Vacciation Controversy

[SoCalyorkiLvr]

Originally Posted by eyedoc

Kim, I can understand it being upsetting to you that someone would threaten to put your non rabies vaccinated dog down if it bit someone but I don't know if you are aware that there is no "test" for rabies...at least not on live animals. Not to be graphic but the way you "test" for rabies is to cut the head of the suspected animal off and send it to have the brain tissue tested.

They do not do that if a dog bites someone however. They simply quarantine it and wait the necessary period of time for any rabies symptoms to appear. In fact all biters are quarantined whether there is proof of rabies vaccine or not because the vaccine doesn't always work. The quarNTINE IS IN YOUR HOME.

You were not actually trying to scare people here into thinking that might happen to their dog if they don't get the rabies vaccine were you? If so .....that is absolutely false!

[txshopper73]

Originally Posted by eyedoc

Isn't that great apre meal conversation?? ( I just had dinner too!!)

hehehe!

[txshopper73]

Originally Posted by SoCalyorkiLvr

The quarNTINE IS IN YOUR HOME.

Maybe in Cali but here, they are taken to a facility run by the county or vets to be watched.

[SoCalyorkiLvr]

Originally Posted by txshopper73

Maybe in Cali but here, they are taken to a facility run by the county or vets to be watched.

Do you have a citation for that ordinance so I can read the language?

[txshopper73]

No, Kim, I don't. I did however work at a humane society where they had a place that kept the dogs that had bit people...kept them for 7 days...so i'm speaking from experience.

we also had a place to keep cats that bit people, too. geesh!

[txshopper73]

here if you want something to read!!!!!

http://www.tdh.state.tx.us/ZOONOSIS/animcont/ACO%20Manual/LEG82603.pdf#search='texas%20dog%20quarantine%20la ws'

can't get the link to work...i'll e-mail the pdf to you

[txshopper73]

just e-mailed it to you

[SoCalyorkiLvr]

Thank you Kimberley. I read it.

There are the facilities you described but they are not the first option.

It states that an animal that bit someone may be quarantined at home if it can be kept in a confined area, it can be checked by a vet on the first and last day of the quarantine period, it was not a stay when it bit, and definitley if it is under 4 months of age and hasn't had a rabies vaccine. The other option is to have it quarantined at the vet's office. These are all first options before the animal would be quarantined in a state facility.

So, while it is possible, it is the third and last alternative for quarantine and most occur in the home or the vets office, especially when it involves a small dog like a yorkie who is easily confined.

[txshopper73]

my dad got bit by an akle biter years ago when he went to use a phone to report a house fire. Animal control came and picked up the dog and kept it for 7 days. could be that it's different in different counties.

[MeganS]

Originally Posted by txshopper73

No, Kim, I don't. I did however work at a humane society where they had a place that kept the dogs that had bit people...kept them for 7 days...so i'm speaking from experience.

we also had a place to keep cats that bit people, too. geesh!

same way here. only if its a serious bite. a lot of places do that. i think its a great idea.

[MeganS]

Originally Posted by MeganS

same way here. only if its a serious bite. a lot of places do that. i think its a great idea.

i wanted to add, kim, that everything isn't the same as it is in california.

[SoCalyorkiLvr]

Originally Posted by MeganS

i wanted to add, kim, that everything isn't the same as it is in california.

Of course not Megan.

Most of the statistics and laws I cite I explain whether it is a state law, a federal law or a local county or city ordinance and which laws take precedence over others. For example. the service dog law is a federal law so it takes precedence and controls over any state or local law or ordinance. Even the county law says "no dogs allowed" it isn't the controlling law becuase the federal law overrides it.

For example, Texas only requires a rabies vaccine every three years while all but two other states that require a rabies vaccine require them annually. So the question is, if texas knows the vaccine is good for three years, why do other states stay with the one year schedule and the answet is that the veterinarian and drug company lobbies are stronger in other states...in other words it's poilitcal and tied to people's pocketbooks and usually wealthy people.

[txshopper73]

Originally Posted by SoCalyorkiLvr

For example, Texas only requires a rabies vaccine every three years while all but two other states that require a rabies vaccine require them annually. So the question is, if texas knows the vaccine is good for three years, why do other states stay with the one year schedule and the answet is that the veterinarian and drug company lobbies are stronger in other states...in other words it's poilitcal and tied to people's pocketbooks and usually wealthy people.

It use to be annually here but I'm thinking 1-2 years ago, they changed it to every 3. The dog received 2 rabies shots a year apart then it's every 3 years after that.

[yorkiegold]

First, thanks for discussing this. I'm too tired to get into all of the research I've done and the issues I think are involved, but it is important to know that all of these questions are being researched, and there are new protocols being devised constantly.

We show our dogs and they are exposed to other dogs who travel and I consider their risk very high. It may also be that because most show dogs are vaccinated against everything on an accelerated schedule that they shed some protection to the unvaccinated.

I think Kim's point that this is something that each dog owner needs to research and discuss with his/her vet is the main objective and the most valuable. I talked with my vet and he says that even though research indicates that far fewer vaccinations are required than previously thought, most of his clients are not comfortable with that and opt for the 6-8-10 week puppy combos and annual vaccinations. This works most of the time, but we have found a particular sensitivity in our Yorkies to leptosporosis, for instance, and we don't vaccinate for it - even the show dogs. It's a risk, but as time passes, I am more and more comfortable. You need to assess your own dog's immune system, your region of the country, diseases prevalent in your area, your dog's age (we don't give anything but rabies that's required by law after 7 years of age) and your own comfort level. I think one of the most important safeguards, though, is to keep your young puppies away from possible exposure until 3-4 weeks after their last distemper/parvo series.

Thanks again for this important discussion.

CJ

[SoCalyorkiLvr]

Thanks CJ for your insights from a showbreeder's perspective.