Let's NOT Do That Again!

Oh. My. Goodness. Gracious. Y'all.  What a week.  It was a rough one.  And I know it wasn't even close to what some of you were dealing with. (I see you, Texas!)  

I had plans for a fun little "Pancake Day" post last Tuesday. I was going to give you a brief history of the day and even share my favorite simple pancake recipe. The post wasn't quite ready on Monday evening, so I thought I would just wrap it up and publish it as soon as I got home from taking Max to the veterinarian for his check-up the next day.  Unfortunately, that didn't happen.

Tuesday started out nice enough.  I got up, showered, dressed, put on makeup.  My Tuesday morning Zoom for online Bible study was canceled (the leader lives in Texas and had no power) so I had a little downtime before heading to the vet office.  Max had a great checkup, received three vaccines, and we headed home

Once we were home, things took a turn.  Poor little Max started vomiting.  Then he walked into the dining room, laid down on the floor, and just stayed there.  When I spoke to him, he didn't even pick his head up - just looked at me.  A quick call to the veterinarian and we were on our way back to his office.  He was having an allergic reaction to one of his vaccines! They gave him a Benedryl shot and kept him for the afternoon to monitor him. 

Around dinner time they called to say I could pick him up since his vitals were good and he had rested comfortably that afternoon.  When we got home, he threw up a little more almost as soon as we got out of the car.  Then he started breaking out in hives, shaking his head repeatedly and rolling on the floor - clearly itchy.  I didn't realize it at the time, but he apparently also had some swelling around his eyelids and face.  Another phone call and we were on our way to the emergency vet.  

 

The ER veterinarian gave Max a steroid shot.  Another for nausea.  And sent him home with a round of oral steroids and directions for oral doses of Benedryl.  He slept well that night.  (At least one of us did.  I was wide awake every time he made a sigh or moved in his sleep)  

 Next day, he seemed to be feeling better.  He did sleep more than usual - probably a result of the medications he was taking.  When he wanted to play, he showed little to no interest in wrestling with his brother - which is normally his favorite activity.  When I thought about that, I realized he was probably sore.  If you were keeping count, you realize that the poor little guy had SIX shots the day before!  

Fortunately, Max is back to his usual silly, mischievous self.  He's done with the Benedryl and is slowly tapering off the steroids this week. 

I'm not sure what this means for vaccines in the future.  I certainly don't ever want to have to go through that sort of experience again.  Especially if there is a risk that it might be even worse the next time around.  I suppose that is a conversation that will have to be had with his doctor.  

Have any of your pets ever had an adverse reaction to a vaccine or other medication?

That's What They Say

I got my flu shot this past Friday.  Yeah.  Bravo.  Big pat on the Back for the Queen B.

I haven't gotten a flu shot in years.  Not since they convinced me to get one, despite my fears and misgivings.  And wouldn't you just know it.. that February a case of influenza knocked me right out.  Which infuriated me.  I got the shot and still had a raging case of the flu?  Well, that won't happen again!  And I've been boycotting the shot ever since.

But this year, the Man of the House and I made the decision that we and the Little Man will get the shots.  Seems like a good preventative move, with the Princess's Tadpole due in the middle of flu season.  Got to do what we can to help keep him healthy.  So, when they made the yearly offering at work - I filled out the paper work and got into line.  I gritted my teeth, fought down the mild panic attack that occurs each time I think about a needle piercing my skin, bared my arm and offered it up to the nurse administering the vaccine.

I know what they say.  You can't get sick from the flu.  It's made with dead virus.  And the logical part of my brain believes it.  But there's still that other part of my brain.  The part that boycotted the shot after managing to get the flu despite having the vaccine.  The irrational part of my brain.  Or maybe it's not my brain.  Maybe it's the stuffiness in my head making me think otherwise.  Or my sore throat.  Or lack of oxygen to the brain from the coughing.  Maybe...

And it's most likely a coincidence that almost everyone in the office that received the vaccine last Friday is complaining of the same symptoms.  The more likely scenario is that someone else in our staff meeting that same day was either sick or getting sick and shared the germies with the rest of us. 

Because you can't get sick from the flu vaccine.  That's what they say...