Itching after Lyme Vaccine in dogs

The FDA has received 149 reports of itching in dogs after Lyme Vaccine. That is 2.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.3% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

149Reports

52%Marked serious

40%Recovered

5.4%Died or euthanised

1 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

70 50%

1–2 days

20 14%

3–7 days

11 7.9%

1–4 weeks

13 9.3%

Over a month

26 19%

How the animals did

Recovered

59 40%

Still unwell when reported

53 36%

Died

3 2.0%

Euthanised

5 3.4%

Not known

29 19%

Problems reported at the same time

52 35%

45 30%

45 30%

27 18%

22 15%

20 13%

Skin rash or irritation

17 11%

Loss of appetite

16 11%

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 itching in dogs?: 149 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 1 day 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).

Itching with similar medicines

Itching after Rabies Vaccine 808 reports · 8.2% of its reports
Itching after Bordetella Vaccine 673 reports · 7.2% of its reports
Itching after Leptospirosis Vaccine 524 reports · 6.5% of its reports
Itching after Distemper-parvo Vaccine 470 reports · 7.3% of its reports

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