Decreased red blood cell count after Distemper-parvo Vaccine in dogs

The FDA has received 60 reports of decreased red blood cell count in dogs after Distemper-parvo Vaccine. That is 0.9% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

60Reports
97%Marked serious
12%Recovered
37%Died or euthanised
16 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
7 13%
1–2 days
4 7.7%
3–7 days
10 19%
1–4 weeks
17 33%
Over a month
14 27%

How the animals did

Recovered
6 10%
Recovered with lasting effects
1 1.7%
Still unwell when reported
17 28%
Died
7 12%
Euthanised
15 25%
Not known
14 23%

Problems reported at the same time

Loss of appetite
34 57%
Lethargy
33 55%
Liver problems
31 52%
Kidney problems
26 43%
Blood problems
24 40%
Vomiting
23 38%
Leucocytosis
23 38%
Death
21 35%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
27
1–3 years
6
4–7 years
17
8–11 years
9
12+ years
1

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 Distemper-parvo Vaccine cause decreased red blood cell count in dogs?
60 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 16 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).

Decreased red blood cell count with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Distemper-parvo Vaccine in dogs · Medicines most reported with decreased red blood cell count