Reaction to rabies shot

[lexi43]

Our two Basset Hounds had a very bad reaction to the rabies shots and they are now are the the exemption list. Our little ones did fine on them but we almost lost both our hounds in one day. Anyway I never intend to put them through that again. My friend's shih tzu almost dies from the shots also. She is also on the exemtion list.

[RileyDC]

Glad your baby is doing better!!

Riley had a pretty severe reaction to the Distemper combo vaccine
a couple months ago... Broke out into major hives and started panting
really heavily about 7 hours after... He got it on a Saturday morning and
we ended up in the Emergency Vet at around 10pm that night. I spoke
with his regular Vet a couple of days later and was relieved when he
suggested that we do "titers" from now on...

I'm not exactly sure how that works since DC law is rabies and distemper
vaccines every year in order to renew their mandatory dog license.
I figure I will just deal with that when the time comes.

[sportschick]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

It is not normal for a dog to have a reaction to a vaccine. True vaccine reactions that would lead to serious issues for a dog are actually very rare.

Rabies, distemper and parvo are killers....and keep in mind that rabies is also a threat to humans. Vaccines save a lot of animal and human lives.

I am sorry but I don't agree with you. I know you have been on these boards for a very long time and I know that you have WAY more knowledge than me about dogs. But I do know a he!! of a lot about the body and health. And any "bad" reaction, whether it is life threatening or not is not good and that goes for an animal.

The drug companies in this country have manufactured threats to both humans and animals and they don't tell you the truth about how long a vaccine lasts. And no, I am not some crunchy, granola nut that I don't believe in any kind of medications, but like I said I know enough about the industry to be very leary of anything that is put into MY body or my dog's body.

I worked in the medical field for a very long time and I saw what, supposedly "good" medicine did to people. I also worked in the holistic medical field and I believe in that type of medicine along with convential medicine.

So I will ask for a rabies exemption next time. I have decided that I will do the core vaccines on her one more time, but after that she is done. My dog is not going to be exposed to racoons, or any other animals so she is NOT going to get anything that is going to make her sick because there is one in a million chance of her being exposed to that animal.

Anyway, I hope this doesn't sound insulting to you but I feel very stongly about this and my feelings are built on a core of knowledge about the human body and much reseach on the canine body.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by sportschick

I am sorry but I don't agree with you. I know you have been on these boards for a very long time and I know that you have WAY more knowledge than me about dogs. But I do know a he!! of a lot about the body and health. And any "bad" reaction, whether it is life threatening or not is not good and that goes for an animal.

The drug companies in this country have manufactured threats to both humans and animals and they don't tell you the truth about how long a vaccine lasts. And no, I am not some crunchy, granola nut that I don't believe in any kind of medications, but like I said I know enough about the industry to be very leary of anything that is put into MY body or my dog's body.

I worked in the medical field for a very long time and I saw what, supposedly "good" medicine did to people. I also worked in the holistic medical field and I believe in that type of medicine along with convential medicine.

So I will ask for a rabies exemption next time. I have decided that I will do the core vaccines on her one more time, but after that she is done. My dog is not going to be exposed to racoons, or any other animals so she is NOT going to get anything that is going to make her sick because there is one in a million chance of her being exposed to that animal.

Anyway, I hope this doesn't sound insulting to you but I feel very stongly about this and my feelings are built on a core of knowledge about the human body and much reseach on the canine body.

I am not insulted at all.

I am one of the people who suggested you get an exemption.

Let me simply reiterate what I said and what you quoted.....

It is not normal for a dog to have a reaction to a vaccine. True vaccine reactions that would lead to serious issues for a dog are actually very rare.

Rabies, distemper and parvo are killers....and keep in mind that rabies is also a threat to humans. Vaccines save a lot of animal and human lives.


If everyone refused to vaccinate because of their fears of them, there would be more cases of rabies in animals and humans. Facts are facts. The drug companies did not create a fear of rabies. Since we have made rabies vaccines mandatory, domestic animals are not a threat to humans....prior to vaccinations they were a threat. There is no holistic way to prevent rabies or distemper in animals.

As for reactions...there IS a difference between a side effect of something and an actual reaction. I am sure you do know that.

[gemy]

I believe what is key here at least for me, is how often "truly" do you need to vaccinate?

It is not great to give vaccines if a dog already has an immunity to a particular disease.... thus titers.

I will always make sure my dogs are protected against rabies, distemper and parvo. Althoug for distemper at least even vaccinated dogs can get this. It is rare but it can happen. And that doesn't mean one shouldn't make sure your dog is protected against all.

And for SportChick, there is no need to apologize when presenting a different opinion. All opinions are welcome, and that is a great boon for a public board for I believe those very different opinions can create an opportunity for expanded thought.

[Britster]

I absolutely think vaccines are important. I'm certainly not for just ... *not* getting them. I think that's irresponsible.

But I do think that a lot of vaccines are a lot of crock and definitely made for the medical industry's benefit.

What about the controversy with the Guardasil vaccine ... a vaccine that had very controversial side effects and testing done, and then was made MANDATORY by a governor who's #1 campaign sponsor was the man who owned Guardasil?!? I know, comparing apples to oranges (guardasil vs. rabies) but I just truly believe vaccines are such HUGE money makers ... there is NO reason to need a rabies vaccine every 3 years on a family dog who lives in your house 99% of it's life. A But unfortunately, that's the law, so I must follow it.

One dose of rabies vaccine costs the vet about 61 cents. The client is typically charged between $15 and $38, plus a $35 office visit. The markup on the vaccine alone is 2,400 percent to 6,200 percent—a markup equivalent to charging $217 for a loaf of bread. You can't tell me there's not ulterior motives somewhere in there.

[sportschick]

O.K. Ladyjane, maybe you live in an area where rabies is prevalent. I do not. So, if drug companies didn't create a fear of rabies, then who did?? I had a dog when I was about 5 years old and extended family members had dogs. No one worried about rabies, nor did they get rabies. And that was a LONG time ago. Nor did we worry about all the other unvaccinated diseases and dogs lived a really long time.

Maybe you have had experience with rabies and people getting rabies from rabid dogs, but I haven't nor have I heard, read or dealt with rabid dogs in any of the cities I have lived in for the past almost 60 years.

Sorry, I don't agree with you. Just like I don't agree with the notion that we should all get flu shots, shingles shots, cervical cancer shots because we MIGHT get any of those.

I prefer to work on keeping myself and my dog healthy rather than sticking a needle into either one of us to ward of something that has a minimal chance of happening.

Again, please don't think I am trying to be insulting, I am known for my holistic leanings in my circle of life. I drive everyone crazy. ahahahah

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by sportschick

O.K. Ladyjane, maybe you live in an area where rabies is prevalent. I do not. So, if drug companies didn't create a fear of rabies, then who did?? I had a dog when I was about 5 years old and extended family members had dogs. No one worried about rabies, nor did they get rabies. And that was a LONG time ago. Nor did we worry about all the other unvaccinated diseases and dogs lived a really long time.

Maybe you have had experience with rabies and people getting rabies from rabid dogs, but I haven't nor have I heard, read or dealt with rabid dogs in any of the cities I have lived in for the past almost 60 years.

Sorry, I don't agree with you. Just like I don't agree with the notion that we should all get flu shots, shingles shots, cervical cancer shots because we MIGHT get any of those.

I prefer to work on keeping myself and my dog healthy rather than sticking a needle into either one of us to ward of something that has a minimal chance of happening.

Again, please don't think I am trying to be insulting, I am known for my holistic leanings in my circle of life. I drive everyone crazy. ahahahah

I am not referring to my personal experiences. I also don't think you are being insulting. You don't agree with me....and I simply do not agree with you. As someone said, it is an open board with different opinions.

I am simply saying that the facts are out there and vaccines have cut down on rabies cases.

Also, I don't get all of those vaccines you are referring to and don't know what they have to do with the topic at hand.

This link will perhaps help you to understand why you have not heard of or feared rabies:


http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/vet...ion_rabies.pdf


From that link:

By 1960, mandatory vaccination of dogs in the United States largely controlled canine and human rabies. This immune barrier has been established nationwide at a cost of over $300 million annually. Cats are also vaccinated for rabies but it is not mandatory and feline rabies is now more common than canine rabies in the United States. With the widespread vaccination of cats and dogs in the United States, most endemic human rabies is a result of contact with rabid wildlife, particularly bats.

[Cherie6446]

I am always worried about reactions to shots. I would not give her the Rimadyl. There have been some terrible reactions to it not only in small dogs but big ones as well. Bleeding in the stomach. Do some research for Rimadyl and see if it would ever be something that you would give. I always tell the vet I will not give Rimadyl to my dogs.

[sportschick]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

I am not referring to my personal experiences. I also don't think you are being insulting. You don't agree with me....and I simply do not agree with you. As someone said, it is an open board with different opinions.

I am simply saying that the facts are out there and vaccines have cut down on rabies cases.

Also, I don't get all of those vaccines you are referring to and don't know what they have to do with the topic at hand.

This link will perhaps help you to understand why you have not heard of or feared rabies:

T


http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/vet...ion_rabies.pdf


From that link:

By 1960, mandatory vaccination of dogs in the United States largely controlled canine and human rabies. This immune barrier has been established nationwide at a cost of over $300 million annually. Cats are also vaccinated for rabies but it is not mandatory and feline rabies is now more common than canine rabies in the United States. With the widespread vaccination of cats and dogs in the United States, most endemic human rabies is a result of contact with rabid wildlife, particularly bats.

I was just making a point about vaccines in general, like human vaccines that are being pushed upon us - that is what I was referring to.

I don't want anyone to think that I am dead set against vaccines for canines or humans, I DO belive that there is a place for them. I just believe that drug companies have capitalized on the fears of pet parents and have pushed drugs and vaccines on us to the point where they are hurting our animal kids more than helping.

I believe the same about we humans who have been brainwashed into thinking that taking a pill or sticking a needle into us will either fix everything or preclude some illness/disease that we have a minimal chance of getting.

I agree with Brister, it is all about money. And I am certainly not against making money, just not at the expense of health.

Anyway, thanks for you input and information. I always do my research before I make decisions and I SO appreciate all the help I have gotten here!!

[ladyjane]

I understand, but it is better to compare apples to apples.

The other things were not what I was referring to and you were quoting me, so I felt I should clarify.

Rabies vaccine was not a drug manufacturer's money maker...well, let's just say that was not the motivation of it's creation/discovery.

I am certainly not talking about the others...trust me, I have my own feelings about some of them and don't partake.