Our miniature pinscher

Question
Our miniature pinscher is 16 months old.  A couple of months ago he was diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease after his intestines folded in on itself.  He had surgery to correct his intestines and we've changed his diet.  Last week, he had an update on his vaccinations and had a severe allergic reaction.  He was very swollen and was given benadryl and steroids.  The swelling was completely gone within a couple of days.  Within the last few days he has a developed a lump on his side that has gotten bigger and feels hard.  Could this be related to the allergic reaction from his shots?  We're concerned that it might be something serious but we are having a lot of trouble paying for his medical expenses since we don't have much money to start with, and we have a toddler and a baby on the way.  Any advice would be helpful.

Answer
Hi Kelly!
It would be common for this area to be swollen after an allergic reaction to vaccines, due to the fact that this is most likely the place where one of the vaccines were given.
If this lump is on his side, up toward his shoulder blade or on his side, toward his hind end, then this most likely is the cause.  This lump should probably be around for a few weeks, but it should begin shrinking from this point on.  If it does continue to grow, a vet visit is a must, and due to the fact that it's from the vaccines, you should not be charged full price.  You can try warm compresses on the area for 5 minutes, twice per day.  That seems to help alot.
For future vaccines...
The DHLPPC vaccination is the distemper booster.  The "L" in the vaccine stands for Leptosporosis.  Dogs most commonly have a reaction to the Leptosporosis part of the vaccine.  You can ask your veterinarian for the Lepto-Free vaccine, which does not include the Leptosporosis.  It is your choice then if you want him to have the separate Leptosporosis vaccination the following week.  
You can also ask your veterinarian to break the vaccines up.  Have him administer one vaccine every other week until he has gotten all his vaccinations. You can also give him benadryl or have your veterinarian give him a diphenhydramine injection before vaccinations to avoid a reaction.
As for now, I wouldn't be too concerned.  It sounds as though the area is just inflamed from receiving his vaccinations, in which he was allergic to!
I hope this helps,
Hilary