1/2 rabies vac...

[chachi]

Now Im one that believes in following vet advice but if my dog had that serious of a reaction I would get a waver from my vet or find a new one to give me one

[Princes mom]

Originally Posted by chachi

Now Im one that believes in following vet advice but if my dog had that serious of a reaction I would get a waver from my vet or find a new one to give me one

Thank you so much!!!!

[Princes mom]

Originally Posted by Sweet Apple

I may get totally ripped for this post, but I don't give a flip...I, absolutely, positively, would not give that baby another rabies shot...I've had dogs all my long life, and no one has ever ever approached me about any of my dogs being licensed, vaccinated, or anything, whatsoever...If a human has a reaction to a medication, it's never ever given again...Why should it be any different with a dog?...Of course it will take vigilence on your part not to expose him to any potentially unvaccinated dogs, not have him out at night w/any possiblity of bats, and never unsupervised in a fenced yard...I think most responsible people do that anyway, especially those of us w/the really tiny ones...I hope you never consider giving him another rabies shot...Any vet, worth his weight in salt, wouldn't give him one, knowing what it has done to him in the past...Sorry to rant and rave, but sometimes you just have to let your gut feeling tell what you should do, and I believe yours already has...

You are right! Thank you for your response. I feel the same way!!!!!!

[Princes mom]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

What vaccines did he have the day this happened?

He was given the core vaccines:distemper, hepatitis,parvovirus, and,rabies, as well as bordatella.

He was not premedicated.

Thank you so much.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by Princes mom

He was given the core vaccines:distemper, hepatitis,parvovirus, and,rabies, as well as bordatella.

He was not premedicated.

Thank you so much.

How many times (before the day that he reacted) had he had each one?
The problem is, they were all given on the same day, so there is no way of knowing what one caused it. I know people are going to tell you it was rabies (and it likely was), but that doesn't mean it couldn't have been one of the other ones, so you won't know which one to avoid this time.

If your vet does believe it was the rabies vac, then I would not do 1/2 dose. I would skip it altogether. The laws in some states seem to be a bit broad like in the case of GA. It doesn't say that they will not take a vet's waiver. It just doesn't say that they will either. Usually in these states a vet can probably still write a letter and get away with it. While I'm not saying you should go ahead with the vac, it is going to be more stressful on you. I have no idea if you have ever had mice or bats in your house/garage, but if you find one and there is a question of whether Prince touch it, then he will most likely have to be quarantined at the least, etc. So it can be miserable not to get it... However, if my vet was confident that he did react to rabies, then I would absolutely not get it again.

[lmperez]

Originally Posted by Princes mom

I am so sorry to hear about your dogs. I have also read several articles about the dangers of vaccinations, mainly the rabies vac, and it is horrible!!

Did you let your dogs get the others, with the exception of the rabies vac, or did they not receive any at all?

Like your cat, Prince is inside almost all of the time. The only vacs that causes me a lot of concern are the rabies...and the nasal drops.

I plan to speak with Prince's vet on Monday and will ask him about writing the letter for me. AIf he refuses, I'll have to find one who will.

Thank you so much for your feedback.

The vet recommended that I not vaccinate for anything at that point as it would accelerate the cancer. With my current dogs I had all the puppy shots done vaccinated for rabies at 1 yr and I now have tiers drawn for the vaccinations. If the dog is still showing immunity then I do not re-vaccinate. As far as rabies that is a little harder to get around because it is a law to show proof. But in your case if your vet will not write a letter I would just mark the box on the lisence re-newal that you no longer have this dog and avoid giving your baby any more shots. It sounds like it would have devestating consequences. Rabies is the only vaccination required by law. The others are normally required if participating in dog activities or boarding. Most places now will except a titer draw showing immunity. It is a little more money then shots but worth it in the long run. I have a 5 yr old whippet that has only had his puppy seris and I just had titers drawn and he is still immuned to everything. If I had been vaccinating all these years his immune system would eventually break down. Another example is my 14 yr old yorkie. He only had puppy shots. took him in for a physical and the vet was amazed at how well his blood panal was. She said his work up was that of a much younger dog. HE has no cateracts, no skin issues nothing except he has no teeth but other than that he is active and very healthy... I hope Dr Dodds suceeds soon and has the rabies law changed. It will make a huge differnce in the heath of our beloved babies.

[lmperez]

Originally Posted by Princes mom

He was given the core vaccines:distemper, hepatitis,parvovirus, and,rabies, as well as bordatella.

He was not premedicated.

Thank you so much.

If you still feel that you want your dog to have all these it is recommended to break them up over a few weeks and have them given separately so as it to overwhelm the immune system. There is suspesion that my little 2 lb girl that I rescued form the shelter is neurologically challenged due to vaccinations. Unfortunally I have no way of proving this because I don't know her history other then there was no mention of her defect when I adopted her but they vaccinate before the leave the shelter and this is what they handed to me. The adoption was handled through a rescue. I love her dearly and would not have changed my mind but DR Dodds and a couple of vets seem to agree with me.

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by Princes mom

OMG!!!! GA does not allow any exemptions from the rabies vac????? Can you please send me the info, link, about that ruling? What about FL? I wonder if it is possible for me to get a letter from his original vet there and use it in GA?!
Thank you so much for the info.

This is an overview of the law by state:

http://vaccines.dogsadversereactions...RabiesLaws.pdf

This a more detailed version with the actual statutes towards the end. You will see that they also specify that they will not accept titers as proof of immunity.

http://health.state.ga.us/pdfs/epi/z...th%20Cover.pdf

[Princes mom]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

How many times (before the day that he reacted) had he had each one?
The problem is, they were all given on the same day, so there is no way of knowing what one caused it. I know people are going to tell you it was rabies (and it likely was), but that doesn't mean it couldn't have been one of the other ones, so you won't know which one to avoid this time.

If your vet does believe it was the rabies vac, then I would not do 1/2 dose. I would skip it altogether. The laws in some states seem to be a bit broad like in the case of GA. It doesn't say that they will not take a vet's waiver. It just doesn't say that they will either. Usually in these states a vet can probably still write a letter and get away with it. While I'm not saying you should go ahead with the vac, it is going to be more stressful on you. I have no idea if you have ever had mice or bats in your house/garage, but if you find one and there is a question of whether Prince touch it, then he will most likely have to be quarantined at the least, etc. So it can be miserable not to get it... However, if my vet was confident that he did react to rabies, then I would absolutely not get it again.

I thought the same thing because all of his vaccinations were given at one time, in one dose, except for the bordatella. The vet that administered the vacs (I no longer use her after that nightmare) said that a lot of small bred dogs react that way to the "rabies" part. Most of them recup a lot sooner than Prince did, according to her. His new vet said that he would be willing to give 2 halfs, two weeks apart, but I think I will see if Prince can be exempt, somehow. Prince did have a strong reaction to the nasal drops, and since they're not the core vacs, I will not let him have that again. (He has never been boarded and never will, and has all of his grooming at home).

No, we have never had bats or mice in our home nor on our property. (OMG!!!) Prince does not go out at night unless it is on our enclosed deck.

The problem is, how do I know if the vet is only giving half? I'm at the point where I am having a hard time trusting anyone. If the vet refuses to write the letter, or, if it is not accepted, and if he'll give a half dose...total with the license, I might have to do that.

Hopefully I don't end up on the 6:00 news!!!!!!!!!

[Wylie's Mom]

I agree w/ what Crystal said. Keep in mind that once a dog has a reaction to a vax, the next time the reaction can be bigger - even if you give less vaccine. Scary, I know. If I thought my dog had a big reaction...I honestly would probably not give it...but it's something to discuss w/ maybe a few different vets. Maybe try emailing Dr. Dodd?

[Ellie May]

I can imagine how scared you are, but just something else to throw out there.
Ellie had DHLPP-C and rabies all at one time.
She reacted severely and we thought it was the lepto.
Fast forward to new (very trustworthy) vet and time for the next rabies vac (a few weeks ago). While the old vet thought Ellie reacted to the lepto, since they were all given at once I wasn't convinced. I didn't want to do rabies because I was worried about it. New (well not new anymore) vet said she wouldn't recommend messing with rabies and wanted to go ahead with it. She felt very strongly that Ellie had reacted to the lepto and all would go fine and she was absolutely correct. We did premedicate though. She said that she has seen quite a few lepto reactions and then she said she sees reactions from the distemper vac (not sure if these included lepto and that is the problem or what), but she can't really remember many severe (immediate) rabies reactions. All that to say, since the lepto wasn't given, it was probably the rabies, but here you have a vet who has been practicing for a loooong time who hasn't had a problem with rabies... So just another prospective...

In some places animal control does come around and check for licenses and then you will have to get the shot within 10 days or risk fines, so you may not want to go with the skip it and hope nobody notices method. I'm sure there is a vet somewhere in your area who will understand and write you a letter.

Not exactly sure what I'd do about parvo and distemper though.

[LuvMySissy]

I know what the federal mandated law says about rabies vaccines. I have a vet who will only give a small dog 1/4 of the dose (which is as effective as the entire thing - no matter what you are told) and sign the certification. I have talked with many yorkie owners who have spoken with their vets about this and who also do the same thing. Only you and the vet know how much has been given as you are the only ones in the room.

If you can't find a vet willing to work with you, I would definitely not get the vaccine and instead get a letter stating the vaccine cannot be given due to a severe reaction.

And in the future, it is good practice to never give more than one vaccine at a time. This is the only way you can know which vaccine they are reacting to and help prevent reactions to begin with.

On a site note, because of Sissy's intestinal disorder - even though she is doing substantially better - she is due for her rabies booster (the only vaccine we give now) in December and after voicing concerns to my vet the rabies may set her immune system back, we agreed we will re-run her bloodwork in early December and if everything is not normal we will not give the rabies and get a letter instead.

[inabowbina]

i dont get my dogs rabies shots they get sick and i almost lost one because of it. ANd i lost a cat to it. i think its stupid for a little dog that never goes outside and doesn't go anywhere that's around wild animals to get a rabies shot. its over rated I think its good for big dogs that are out and about but why a little one that doesn't go anywhere? putting a toxin in its body it doesn't need. i wouldnt do it ask yourself why where does he go where he can get rabies?

[Princes mom]

Just an update...
Our vet has written a letter stating that Prince should not have any vaccinations. He is afraid that the next dosage might be fatal. (Prince had a terrible time and almost died last year after his vaccinations). His decision is based on Pince's lifestyle...he is an indoor dog and is potty pad trained. He is never around other dogs, his chances of getting atacked by a rabid animal is nill, he doesn't walk in grass, where he would have a chance of getting something from another animal, is never boarded and is groomed at home, or at his vet's office. I am to continue with his "well" check-ups and continue with his heartworm meds (Revolution). He is scheduled to have a routine check-up on the 21st. The only problem will be if he had to fly...the letter may surfice, or it may not. His vet believes in vaccinations, but because of Prince"s history (he has even called and discussed this matter with Prince's pprevious vets) he is very concerned.
The letter is legally accepted, in our county. If Prince were to bite someone, then we would have a big problem, without the rabies vac, eventhough we have the letter, but he is only around family members that he knows.
I asked the vet about Revolution, and he said it was very effective. Prince has tried several others but had bad reactions to all of them. I read the links about some dogs that have gotten heartworms while on Revolution, but none of the links were from a scientific source. I've also read and was told about dogs that have gotten heartworms while on other medications. It really depends on the lifestyle of the dog. This is like trying to choose the best of two evils!!!!!!

[littlepixie12]

Originally Posted by Princes mom

He had a very bad reaction to his vacs and had to return to the vet (and emergency hospital) several times within 8 days. He was unable to stand, had shallow breathing, wouldn't eat nor poop, he was not able to stand to urinate, and would shake.
You know, I think I may skip the rabies vac this year. Prince is potty pad trained and is not around any dogs. He is inside or on the deck with me or his daddy. When he goes for a walk, he is never in contact with other animals.

was the rabies combined with another shot? like another vaccine? i know my vet wanted to give Maxi rabies plus another booster shot together but I refused so he just got the rabies shot alone and we are going next friday for his last booster shot. Although he only got the rabies shot that lasts for a year I know there is another shot that lasts for 3 years. He was totally fine, knock on wood.