Puppy Yelping After Vaccination: 7 Causes + 5 Tips (2023)

Fur parents want their puppies to be healthy and strong.

And that’s why you’d want to vaccinate them as early as possible.

You hoped that it’d be a safe process…

But then, your pooch started yelping.

Aw… aw… awoo!

Their sharp cries can ring your alarm bells.

So what went wrong?

Continue reading to know:

7 alarming signs of pain in puppies after shots.
5 simple tips on how to comfort your furry friend.
7 important reasons why puppies yelp after vaccination.
And a lot more…

Why is my puppy yelping after vaccination?

Your puppy is yelping after vaccination because they’re in pain. However, this is a good sign that the vaccine is taking effect. This shows that their system is reacting to the antigens. Typically, the pain goes away after 1 to 2 days of vaccination.

Puppy yelping after vaccination: 7 causes

#1: They’re in pain

One of the most common side effects of vaccines is pain.

And for puppies, their bodies are more sensitive compared to adult dogs.

So after vaccination, you can expect your furry pal to start yelping nonstop.

Their source of pain typically comes from the injected area. But in other cases, it can be anywhere throughout their bodies.

And that’s why some puppies will start crying when you touch them after vaccination.

Now aside from that, other causes of discomfort after vaccines can also be:

Stress.
Lumps.
Diarrhea.
Lethargy.
Breathing problems.

These 5 issues are also common side effects of shots in puppies.

And since they have no other way to express that they’re hurting…

The best thing they can do is yelp.

“Aside from yelping, how do I find out if my puppy is in pain?”

It can be easier to spot hints of ache in puppies compared to adult dogs.

You can find out by looking for these 7 signs:

Shaking.
Muscle stiffness.
Excessive panting.
Increased heart rate.
Difficulty with moving.
Trouble with sleeping.
Refusing to eat or drink.

According to vets, some dogs are great at hiding their pain. They do this as a survival tactic.

But with puppies, they don’t know these things yet.

So if you notice these signs, it’s best to get in touch with your vet right away.

#2: Skin irritation

Puppy Yelping After Vaccination Due To Skin Irritation

Irritated skin can also make a puppy yelp.

But what would cause this in the first place?

That’s because many vaccines can lead to an allergic reaction in dogs. Plus, some of them are sensitive to the ingredients they contain.

With that, puppies can develop a condition called hives, a.k.a urticaria.

It’s a skin allergy that causes bumps to appear on your dog.

So, how can you tell if your pooch has them?

According to PetMD, there are many signs of hives, such as:

Drooling.
Persistent scratching.
Wheals or reddish bumps.
Various swollen body parts.
Intense redness of the skin.

And with these 5 symptoms, you’ll spot urticaria in your puppy right away.

“Are hives dangerous for puppies?”

In general, this skin problem isn’t dangerous for puppies and adult dogs.

Hives will usually go away within 24 to 48 hours.

But there are cases when they could last for a week.

And even if it lasts for up to 14 days, it’s still not a major cause of concern.

Though, if you’re still worried, calling the vet is always a good choice.

#3: Due to stress or anxiety

Vaccinations can also cause mental changes in your pooch.

According to the ASPCA, your pooch will sometimes yelp or whine out of stress or anxiety.

So, how can vaccination cause such things to your furry buddy?

Well, you can imagine it this way:

It’s your first experience of going outside. And once you reached your destination, you met some new people.

Now, these strangers are doing a lot of tests on you.

In the end, they injected something into your body. And this made you feel weak.

So what’s next? Now you need to travel back despite your physical state.

And once you’re home, you can’t even relax properly.

Maybe you have a fever or even an annoying bump on your leg. You experienced all of this within the same day.

Sounds stressful, doesn’t it?

Now, the same thing is what your puppy could feel after visiting the vet.

Out of stress or anxiety, they’ll start yelping after vaccination.

But in some cases, according to the VCA, they’ll also do this just to get your attention.

It’s almost their way of saying, “Please stay with me. I don’t feel well right now.”

Just like how they cry to call out to their mommas when they want some milk.

You might be interested in: (11 Vital Tips) Dog Behavior Change After Vaccination

#4: Fever

Upon research, it’s stated that fever is a normal reaction to vaccines.

Now, we all know how it feels to be sick. So, picture the same scenario for your puppy.

The least they can do to let you know that they don’t feel well is by yelping.

But with that, you might be wondering…

“Aren’t vaccines supposed to protect my puppy?”

Yes, they are. But even regular medicine still has minor side effects.

And the same thing works with vaccines.

“So, how does it cause a fever in puppies?”

These shots contain elements that’ll help boost their immunity.

But before they can work, your pooch needs to fight off the vaccines first.

With that, their body is constantly exerting energy.

And during that moment, their immune system is more fragile. Thus, their body temperature might start to rise.

As a result, this can lead to a fever.

“How can I tell if my puppy is ill?”

There are different ways to find out if your dog has a fever.

And the simplest way is by observing them.

So aside from yelping, here are 7 more symptoms of fever in puppies:

Panting.
Coughing.
Appetite loss.
Sudden laziness.
Shivering nonstop.
Redness in the eyes.
Ears and nose are warm.

These signs can be an alarming sight for any fur parent.

So in case of any serious concerns, always consult the vet.

Reading tip: 11 Reasons Why Your Puppy Is So Lazy + 3 Essential Tips

#5: Stuffed nose

Puppies with stuffed noses are a common sight after vaccines.

But unlike adult dogs, it can be harder for them to breathe.

As a result, it’ll cause more discomfort to your pooch.

According to PetMD, this reaction is more common after an intranasal vaccine.

These are shots used to protect dogs from respiratory viruses.

But as a side effect, they can cause:

Sneezing.
Coughing.
Runny nose.

These 3 issues can happen all at once.

And if your pooch has a hard time breathing, they’ll let you know by yelping.

“Will this problem go away by itself?”

Rest assured, this effect subsides within 1 to 2 days.

But if your puppy is more sensitive to vaccines…

The symptoms can persist for a week.

With that said, it shouldn’t last any longer than that.

#6: Anaphylactic shocks

Now, as I mentioned in the first part…

There’s a more serious type of hives.

And that’s anaphylaxis.

This is a combination of different skin-related issues in dogs.

As it develops, it’ll start affecting your pooch’s breathing.

With that, an anaphylactic shock can turn fatal.

And it’s even more dangerous for puppies. That’s why it’s important to know its signs.

So, here are the different symptoms to watch out for:

Vomiting.
Excessive drooling.
Persistent diarrhea.
Having stiff muscles.
Urticaria, a.k.a hives.
Fainting and seizures.
Aggressive scratching.
Discolorations of the skin.
Showing blue tongue and gums.
Intense swelling all over the body.

Warning: If you notice any of these signs, it can be dangerous. So, go to the vet clinic immediately.

Suggested read: Dog Panting After Vaccines: 11 Vital Tips

#7: Vaccine failure

In rare cases… puppies can feel pain due to vaccine failure.

But what does that mean?

It can be a simple problem or a complicated one.

Vaccine failure could mean the staff just injected it the wrong way. And this can be a minor accident.

As a result, the puppy’s skin got injured in the process. But it’s usually not a serious concern.

If this happens, the wound can heal by itself in a few days.

Another example of vaccine failure is over-vaccination.

It refers to the process of receiving multiple shots on the same day.

In a way, it’s the same as overdosing for humans.

But sometimes, even if they take the vaccines a few days apart…

Puppies can still experience negative side effects.

An example would be causing seizures in your furry friend. That’s why it’s suggested to schedule their vaccinations wisely.

Moreover, most vets will give their shots only once every 3 to 6 months.

Others might recommend longer timeframes than that. This can also depend on the vaccination laws in your state.

Furthermore, a rare case of vaccine failure caused rabies in dogs. This occurred in Nigeria, based on a study.

These errors can be too much for a puppy’s body. As a result, they’ll feel in pain. Then, it’ll lead to a lot of yelping.

Puppy yelping after vaccination: 5 tips

#1: Soothe their pain

Since soreness is a common side effect of vaccines…

The first thing you’d want to do is ease the pain your puppy feels. Nobody wants their furry pals to suffer, so what can you do to help them?

The best way you can get rid of their pain is by going to the vet.

And this is because you can’t buy anti-pain drugs for dogs without a prescription.

Moreover, it’s also best not to give your puppy any medicine without a vet’s approval.

The reason for this is simple. And that’s the fact that…

Not all pain relief medications are safe for our furry pals.

But, the dog-friendly ones are only available at vet clinics.

So by taking your pooch to the experts, they can assess whether they need medicine or not.

After all, some medications can still cause some side effects.

And that’s why some vets won’t prescribe them right away.

#2: Apply some antihistamines

In case of skin irritation, you can use antihistamines for your pooch.

These are medications used for treating skin allergies.

But once again, not all of them are safe for puppies.

So, here are 3 dog-friendly products that you can use:

You can also consider trying homeopathy methods. A study found that thuja is effective for relieving skin allergies.

These medications are great against hives that dogs get after vaccinations.

And in most cases, it’ll only take a few minutes before the drugs take effect.

In case of further concerns, you should always ask the vet.

Reading tip: Does Thuja Work For Dog Warts? Is It Safe For Dogs?

#3: Comfort your puppy

Puppies might get stressed or anxious from the vaccines.

But luckily, there are many ways to comfort them.

Here are 5 tips that you can try:

Avoid loud noises.
Let them rest as much as possible.
Offer small treats to help them relax.
Stay with them until they calm down.
Give them gentle pats or cuddle them.

You can think of it as if you’re trying to put a baby to bed. Therefore, you need to wait until they fall asleep before you leave them alone.

You might be interested in: 19 Proven Ways To Calm Your Anxious Dog (How-To Guide)

#4: Relieve their stuffy nose

In case your pooch has sniffles, a.k.a runny nose, and sneezing…

Then you can help them through medications.

But then again, you can’t get these drugs without approval.

Thus, you’ll have to take your furry friend to the vet.

Most clinics will prescribe antibiotics for your pooch in case of a stuffy nose.

But other than that, you can try another solution.

According to PetMD, using a humidifier can relieve their stuffy nose. It makes it easier for the mucus inside to get drained.

This will allow your pooch to breathe much better.

Alternatively, you can also watch a helpful guide.

Here’s a vet’s video on how to treat nasal allergies in dogs:

#5: Regulate their temperature

If you suspect that your puppy has a fever…

Then the first thing to do is to take their temperature.

To do this, vets say that there 2 popular methods you can try. The first method is with a digital thermometer, and the second is with a rectal one.

And the former one is for the ear canals of your pooch. It’s called an infrared thermometer.

Meanwhile, the latter is self-explanatory. Rectal thermometers are for the dog’s anal.

But you shouldn’t insert this any deeper than 1 inch.

Note: Also wait for at least a minute to get the most accurate results.

Now, the temperature you need to look for is around 103°F (39.4°C) to 104°F (40°C).

That’s the normal range for a common dog fever.

Tip: You can use a soft, wet towel for your pooch. Gently wipe their ears and paws. This will help them cool down a little.

And since this temperature isn’t a serious degree, you don’t have to call the vet right away.

Most cases of fever after vaccines will go away in 1 to 2 days.

Warning: A dog’s normal body temperature is around 101.0 to 102.5°F (38.3 to 39.2°C). So if it reaches a level of 106°F (41.1°C) or more, then it’s a high fever. Take them to the vet ASAP.