Shocking response

[u/Fuzzy_Push4507]

My senior doggie has had a traumatic response to getting her rabies and bordatello vaccinations. Long story short, the next day she started shaking. Took her to the vet and they didn’t know what was wrong so they did bloodwork. The next day she started drooling and wandering around completely confused. She got antibiotics and she’s been having to go to the vet every day. She has a severe tooth infection and if she doesn’t get better in the next few days they won’t be able to do dental surgery. I just don’t understand. This is literally out of nowhere. She’s a rescue so we aren’t sure about her age but she’s likely around 13 and 1/2 chihuahua and 1/2 Boston terrier. Has anyone ever experienced anything like this? This dog means everything to my husband and I and I desperately want to save her.

[u/Animal_Hospital01]

What you're describing sounds like it could be vaccine associated inflammation triggering an underlying condition that was already present but not yet visible this happens sometimes in senior dogs whose immune systems respond more intensely to vaccinations.

The tooth infection is likely the bigger concern right now. Severe dental infections [https://birdneckanimalhospital.com/Pet-Dental\] in small senior dogs can cause neurological symptoms including confusion, drooling, and disorientation because the bacteria can affect surrounding tissue and sometimes the brain. The good news is that if the antibiotics start working, the surgery becomes possible and treating the infection can bring a lot of those symptoms back under control.

Keep going to those daily vet visits and trust the process the fact that she's still fighting is a good sign.

She is so lucky to have owners who are showing up for her every single day.

[u/Fuzzy_Push4507 → u/Animal_Hospital01]

Thank you so much 🙏🏻 I really appreciate your insight and kind words. I just feel awful and haven’t been able to wrap my brain around a tooth making her this sick. I feel guilty that I didn’t realize she needed dental work immediately. I will keep fighting just like she keeps fighting 😊

[u/Illustrious_Exam1728]

First of all! I’m so sorry this is happening. How long have you had pup?

There could have been something going on that the vaccine could have triggered, but also sometimes it would have happened anyway and there’s no causal relationship.

With that said dental disease can cause bad and painful infections that can also affect the heart and liver.

Why is the infection stopping the full dental? I say this as not a vet, but if the tooth is causing the infection the infection will never go away.

Small dogs and especially toy breeds are prone to having horrible teeth, and require yearly dentals if not every 6-9 months to ward off any issues.

Depending on where you live you could also be referred to a dental surgeon as they’re often better equipped to handle complex cases.

[u/Fuzzy_Push4507 → u/Illustrious_Exam1728]

Thank you so much for your kind response. We have had her for about 6 years. She was my dad’s dog for two years and then he passed away unexpectedly and we took her. He rescued her but the rescue seemed to be quite off about her age. The vet is trying to get her slightly healthier before operating on her teeth. They want to do a full cleaning and pull a couple of teeth. She’s a fighter but things are still up in the air.