Schatzie:
Sorry to hear about Half Pint. Would it help to tell the story here? I am curious if you have any advice for people after your experience that might help prevent a similar tragedy for someone else.
Chai had her rabies in Texas at 15 weeks and when I took her to the vet here, they wanted to repeat it because, under California law, they cannot have it until 4 months. I refused, and the vet was not at all understanding. She said I was breaking the law, etc and that if my baby bit someone they would destroy her. I just carry her tags from Texas with me as I carry Hefners. The tags are too big for them to wear. LOL
It is not true that they will destroy the dog if it's not vaccinated either. The dog may be quarantined to test it for rabies, but if it does not have rabies, it will not be euthanized. I did research it and called the animal control here and there is actually a way to get a "waiver" from the rabies shot law if your vet writes on his letterhead that the dog had a previous allergic reaction and it would be hazardous to your dog's health to have it again. You might ask your vet to do that for Linus. I would research the most recent reports of rabies in your area too. The law here only requires a rabies every THREE years so two years is over kill in my opinion. What does your state require.
Another option is to get a titre test to determine the levels of the vaccine after three years and if they are sufficient then no additional vaccine is required. In other word the dog still has enough immunity without another vaccination. You can do this with any vaccine I believe.
Vets are in favor of lots of vaccines because it is their bread and butter do to speak. |