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Originally Posted by oneofakind864  I Have to respectfully disagree with Ladyjane who said the rabies amount cannot be adjusted. We have moved several times in the last 12 years and the 5 different vets who dealt with my yorkie during her life agreed that the initial dosage "Should" have been cut in half and indicated they frequently do this for tiny dogs. None of them mentioned cutting the dosage would hinder the effectiveness of the vaccination. And it only makes sense. How in the world could a 3 lb dog ( fully grown) require the same dosage as a 50lb (or larger dog)? If you like I will be happy to provide their contact information to Izzy's owner- they are located in San Carlos CA, Daly City CA, San Jose CA and SC. The 5th one is retired.
It is a personal decision- but for me, the well being of my dog came first no matter what the city ordinances and law said. And when the vet at the animal hospital in San Carlos told me what he had seen happen in prior cases with tiny dogs like mine losing hair in spots all over their bodies and in some cases- damaging their overall immune system, we came to the mutual decision that what was best "in my case", given that my dog was never going to be outside when not on a leash right next to me, that the best thing would be not to administer additional rabies vaccinations. And yeah- I DID have to fight with the city when they sent me the form requesting that I show proof that my dog was immunized. I sent them the letter from the vet stating that it was dangerous to her health to administer the shot. Their bureaucratic system kept trying to tell me "It was the law" (When they obviously didn't give a damn if it would have hurt her) I finally ended up telling them she died ( Evil grin- due to complications with the rabies vaccination and I called them a few choice names!) and that was the end of it. And she lived another 11 years ( In 4 different Cities) with no rabies vaccination. I even flew with her dozens of times. All you need is the health certificate from the vet stating she is up to date on her vaccines and is healthy. She WAS "Up to date" on all the ones the vets thought she needed.
Before you tell me I got a bad vet...During Chanel's lifetime, she had 6 vets. Out of the 6- FIVE of them all agreed that it was in her best interest NOT to give the rabies vaccination. The only one who didn't agree was the first one who gave her the shot that caused the reaction. In fact the first question I brought up with a prospective new vet ( once I ascertained their experience with dogs that weighed 4 pounds or under) was Chanel's reaction to the rabies vaccination. If they had less than 3 other dogs that were tiny I passed, and not a single one said "The LAW demands that I immunize your dog for rabies" They were all concerned, as they should be, with her health first and foremost. And I'm not suggesting that LadyJanes vet ( or any other vet) who insists on giving the full dose of rabies to ALL dogs no exceptions are wrong or might not have the dogs best interests at heart. NOT AT ALL! I am suggesting perhaps that they may not have as much information and experience with the problems that can arise from it as other vets. Remember out of SIX...five thought the option to split the initial dose was optimal..and FIVE agreed that in my particular case it was too dangerous to give at all.
TO be honest...if something can hurt my baby- it won't be allowed to come near her.. And, "FOR ME" the rabies vaccination showed that it caused a bad reaction "In MY dog". If I have to choose between sticking to the letter of the law or possibly compromising my little girls immune system....Frankly I don't give a crap what the "Law" says. And remember FIVE different vets located in multiple states all agreed it was best for her not to be given any further Rabies and they wrote letters I kept with me when traveling to that effect. THey also ALL agreed the dogs health is the bottom line rather than sticking to the letter of the " Law" ****GRANTED-this was for my specific case with a super tiny fragile little 3lb girl. If you have a 6 or 7lb dog that will be outdoors a lot- especially unsupervised, then this might not be the best decision for you. The risk of rabies or an altercation could outweigh the possible danger of the vaccine. But again " For ME" my dog weighed 3 pounds. The animals she was allowed to come in contact with were CAREFULLY restricted during her entire lifetime. And should you choose NOT to give the rabies vaccination- then it will fall on you to ensure that your dog is never unsupervised ( EVEN IN YOUR OWN YARD), Never allowed near an unfamiliar dog to possibly get into an altercation, and certainly never allowed near any animal possibly infected with rabies. It is a big responsibility. And Izzy's owner needs to weigh the lifestyle she imagines for her little one to make the best decision for Izzy. But she does need to be aware that the lump " COULD" be something potentially dangerous and should not be ignored. ALso if Izzy is competing in shows-she will definitely have to have the vaccine- but I would at least split the dose given the reaction she has had to the first shot.
Chanel's lump stuck around for weeks if I remember correctly- it might even have been a month or two. Then as the lump went down- her hair started coming out and she began scratching ( but only in that spot). I took her back to the vet and he tested her and the demodectic(sp?) mange turned up to be responsible. He explained that all dogs have the little mange mites on them all the time- but it only is a problem when their immune system stops doing it's work as Chanel's apparently had in the spot of the rabies vaccination. Her hair never grew back..and after a month or two of the mange cream- she stopped scratching. I guess her immune system rebooted- thank god!
But like I said...I don't mean to say LadyJane is not correct.The scenarios she listed ARE possibilities should you choose not to vaccinate. But the bottom line is you have to choose what is best for Izzy based on her size, is she going to be in contact with unfamiliar dogs and/or possibly animals infected with rabies, will she be allowed to play outside unsupervised, and will your vet agree to write a letter endorsing your choice should you choose against the vaccine. I definitely would recommend talking to other vets in your area about the problem and seeing what they say and I would cover my tail as far as the law is concerned by making sure that the vet will provide documentation supporting your final decision. If your current vet won't - then I'd find one who is familiar with the problem and who will either agree to split the dose or support NOT giving it at all. As a pet owner it is on you to decide what is best for your dog. And that might not always mean adhering to the law.
And Again..Lady Jane please don't be offended. I am only telling what happened in my specific case. I did what I thought was best for my dog based on what the vets I was going to advised me to do for " Chanel". And I wanted Izzy's momma to be aware that not everything is so black and white. She needs to weigh the risks of not giving the vaccine or splitting the dose and the scenarios you listed CAN happen. But-Personalized advice from a knowledgeable and trusted vet for each specific case is always better than the uncompromising letter of the law which makes no exceptions. And each of us have to follow our hearts and do what we believe is best for our fur babies based on all the information we can accrue. |
I am not offended. I simply believe that you are terribly misinformed. You say that five vets informed you that doing something against the law is ok? giving less than is called for IS illegal. Pretty hard for me to believe but I won't sit here arguing with you about it.
Yes, there are scenarios where vaccines cannot be given and there is such a thing as a waiver in those cases.
Back to this lump on the hip: Again I say that I believe it is perfectly normal and will disappear in time.
Vomiting here and there can be due to anything....just because a pup happens to get a vaccine does not mean it is the vaccine...too many variables.