Immunization, so called vaccination, are performed to stimulate the immune system in an attempt to protect the animal against the infectious agent. In fact, this kind of stimulation may result with some minor symptoms such as soreness at the site of injection, mild fever and allergic reactions
10.
Adverse reactions in association with animal vaccination has been studied over the past years. Suspected adverse reactions against vaccines have been recognized as inflammatoric, allergic, autoimmune or neoplastic diseases11. Vaccine related side effects including angioedema in dogs have previously been discussed by several studies5-8. Adverse toxic reactions to parvovirus vaccines8 included angioedema of the nose, ears and eyes8. Allergic reactions occuring against vaccines frequently constitutes the skin, and systemic symptoms such as urticaria/ angioedema, serum sickness and eczema or localized site reactions may be noticed12. In a previous case series angioedema and urticaria was reported in two Great dane dogs following inactive vaccination against M. canis13. In line with previous reports the present puppy was diagnosed to have an angioedema attack following parvoviral vaccination, by possible excluding of all other unremarkable differentials.
Adverse reactions in association with animal vaccination has been studied over the past years. Suspected adverse reactions against vaccines have been recognized as inflammatoric, allergic, autoimmune or neoplastic diseases11. Vaccine related side effects including angioedema in dogs have previously been discussed by several studies5-8. Adverse toxic reactions to parvovirus vaccines8 included angioedema of the nose, ears and eyes8. Allergic reactions occuring against vaccines frequently constitutes the skin, and systemic symptoms such as urticaria/ angioedema, serum sickness and eczema or localized site reactions may be noticed12. In a previous case series angioedema and urticaria was reported in two Great dane dogs following inactive vaccination against M. canis13. In line with previous reports the present puppy was diagnosed to have an angioedema attack following parvoviral vaccination, by possible excluding of all other unremarkable differentials.
In allergic reactions including urticaria and angioedema, histamines play an important role as by causing vasodilatation and increased vascular permeability4. Therefore the primary indication for antihistamine therapy in angioedema must be the treatment of dermal edema, that is clinically presented as swelling4,14. In addition due to the risk and side effects of prolonged use of glucocorticoid therapy, antihistamines are preferred by veterinarians in an attempt to avoid or reduce the necessary doses of glucocorticoids15. The development of a group of second generation antihistamines, with non-sedative effects, has aroused interest in the application of those drugs for treatment of various human disorders16 and for dogs with atopic dermatitis17. Cetirizine has been effectively used in a human angioedema case18. In aggreement with previous reports, in the present case cetirizine was effective and clinical remisison was achieved with a short term usage. Although only 1 case was presented in this article and it is unwise to draw conclusions, the present authors suggest that cetirizine in conjunction with dexamethasone was completely effective for releiving acute angioedema.