Hind limb paresis after Bordetella Vaccine in dogs

The FDA has received 45 reports of hind limb paresis in dogs after Bordetella Vaccine. That is 0.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.3% across reports for all dog medicines.

45Reports

84%Marked serious

16%Recovered

29%Died or euthanised

2 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

13 30%

1–2 days

11 25%

3–7 days

3 6.8%

1–4 weeks

11 25%

Over a month

6 14%

How the animals did

Recovered

7 16%

Still unwell when reported

23 51%

Died

4 8.9%

Euthanised

9 20%

Not known

2 4.4%

Problems reported at the same time

18 40%

13 29%

13 29%

12 27%

12 27%

9 20%

8 18%

8 18%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Type: vaccine.

Mild, short-lived lethargy, soreness or a small lump at the injection site are the most commonly reported vaccine reactions.

Questions owners ask

Can Bordetella Vaccine cause hind limb paresis in dogs?: 45 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?: In half of the reports with dates, it started within 2 days of the first dose.
What should I do?: Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Hind limb paresis with similar medicines

Hind limb paresis after Rabies Vaccine 40 reports · 0.4% of its reports
Hind limb paresis after Leptospirosis Vaccine 36 reports · 0.4% of its reports
Hind limb paresis after Distemper-parvo Vaccine 21 reports · 0.3% of its reports

All reported side effects of Bordetella Vaccine in dogs · Medicines most reported with hind limb paresis