The specimen submission form must be completed
and submitted for each patient’s sample.
Client Consent: Owners
should sign the study Client Consent Form and the signed form should be
submitted to
Samples will be collected
through 2008.
Regrettably, we cannot pay
for the mailing of samples from dogs of other breeds than those above, but we
will accept the samples into our study if you and your veterinarian wish to
send them to us.
Thank you for supporting
this study and other research to help improve canine health!
This study is supported by
the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation.
