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Originally Posted by 107barney  This is not true in all states. Rabies doesn't have waivers in all states. Here if you are one day over a rabies shot and your dog bites someone your dog will be quarantined in the state shelter. That's not something I ever want for my dogs. |
This is why in general I would never skimp on rabies. Jackson will get it every 3 years as per the law. I hope the law will extend to every 5years as I truly don't feel it's necessary every 3 but I follow the law for this reason. The chance that he would bite someone is very low, but I just don't take a chance.
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Originally Posted by megansmomma Did you read the link that I posted? The last paragraph addresses exceptions. Additionally, I live in a suburb of Chicago and there have been rabid animals very near me. Why anyone would take a chance with vaccinating their animals against rabies is just beyond me. My sister who lives about 1.5 miles from me had 2 bats in her home. They think that the bats entered through a vent.  Their dog was going crazy trying to catch it while my BIL was also trying to capture the time. There have been rabid bats found in her neighborhood. My other sister who also lives in the area had just come home with her puppy who only had 1 round of vaccines and they had a raccoon on their roof. Their neighbor does wild life rescue who came down to assist with the raccoon that was now running around the roof. The first thing she told me sister was to put the puppy inside because she could tell by the condition of the animal that it was infected with Distemper and Bella was not fully vaccinated. Both the stories prove to me that vaccinating our dogs against these diseases are very important. Not doing so is IMO is just as irresponsible as not properly vaccinating your children against childhood diseases. Current New York State Rabies Data |
Technically speaking I believe that the rabies vaccine that Jackson had at 6 months and 1 year old would still be protecting him from the disease today at 5 1/2 yrs old. But as I said above, getting it every 3 years is what I will do for the reasons Cathy stated. But I don't really believe that by getting every year or every 3 years gives 'more' protection. I don't think anyone is saying NOT to give the vaccines at all. Jackson's last DHPP vaccines were at 1 year old. He's 5 1/2. I doubt I'll ever get them again.
To the OP, how old is your dog? If she's had more than 3 rabies vaccines in her life, I am sure she is protected. And IF it is as you say and she never steps foot outside (which is kind of sad, IMO) and you never have guests over that she could potentially bite, then I would say to just discontinue personally.