• Rabies vaccinations can cause complications in some dogs.Two Dogs image by ziggyhendry from Fotolia.com
  
  Most states require dogs to be vaccinated against rabies from any time between the dog's first eight weeks to six months of life. Rabies is a severe neurological disorder that can be spread to humans through a dog's saliva when it bites. While rabies immunization is important both legally and for the health of your pet, there are complications to be aware of that can arise from the the vaccination process.
  
  

Allergic Reaction

• The rabies vaccination is given by injection and some dogs can experience a severe allergic reaction. The reaction may not be prevalent until several weeks after the injection was administered. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include swelling in the face, watery eyes, trouble breathing and vomiting. If these symptoms occur, the dog must be take to a vet immediately. The condition could be fatal if not treated quickly.
  
  

Fibrosarcoma.

• Fibrosarcoma is a cancerous tumor that can appear on the injection site of the rabies vaccine. The tumor is often malignant and can spread to other organs in the body. This can occur months after the injection was given. Veterinarian Melissa Kennedy has said that small dogs are at greater risk for this condition and that the likely cause is a hyperactive immune response to what the dog's body perceives to be a foreign invader. The resulting inflammation evolves into a full tumor that needs diagnosis and removal.
  
  

Paralysis

• Some dogs experience partial paralysis shortly after receiving rabies vaccinations. The paralysis can affect a specific limb or, in the event of brain inflammation, the entire body. This is caused by the dog's immune system attacking the nervous system in response to the vaccine and can result in rabies-like systems. This is more likely to happen with the live-virus vaccine and has not been reported with the killed or inactivated-virus vaccine.