Blood problems after Lyme Vaccine in dogs

The FDA has received 140 reports of blood problems in dogs after Lyme Vaccine. That is 2.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.8% across reports for all dog medicines.

140Reports

83%Marked serious

6.4%Recovered

37%Died or euthanised

13 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

17 16%

1–2 days

14 13%

3–7 days

16 15%

1–4 weeks

27 25%

Over a month

33 31%

How the animals did

Recovered

8 5.7%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 0.7%

Still unwell when reported

56 40%

Died

16 11%

Euthanised

36 26%

Not known

23 16%

Problems reported at the same time

72 51%

67 48%

52 37%

43 31%

43 31%

35 25%

31 22%

30 21%

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 Lyme Vaccine cause blood problems in dogs?: 140 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 13 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).

Blood problems with similar medicines

Blood problems after Rabies Vaccine 487 reports · 4.9% of its reports
Blood problems after Bordetella Vaccine 544 reports · 5.8% of its reports
Blood problems after Leptospirosis Vaccine 498 reports · 6.2% of its reports
Blood problems after Distemper-parvo Vaccine 368 reports · 5.7% of its reports

All reported side effects of Lyme Vaccine in dogs · Medicines most reported with blood problems