You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

Arthritis occasionally occurs following vaccination , but it is rare and usually resolves within a few days

When a vaccine is given to an animal it stimulates an immune reaction and the production of antibodies. Just occasionally this immune response causes inflammation in the animals' joints. The result is stiffness and swelling of the joints (more than one) which usually lasts 2-3 days and gets better without treatment. This type of reaction most often occurs after the first vaccine, but it can occur following a booster vaccine. Very occasionally a badly affected individual might require treatment to reduce the inflammation.This is most commonly seen after calcivirus vaccine eg Feline calicivirus, or Viral Haemorrhagic Disease of rabbits , and it is called "limping syndrome". 

Such a reaction is an adverse reaction to the vaccine which should be reported by your veterinarian. So if your animal shows any signs in the few days following a vaccination make sure that you let your veterinarian know as soon as possible. Of course, it is always difficult to be sure whether signs that occur after a vaccine are due to the vaccination or just coincidental. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you should such a situation arise.

Updated October 2013