Rabies Vaccination: Caution! The Devil is in the Details
Written by Jan on August 23, 2011 – 12:01 am
It’s that time again: time for your dog to get her rabies shot. Wait! Proceed with caution. This is a serious medical procedure. And no, you can’t just leave it to your vet. Please read on for answers to questions you may not even have thought to ask.
How long do rabies vaccines last? The “three-year” vaccine has been proven by vaccine manufacturers, to the satisfaction of the US Department of Agriculture, to be effective for at least three years. Despite this, many veterinarians vaccinate every one or two years. In fact, in a recent article by Edie Lau for the Veterinary Information News Service, the Vice-President of the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association admitted that he gives a “3 year” rabies vaccine every 2 years! Surely, these vets have seen the “3″ on the label. Or have read the 1992 French study proving five year immunity, or the blood studies suggesting seven or more years immunity. The Rabies Challenge Fund (a nonprofit funded solely by dog lovers) expects to confirm five year immunity in the US by November 2012 and seven years immunity two years later.
Why is vaccinating more often than required a problem? In addition to the unnecessary expense for the office visit and innoculations, this shot can be dangerous for your dog. According to a 2008 Report: “Rabies vaccines are the most common group of biological products identified in adverse event reports received by the USDA’s Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB).”
Adverse reactions, by percentage reported, include: Vomiting-28.1%; facial swelling-26.3%; injection site swelling or lump-19.4%; lethargy-12%; urticaria-10.1%; circulatory shock-8.3%; injection site pain-7.4%; pruritus-7.4%; injection site alopecia or hair loss-6.9%; death-5.5%; lack of consciousness-5.5; diarrhea-4.6%; hypersensitivity (not specified)-4.6%; fever-4.1%;, anaphylaxis-2.8%; ataxia-2.8%; lameness-2.8%; general signs of pain-2.3%; hyperactivity-2.3%; injection site scab or crust-2.3%;, muscle tremor-2.3%; tachycardia-2.3%; and thrombocytopenia-2.3%.
Even adverse reactions occuring within several days of vaccination are reported only an estimated 1% of the time (according to a former FDA official). Most long-term reactions are not reported at all – or even recognized. Long-term studies using a large number of dogs are not performed because of the expense. Long-term reactions, to name just some, include injection-site and other tumors, autoimmune diseases, lack of rear end coordination and seizures. Read the comments on my rabies vaccine reactions page for reactions reported by readers of this blog. And see other reactions reported by this holistic veterinarian.
Do you have a knowledgeable vet? Has your vet informed you of the potential health risks of the rabies vaccine? Has your vet told you about the legal requirements? Or explained about the possibility of a medical exemption for your health compromised dog? If not, why?
Why would vets (and localities) vaccinate more often than legally and medically required? Perhaps because of increased revenue from county license fees and vet visits, or ignorance of current laws, or fear that clients can’t be trusted to vaccinate on time. To my mind, however, vaccinating more often than legally required, and more often than manufacturers recommend, without informing clients of the law, manufacturer recommendations and potential health risks, is unethical and a violation of the legal doctrine of informed consent. It may also be consumer fraud.
Why is there a one-year vaccine and a three-year vaccine? World-renowned vaccination expert Dr. Ron Schultz, whose studies have been the basis for guidelines for the WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Association), AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association), AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) and other organizations confirmed this in our vaccination DVD (see below). In his report “What Everyone Needs to Know About Canine Vaccines and Vaccination Programs” he wrote: “There is no benefit from annual rabies vaccination and most one year rabies products are similar or identical to the 3-year products with regard to duration of immunity and effectiveness.”
Ms. Lau wrote in her article, “Manufacturers’ representatives say a key distinction between most one- and three-year rabies vaccines is the testing they undergo to demonstrate the duration for which they confer immunity.” She added: “Some one- and three-year formulations do differ, but exactly in what ways is considered a trade secret.”
That is, manufacturers test basically the same formulation for one year for the one-year shot, then stop the study. The three-year vaccine study is stopped at three years. How long these vaccines might potentially last is unknown. And manufacturer’s have no incentive to find out.
Is the one-year shot safer than the three-year? No. In fact, it’s probably more dangerous because it has to be given much more often.
Why label the vaccine “one-year” if it really lasts three years? In short, to simplify paper work. The USDA requires an initial shot followed by another a year later. That is, one-year shots require a “booster” a year later; three year shots require boosters three years later.The different labels make record keeping easier.
At present, every state in the US requires an initial “one-year” shot (around 3-6 months of age) followed a year later by the three-year vaccine, with revaccination every three years thereafter.
What you need to know about the two rabies vaccines:
- If you give the one-year vaccine when the three-year vaccine is due, you will have to vaccinate one year later even if the vaccines are identical.
- If you can’t prove the one-year vaccine was followed by the three-year vaccine a year later, or if a three-year wasn’t followed by another within three years, you will have to start all over again.
- Vets lose records and make errors. Check the vaccine label BEFORE your dog is vaccinated and check the license paperwork and vet notes immediately afterward. Paperwork, not reality, rules.
- If you are even one day late with the vaccine, and your dog bites someone, your local Animal Control will control your dog’s fate. They can mandate in-house quarantine or in-shelter quarantine or even euthanasia — depending on where you live. Proof of strong antibody titers is not a legal substiture for vaccination paperwork.
- A licensed veterinarian must give the innoculation and provide you with accurate paperwork. Otherwise, your dog will require revaccination.
- Give the rabies shot 3-4 weeks apart from the distemper/parvovirus booster or any other vaccine, heartworm med, flea med, etc. Failure to do so will greatly increase the likelihood of a rabies reaction.
- According to manufacturer’s label recommendations, only healthy dogs should be vaccinated. if your dog has a documented history of health problems, or problems with this or any other vaccines, you may be able to get a special exemptiono or postponement from your local Animal Control. (Consult your vet or local animal control for exemption requirements; exemption availability varies from locale to locale. Willingness to request an exemption varies from vet to vet. Again, you may have to vet shop.)
Which brand should you use? All of the US brands used “killed” vaccines, not “modified live” vaccines. A “modified live” vaccine would be too dangerous as sometimes, although rarely, it can cause the disease it is meant to prevent.
Many of my veterinarian friends mostly recommend the Merial IMRAB TF 1 or 3 year. For cats, the Merial PUREVAX Feline Rabies. But remember, all rabies vaccines have the potential of causing serious adverse reactions. And some animals will react differently to different vaccines.
“TF” stands for thimerosol free, that is, free of a mercury adjuvant. Mercury is used as a preservative in vaccines, and can be present even if it is not on the label. The ingredients are part of the proprietary stew. Many experts believe it to be dangerous. Note: Several manufacturers offer thimerosol-free rabies vaccines.
Unfortunately, most vets carry only one brand and it’s probably not thimerosol free. In larger practices, some of the vets may not even like the brand they carry. It is often selected by price, because the senior partner or corporate buyer like it and/or because one manufacturer’s rep does a better job than another. You cannot buy the brand you want and vaccinate yourself. Most vets won’t even order the brand you want if you offer to pay for a whole case.
How do you get the brand you want? Find another vet.
So, as you see, rabies vaccination is a complicated, potentially dangerous, procedure. Educate your self and proceed with caution.
Unless your dog is granted a rabies vaccination exemption, you are legally required to vaccinate. Vaccination with any vaccine is serious business. Your dog’s future health, and even her life, may be at stake. Vaccinate cautiously.
*** Renowned pet vaccination scientists Drs. Jean Dodds and Ron Schultz spoke at my Safer Pet Vaccination Benefit Seminar in 2010. Click here to purchase a DVD of the event, the proceeds of which benefit the Rabies Challenge Fund.
Other articles of interest:
Rabies Vaccination Medical Exemptions for Unhealthy Dogs
Rabies Vaccination: 13 Ways to Vaccinate More Safely
What to Do When Your Dog Has a Vaccine Reaction
New Articles and Videos
August 25th, 2011 at 11:30 am
What to do when your State requires your pet be vacinated?? I have personally almost lost two dogs to Rabies shots and one was done by a Holistic vet with over $700 vet bills to save him. Of course needless to say it was another vet that saved him. I think it is most important to change the law, not the vets. Our precious pets are not welcome at day care centers or any place where the law requires they have all their shots. It is not fair. Pets depend on us to do whats right for them not kill them. Just my opinion.
August 25th, 2011 at 3:44 pm
Steffie, some states have added medical exemptions to rabies vaccination to their rabies law. It takes a while, but it is possible. Of course, if your dog is well, you have no choice.
Re changing the law, I think the Rabies Challenge Fund is our best bet. They are attempting USDA approval for a 5 year vaccine, then a 7 year vaccine. November 2012 is the end of the first year. It is funded by pet lovers.
Re changing vets, I do believe that vets trained in homeopathy are your safest bet when vaccinating. Of course, they aren’t foolproof. And some holistic vets aren’t really holistic.
Also please read Rabies Vaccination, 13 Ways to Vaccinate More Safely. There are some good tips there.
November 2nd, 2011 at 3:25 pm
There is a reason that we vaccinate for rabies in America. (http://www.wwnytv.com/news/local/Fort-Drum-Soldier-Dies-From-Rabies-129163788.html)
This is a matter of public safety. The federal government and veterinarians didn’t just get together and decide to vaccinate for a random disease that affects our dogs because we love them (or to make money). Rabies is a real disease that is transmissible to humans. And if immediate treatment is not received, it is always fatal. There is no law saying that you have to vaccinate your dog for Distemper or Parvo viruses (because the government doesn’t care if your dog dies of parvo.) They only care about protecting the public from zoonotic diseases. If you choose not to vaccinate your dog for rabies, that puts everyone at risk. And again if you think that rabies does not exist in companion animals, you have been misinformed. The one case of rabies that I’ve seen in my years of working at multiple veterinary clinics was a beagle. It was an indoor, family pet that belonged to a police officer. This family had 3 children. Thankfully, none of the children were exposed; however this family risked the lives of all of their children (as well as everyone in the neighborhood) by not vaccinating their dog for rabies.
I do believe that many pet owners can be trusted to have their pets vaccinated every three years. But I live in an area where people have pets tied to a tree outside, and they only make it into the vet maybe once every 4-5 years. These owners absolutely cannot be trusted to run rabies titers on their dog every year. This is why the law still requires a one year rabies vaccine followed by a three year vaccine.
Furthermore if you think that veterinarians are getting rich off of giving rabies shots, again you have been misinformed. In my area, rabies vaccines average between $8 – $15 per year. People spend more than that every month on cable TV, cell phones, internet, etc. Yet for some reason they still complain about the price of a rabies vaccine. Really?
November 4th, 2011 at 4:48 pm
Beth, re profit: it’s not the cost of the vaccination, it’s all the extras added on when bringing in the dog for a visit. Do a wellness visit, not unnecessary shots. Please watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdPhj8Vq9ck&feature=relmfu
December 23rd, 2011 at 3:04 pm
Hi Jan,
Thanks for sharing all this great information! I have used it in making the decision to opt out of heartworm prevention and learning a lot about dog vax as well.
We just got a dog in august and waited until he was 23 weeks old and requested the vet give only single vaccines of distemper and parvo. This was given in middle of November. I just found out today that the Vet took it upon herself to give our dog two combo shots consisting of 1 Parvo + Adeno combo and 1 Distmeper + Flu combo. After having several conversations over a months time with her and her staff about our wishes her apology is not enough. I’m furious and wondering if there is any agency that I can report this to. It’s bad enough that he got the shots in the first place, but the thought of him being injected with these other things without our consent is disturbing. If there is any advice you can give I’d appreciate it!
Take care!
December 23rd, 2011 at 3:12 pm
Amy, I don’t blame you for being furious. I would be, too.
You can report her to your state’s veterinary medical board, and I would if I were you. I would not expect satisfaction, however. Vets, like medical doctors, police, etc., tend to protect their own. It will probably at most be embarrassing and time consuming, but the vet will likely not go against client wishes the next time.
The good news is that your dog is likely immune for life. I’d ask the vet to pay for a parvo/distemper titer test to prove your dog’s immunity. You might also get a homeopathy consult to help undo any harmful side effects of the shot. Your vet should pay for that, but probably won’t.
How did you find out about this anyway? I hope you’re changing vets and telling her why.
Good luck.
December 23rd, 2011 at 8:39 pm
Yes we are changing vets. He had a follow up appt today for parvo/distemper titer and his first rabies vax. After re-reading the reminder email they sent I realized that it said dhpp was going to be given and I called them on that and both the assistant and the vet confirmed that he was given the combo at his last visit.
My husband was already on the way there so the vet agreed to allow my husband to stay with our dog in the exam room (they didnt allow this last time) to make sure nothing more was given except the TF Rabies we requested and the blood draw. My husband has reported that the vet would not give free titer, but waived all other cost of this visit. I will be following up with the Vet med board. Atleast my complaint will be on record and may deter them from doing it to another pet.
I know exactly what you mean about not getting any justice in reporting them. We’ve had similar responses when my son was vax injured. This is partly the reason for our caution with our pet vaccines. My son has been diagnosed with several medical and neurological issues after these reactions. Had we been fully informed about vaccines these things could have been prevented. We no longer vaccinate and even if we still chose to, we were told we shouldn’t. Not one of the many specialist he was seen by could tell us what part/ingredient of the vaccines caused the reactions so we have been advised to keep him away from all of them.
This dog was suppose to be our son’s service dog, but due to our decision to delay the canine vaccinations we couldnt get him into any training programs at an earlier age. Having a healthy dog was more important to us because what good is sick dog for a child dealing with his own nuero and medical issues; right? So at this point we will be glad just to get him trained enough to be a good companion dog and not get on my furniture.
I really appreciate your efforts to let people know about pet vaccine safety. Thanks for being a voice for our friends who cannot speak for themselves!
Happy Holidays to you and your family!!
December 24th, 2011 at 11:52 am
Your vet should have never given the rabies vaccine with other vaccines. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. This vet makes me really angry.
You might contact Marina at naturalrearing.com and see if she can recommend a homeopathic remedy. Try to head off any problems at the pass.
Good luck.
January 24th, 2012 at 4:35 pm
Okay so I cannot get a straight answer. If a dog has been vaccinated for 1 year rabies shot, is it good for three years? I was bitten by a dog that had the one year shot and its been a whole year since its had another shot. Should he be good?
January 24th, 2012 at 4:59 pm
Mandy, a 1-yr shot is usually given to a young dog as the first vaccine in the series, or to a dog who hasn’t stayed current on the requirements and has to start all over again.
Immunity doesn’t evaporate by the calendar, so you’re probably fine, but you should contact someone who is an expert. Write or call Dr. Ron Schultz at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He’s the top expert and I’m sure he won’t charge you. First, if possible, find out what vaccine was used and when it was given, also how many other rabies vaccines it had previously received, and when they were given. You can also call the drug manufacturer. The main thing to learn is the dates shot(s) were given.
January 24th, 2012 at 5:12 pm
Jan
Thanks for your response! The only shot record she gave me was that the 7 year old dog had its last shot on 9-5-09. She though it was a three year but it wasnt when we checked it was a one year because she had to start all over I assume. i do know the rabies 1 year was given in sept of 09. I am just concerned and to not want to take the Rabie treatment if what I read is right. Some people say that the one year shot last as long as the three year! What is Dr. Shultz email. I am just on a time frame here of whether to get the treatment which would make me sick if I did not have it. What is your opinion!`
February 1st, 2012 at 11:32 am
Is there a way to reverse adverse reactions to vaccines?
February 1st, 2012 at 12:18 pm
Hi Teri, it depends on what the reaction is, how long ago the vaccine was given and the general health of the dog. I’ve seen the best results from holistic vets, especially those trained in homeopathy. Scan down near the bottom of my article on dealing with canine vaccine reactions at http://www.dogs4dogs.com/blog/2010/12/02/what-to-do-when-your-dog-has-a-vaccine-reaction/
Good luck!