Vaccinations - Reaction

[Erny]

A person I came across the other day has a 5mo Golden Retriever - beautiful pup and really sweet. I asked about the pup's face, as it appeared lop-sided (similar to stroke patients whose face drops on one side). The owner told me that this occurred directly after the last vaccination (didn't think at the time to ask which vaccination was used) and that the Vet didn't think it was a problem (there was an implied tone to suggest that it wouldn't last).

Anyone else have this occur as a result of vaccination and did the dog's face recover? If so, how long did recovery take?

I'm just asking for curiosity. The owner hasn't asked and I didn't want to set up an alarm (other than the fact that I've already suggested that they may do well to avoid vaccinations). I will have more opportunity to speak with the owners, so I thought I'd back off a little until I had time to think about things and gather some additional information.

[W Sibs]

that's a weird reaction to a normal vaccination... i wonder what the vacs was for?

Charlie sleeps for hours and wakes up really really hungry after vacs.

Emmy has no reactions... nothing effects her happy mood.

[Caesars mum]

not sure if this will help but it is information in regards to Bells Palsy in humans and it does usually correct itself and is usually cause by a virus or compression in the c=facial nerves.

Causes of Bell's palsy

The symptoms of Bell's palsy occur when the nerve that controls the muscles in your face becomes inflamed or compressed. The exact cause of this damage, however, is unknown.

It's thought that the herpes simplex virus, which causes cold sores, may be associated with Bell's palsy. If the virus causes infection near your facial nerve, it can become swollen and inflamed.

Diagnosis of Bell's palsy

Your GP will ask about your symptoms and examine you. It's usually possible to diagnose Bell's palsy by looking at how your face is affected on one side.

Depending on your specific symptoms, your GP may refer you to a neurologist (a doctor who specialises in identifying and treating conditions that affect the nervous system, including the brain), or an ear, nose and throat specialist.

Treatment of Bell's palsy

For most people, Bell's palsy gets better by itself without any treatment. If your condition is mild, your GP will usually recommend you take some self-help measures to help you recover. You may, however, need medicines or surgery if your condition is longer-term or more severe.

Self-help

If you have Bell's palsy, you may find it difficult to blink and close your eyelid. This means that the surface of your eye could be at risk of drying out. You can keep your eye moist by using:

lubricating eye drops such as artificial tears, eye ointments or eye gels

an eye patch or tape to keep your eye closed before you go to sleep

Always read the patient information leaflet that comes with these products and if you have any questions, ask your pharmacist for advice.

Medicines

Your GP may prescribe a steroid such as prednisolone to reduce the inflammation in your facial nerve. If you have this treatment within three days of your symptoms starting, you're more likely to recover. The course of tablets is usually between seven and 10 days.

Always ask your doctor for advice and read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine.

Complementary therapies

It has been suggested that acupuncture and physical therapies such as facial exercises and massage may be beneficial for Bell's palsy, but more research is needed to confirm whether these treatments are effective.

[Erny]

that's a weird reaction to a normal vaccination... i wonder what the vacs was for?

It was at least C3.

[Erny]

Thanks CM. I don't know if it is BP or not but will mention the possibility to the owner.

[stormie]

Erny have they actually had the problem looked at?

Tetanus can cause similar symptoms (though usually taught, rather than droopy), as can damage to the facial nerve, deep ear infections, or disease/inflammation to the nerve. Bells Palsy is also a possibility.

Edited December 1, 2010 by stormie

[Erny]

Erny have they actually had the problem looked at?

Tetanus can cause similar symptoms (though usually taught, rather than droopy), as can damage to the facial nerve, deep ear infections, or disease/inflammation to the nerve. Bells Palsy is also a possibility.

Because they said "the Vet said it wasn't anything to worry about" I can only presume they did see the Vet. There were several things happening at once at the time that I saw them so it wasn't the time for more in depth. I'll see them again though and mention these possibilities. The dog seemed happy and healthy enough in all other ways.

[tlc]

Erny, my oldest boy had a severe reaction to his 16 week vacc for Canine cough, the one that they get on its own at 16 weeks. His whole face swelled up till he nearly couldn't breath, the swelling started about 10 mins after the vacc was given. We took him strait back to the vets where they gave him an shot of anti histamine (sp) and the swelling started to subside, it took about 6 hours for his face to return to normal and he has never had a reaction since. The vet said it was uncommon for them to have a reaction but occasionally it did happen and it was usually the CC vacc that did it.

[Erny]

Thanks tlc. This isn't swelling though. It was almost as though the dog was grinning with one side of its mouth (not to the point of exposing teeth) and not the other. I'm not sure now whether that side was 'tight' (so Stormie's post regards to tetanus has me concerned) or whether it was the other side that was a bit loose. I would need to look at the dog again to know.

Glad your dog ended up being ok though, tlc, and thanks for posting here.

[OSoSwift]

I would think Erny - just looking at my mental pictures of Goldens in my head- that normally their lips would never look like they were smiling and would normally look a little looser so that would lead me to think it may be more the fact the tighter looking side is actually the one that is the affected side??????? MAy be wrong though?? What is the ear doing on that side???

I know of a lady down here who ended up with Bells Palsey after an attack of shingles, it toolk quite a few months but she is back to normal now.

[Erny]

...would lead me to think it may be more the fact the tighter looking side is actually the one that is the affected side??????? MAy be wrong though?? What is the ear doing on that side???

That's what I'm now not sure of - I'm not sure that I could trust my memory of it, not being certain at the time as to what I was looking for. I should be able to make contact with the owners and will try to do so, just so we can have a better chat and make sure everything is ok.

[stormie]

Either way, it sounds weird for a vet to not be concerned!!! I hope the dog is ok!

[Moselle]

Sounds like the dog has had an allergic reaction to the vaccine; I would have thought that a shot of antihistamine should have been given instead of just waiting it out.....

Edited December 2, 2010 by Moselle

[aussielover]

Sounds like the dog has had an allergic reaction to the vaccine; I would have thought that a shot of antihistamine should have been given instead of just waiting it out.....

Not necessarily. That is a very unusual adverse reaction to occur!

I am not sure an antihistamine would help in this situation as it appears to involve the nerves and/or muscles.

I am not sure why the vet wouldn't be concerned??? Surely paralysis warrants further investigation?

Sometimes when my lab has an itchy ear, it will make her face appear lopsided, because she holds it in a lower set position

Also there was a time I thought one lower eyelid was droopier than the other, but it isn't apparent anymore.

[stormie]

Sounds like the dog has had an allergic reaction to the vaccine; I would have thought that a shot of antihistamine should have been given instead of just waiting it out.....

Not necessarily. That is a very unusual adverse reaction to occur!

I am not sure an antihistamine would help in this situation as it appears to involve the nerves and/or muscles.

I am not sure why the vet wouldn't be concerned??? Surely paralysis warrants further investigation?

Sometimes when my lab has an itchy ear, it will make her face appear lopsided, because she holds it in a lower set position

Also there was a time I thought one lower eyelid was droopier than the other, but it isn't apparent anymore.

+1 (except for the last bit cause I don't have a lab )

[Erny]

Have spoken with one of the owners. Turns out that they've now had tests done as they weren't confident about the situation. Tetanus has been ruled out by the bloods. Dx is Bells Palsy. According to the Vet the BP could have been indirectly brought about as a result of the vaccination (body fighting infection is the loose wording to the reasoning behind this thought). I'm not saying if that is right or not - just what they've been told. I guess it is moot point anyway but for what it is worth it sounds a plausible explanation to me. The owners have been versed in what to look for (eg. checking for blinking response; etc). Their dog is the apple of their eye and they are keeping a very close watch on what is happening and will be back to the Vet (or specialist if need be) if there is any chance they think there is more to it or worsens.

Phew - I'm happier now that I've spoken with them and they very much appreciated the concern.

Thanks everyone for your responses. It was worth going through regardless as my first instinct of concern was correct - I just didn't know they'd taken this further than what had initially been indicated. I would do it over again for the same scenario. And clever people that you are - quite spot on with your thoughts . I love having access to people such as you via DOL. It is a collection of a huge range of experiences and consequently one very gigantic pot of knowledge.