Rabies vaccination at 4 months

[candigirl]

I just got back from the vet with Lexie, i thought she would be getting her last set of shots today and then rabies vaccination later on but the vet told me he legally had to give her the rabies now, but that he would split it since she's tiny and give her the last shots in a week. I see it posted on here a lot that people wait to get the rabies till 6 months, is it ok that she got it at 4 and are there any risks with that? She also threw up in the car on her way back home and then when i let her out was breathing in and out really fast like she was trying to get something out of her nose.. Now shes on the floor beside me sleeping. They say that being tired/sleepy is normal and i called when i got home they said she might be queezy which is also normal, am i just being paranoid

[Pam 19]

I took Teppi to the vet today & she just turned 4mo. old. She went a couple of weeks ago to get the rest of her other shots but he wanted to wait a couple of weeks to give the rabies because he didn't want her to get too much of something that was in the shots. He said she's good to go for a year unless something comes up. He said he always gave rabies @ 4mo. but that some other vets & breeders that give their own shots do different. So far Teppi has been fine. Maybe your baby had a slight reaction to the med. or maybe it wasn't the med. @ all that made her sick. Just a one time thing that just happened. Teppi only weighs 3.5lbs. So she's pretty small too. If your baby gets sick again or starts breathing funny again I would definitely call an Emergency Vet Clinic or if you don't have one near call 911. They're suppose to help you too from what I've read in an emergency situation. I wouldn't wait till morning. I hope your baby does well through the night & has no more problems. Please keep us posted. Pam & Teppi

[tommysgirl789]

I don't know the answer but isn't it the right of the dog owner to refuse any treatment if they choose? I got Harley's shot at 6 months but never felt pressured by our vet. They have always split the vaccines because that is what I requested since he was small. Hope someone more experienced can give you a good answer.

[qnsryker]

My vet also split the last set of shots into 2 visits. One was a shot and an inhalant and a couple days later another shot. This was all at 4 months.

[Ladymom]

Here in the US when rabies vaccinations are required is dictated by state law, sometimes by county law. While six months is ideal, we really don't have much of a choice. Many states require them by four months.

This looks like a good explanation of the rabies law in your province:

SiriusDog.com - Rabies Immunization for Dogs

[candigirl]

Thanks everyone I guess I just wanted to know if it's the norm but I see it is in my area at least. Lexie was fine after she ate dinner, she got some rest then was back to her mischevous self again thank god. Lexie weighs 3.4lbs these little ones can really scare us sometimes

[tommysgirl789]

Glad she is back to herself again

[bellababy08]

Its the law here in Florida as well...they have to have the rabies shot by 4 mos...I have a 18 week old Harley, he is 3.5 lbs and he just got his rabies 1/22/11...He was a little sore in the injection area that day and slept most of the day but the next morning he was back to his playful self and getting into trouble again I try not to worry to much I knew it was normal but I did take his temp every few hours just to be on the safe side and to help the soreness I massage it lightly every few hours as well.

[Deuce]

How do they get to mandate that pet owners have to do anything with their pets? It's like mandating that all kids must recieve the flu vaccine. Could you imagine the outrage that would cause if all parents were told that their kids needed to recieve every vaccine that the state decided was necessary.
It would almost make me want to avoid the vet during the 4-6 month mark just to avoid being forced to give the dog the rabies vaccine. Honestly, how likely is it that my 4 month, 3-5 lb puppy will survive a rabies infected animal attack? Or for that matter get away from me to a point of getting infected by this not so common disease...at least it's uncommon in cities as far as I know. I don't think I've heard any recent "mass rabies outbreak" in any areas...
Sorry, guess I sort of ranted away, it just bothers me that they take choices away from pet owners and leave it up to a small group of people who are unconcerned with pet owners rights. Gah!

[bellababy08]

Originally Posted by Deuce

How do they get to mandate that pet owners have to do anything with their pets? It's like mandating that all kids must recieve the flu vaccine. Could you imagine the outrage that would cause if all parents were told that their kids needed to recieve every vaccine that the state decided was necessary.
It would almost make me want to avoid the vet during the 4-6 month mark just to avoid being forced to give the dog the rabies vaccine. Honestly, how likely is it that my 4 month, 3-5 lb puppy will survive a rabies infected animal attack? Or for that matter get away from me to a point of getting infected by this not so common disease...at least it's uncommon in cities as far as I know. I don't think I've heard any recent "mass rabies outbreak" in any areas...
Sorry, guess I sort of ranted away, it just bothers me that they take choices away from pet owners and leave it up to a small group of people who are unconcerned with pet owners rights. Gah!

Rabies out break is very common here in Florida and in the cities...We live right in the city and its nothing to see a raccoon or wild hogs, possum or armadillos running around or even in you own back yard that is fenced and the rodents are big carriers of the rabies as well...so its better safe than sorry.

[Pam 19]

Hey Candigirl: I am so hapy to hear your baby is back to her normal self. Teppi was sick a couple of different nights & I got no sleep worrying about her. I was afraid to take my eyes off her or my hand from her side while she slept (checking breathing). Glad everything worked out. Teppi also slept for a while yesterday after her rabies vac. I'm not as experienced as a vet but I was a nurse for 26 years & I know that certain things need to be done @ certain times, even for animals. If a your Dr. said you needed to get the Hep. B series of injections to be vaccinated would you take their word or just do what you thought best? Maybe @ a different age? Even though there are millions of people out there working, doing their own thing that you come in contact with EVERYDAY that have Hep. B &/or C that are not showing symptoms, yet. That's just like taking a chance that you won't come in contact with a sick animal while walking your baby or just being around other animals (ex. vet's office) that are sick & not showing symptoms yet. Rabies doesn't show symptoms immediately. But it doesn't mean that if an animal with rabies not showing symptoms bit your baby it wouldn't get rabies if it hadn't been vaccinated. Rabies may not be running wild but you can't guarantee that you won't run in to it somewhere. Some animals in cities do have to be put down because of rabies. What if your baby did survive the attack. Then because of putting off their vac. you put them through the horrible sickness, injections, pain long term until they either survive or death? Do you want to take that chance? I guess that's where personal preference comes into play. The posting from Ladymom is just right for this. There are laws requiring vacs. to be given @ a certain ages for different states & counties. The same goes for children. You choose not to get their vacs. you're taking the same chances with their lives. But that's also a personal preference. If a vet chooses not to follow the guidelines because someone doesn't want the vacs. done @ that age or for whatever reason then if he's doing his job right he's also documenting in your babies' file that you refuse to have it done to keep from being held accountable or sued. If he let's it slide till later when you're ready with no documentation then he's not doing his job @ all. These little babies love & adore you all & should be treated with the same love & adoration they deserve. That means keeping them happy, healthy & safe. This has all been about taking chances, whether you decide to or not is up to you. But the babies don't deserve to have to live or not with chances taken. A person taking these chances until they are ready to do what should have already been done is also taking a chance that their baby won't get very sick while waiting for the right time. This is not meant directly @ you Candigirl. You did the right thing. I know you were worried & I am very glad it's over. Sorry if I'm ranting. Just stating facts, about our babies, children & people in general. Pam & Teppi

[bellababy08]

Originally Posted by bellababy08

Rabies out break is very common here in Florida and in the cities...We live right in the city and its nothing to see a raccoon or wild hogs, possum or armadillos running around or even in you own back yard that is fenced and the rodents are big carriers of the rabies as well...so its better safe than sorry.

And where I live you have to have your pets Reg. with the city, you can only have 4 or 5 pets I'm not sure which living in your home...you have to have the rabies shot at 4 mos than again in 1 year than its every 3 years after than if you don't get the rabies the City can fine you up too 500.00...its crazy I know but its the law if you wanna live within the city limits...there are a few cities here in Florida that have outlawed the Pitbull dog, not allowed to own them in the city limits.

[candigirl]

@Pam- i agree you really can't take chances with them when they mean so much to us. I know now i did right by Lexie and when the vet told me he had to give her the vaccination i wasn't about to refuse because i trust him and he knows better than me whats best for Lexie in that department. I'm glad Teppi is feeling well, she's the same age and weight as Lexie so that gives me piece of mind. I want to start socializing her with other dogs which the vet said is ok but i'd rather wait till all her shots are complete, did you socialize Teppi before then?

[kjc]

States and counties set the age required to get the Rabies vaccine according to the number of reported cases in that specific area. Where Rabies occurs more frequently, the age of Rabies vaccination is younger than areas that have lesser number of reported cases.

The reason the Rabies Vaccine is required by law, is the fact that it is a zoonotic disease. This means that humans can also become infected, and because it is deadly if left untreated.

A person or a pet does not have to come in direct contact with a Rabid animal in order to contract the disease. It is spread through bodily fluids, when these fluids get into a wound or a scratch, the person or pet can become infected with the disease.

So if a rabid squirrel picks up a nut in your lawn, then drops it and runs off, then you let your dog out in the yard, and he finds this nut and licks it, he may come down with Rabies. Or if he rolls on the nut while the squirrel's saliva is still wet, and he comes up to you and you pick him up and pet him and happen to come in contact with the saliva, then you rub your eye, or nose or mouth with your hand, you could become infected.

[Pam 19]

Hey candigirl: Sorry I'm just now getting back to you. My daughter Jessica (age 19) & I are apartment hunting so I've been pretty busy the past few days. How's your baby? I hope she's doing fine. Teppi is her usual spitfire self, finding new & better things to get into. lol As far as socializing Teppi. When I brought her home (for right now anyway) there's my Mom, Daughter & my Mom's poodle who is always up to date on everything he needs. Very spoiled. But my theory is, if you love them they're suppose to be spoiled. But that's just me. She never socialized her poodle with other dogs so it causes a little bit of a problem here. He & Teppi can't be out running around together because of that. But he's allowed to sniff her & she him as long as we're holding them. I can't wait to get my own home again. I got Teppi when she was 8wks old & weighed 2lbs. Her breeder had been giving her shots himself so he had it marked down on her vet record what he gave her & he actually had her down to get more shots @ 3 other times after the ones she just got @ her vet. That goes back to different breeders & mayby even vets give what they think they need. Teppi's vet looked over what he had given her & said she didn't need anymore shots after what he gave a couple of weeks ago & the rabies the other day for a year (rabies). I asked him a couple of weeks ago if I could start taking her out around other people, places. He said there shouldn't be a problem with that. He also laughed & said that Yorkies are alot tougher little dogs than most people give them credit for. Is your baby not finished with her shots? If not, what else does she have to get? I would have thought when she got her rabies she'd be through. I trust Teppi's vet & if you trust yours like you said & he said it'd be fine to start socializing Lexie I'd do it. If he said she needs more shots I'd call & find out what they are. I'm just a little curious myself. One thing I don't & will never do is let Teppi walk around on the floor anywhere in the vet's office. I always hold her & always will. Animals come there for different reasons. Some because they're really sick & it may be something our babies aren't vac. against. You really need to start socializing her with people, animals, different noises, everything you can think of because right now & before she's learning. The more she learns & gets use to the more well adjusted baby she'll be. Just make sure your vet says all this is OK for you to start doing. I take Teppi everywhere I go that I possibly can. The only places so far she hasn't been is food places, Wal-Mart & my Dr.'s office & she wants me to figure out a way to sneak her in there. lol & I would if I could. I'm just afraid the nurse that knows me will get too nosey. lol Let me know how things go. I'm interested to hear about the shots. Since our babies are the same age, weight & going through all this same stuff keep in touch. I'd send you a friendship request but for some reason alot of my stuff on YT has been messed up the past few days. I can't send out a request, but I can receive one. I know that because another lady & I went through all that. Admin. keeps saying that they might be having trouble with their mail server. Since I started taking Teppi with me everywhere she's been fine & she loves it. She's gotten use to going to the bank for 1 place & she knows where we are when we pull up in the parking lot. I always take her in & everybody loves her & has to come pet her or hold her. She gets so excited! You'll see when you start taking Lexie places. EVERYBODY loves little Yorkies. Why wouldn't they? They are wonderfull companions. Hope to hear from you soon. Pam & Teppi