The Rabies Vaccine Can Be Hazardous to Your Pet's Health
Emergency: What to Do If Your Dog is Having a Reaction to the Rabies Vaccine
If your dog develops any health problem after the shot, read the list of common reactions below. It may be an adverse reaction to the rabies shot. Your vet may not recognize it as a reaction and may not want to believe he/she brought on this problem. It's up to you to bring up the subject and investigate.
Note that your vet will likely treat the symptoms without addressing the underlying cause. Homeopathy is your best bet. Call an expert.
Important: Make sure your vet records the reaction in detail in your dog's file and get a copy of the file. Put it in a safe place. When the rabies shot is due again, ask your vet to apply for an exemption. Read our page on vaccinating before you give another shot of any kind.
Inside this Module
- Emergency: What to Do If Your Dog is Having a Reaction to the Rabies Vaccine
- Watch Our Informative (and Entertaining) Video
- Does Your Dog or Cat Really Need a Rabies Shot?
- When Do You Have to Vaccinate?
- When Should You NOT Vaccinate?
- What Adverse Reactions are Commonly Reported?
- Tell Us About the Rabies Vaccine and Your Dog
- What Can You Do to Protect Your Pet?
- Are There Special Considerations When Traveling?
- Do Cats Have Special Needs?
- Important Links
- Help Change Dangerous and Antiquated Rabies Vaccination Laws
- New 30 Minute Test to Detect Rabies
- Tell Me About Your Experiences with the Rabies Vaccine -- And Read Others' Stories
Watch Our Informative (and Entertaining) Video
WATCH IT FULL-SIZE by clicking the "Comments" link below the player.
Dog Rabid About Rabies Vaccine Dangers
http://Truth4Dogs.org/ Tiny Maltese dog warns of rabies vaccination dangers in an entertaining, but informative slideshow. Learn what you can do to help protect your dog from the vaccine's possible adverse reactions and learn how to help end over-vaccination. See other videos from Chiclet and Jan Rasmusen at /k9author.
Runtime: 4:03
34220 views
10 Comments:
Does Your Dog or Cat Really Need a Rabies Shot?
- The rabies vaccine is the ONLY shot required by law for dogs and cats in the United States. This is primarily to protect humans from getting rabies from their pets.
- The Center for Disease Control declared in 2007 that canine rabies no longer exists in the United States. Your dog will not contract rabies from another dog, but only from wild animals such as bats, coyotes, skunks, raccoons and foxes. Click here to read the CDC press release.
- In most areas, only young puppies, and dogs with written exemptions from their local Animal Control, are exempt from getting this shot. (More on this later.)
- Consequences for not vaccinating against rabies depend on the Animal Control laws in your area. At the very least, you won't be able to board your pet, participate in training classes or shows, or use a professional groomer. Many vets will insist on vaccination before boarding or treating your pet. And if your dog or cat bites or scratches anyone, or is picked up by Animal Control, there will surely be a stiff fine and your pet will be impounded and vaccinated (or worse).
Sign this Petition to Eliminate Unnecessary Vaccination
Please read and sign the Safer Vaccines for Companion Animals petition to the U.S. Government, US Governmental Agencies and American Veterinary Medical Association. Help dogs and cats get only the vaccines they absolutely need. When Do You Have to Vaccinate?
- Most localities require vaccination every three years even though studies in France and blood antibody tests in this country show that the rabies vaccine's immunity lasts for seven years. Worse yet, whether because of habit, ignorance or greed, some localities require annual vaccination--although the "three year" shot is guaranteed by manufacturers to give immunity for three years.
- The one-year shot is NOT safer than the three-year shot, and has to be given more often, making it potentially more dangerous.
- Puppies are generally required to get their first shot around four months, then again one year later and thereafter as required by local law. Check with your vet or Animal Control for details.
Read my new blog post on ELIMINATING UNNECESSARY SHOTS.
When Should You NOT Vaccinate?
- Puppies younger than 4 months
- A pet that has reacted adversely to vaccination in the past
- A sick pet, especially a dog with cancer or an autoimmune disease (read this important article on the dangers of vaccinating unhealthy pets)
- Before, during or after surgery, chemotherapy or other major medical procedure
- Within 3-4 weeks of other shots
Important: When getting a new dog or cat, get shot records, too. Pets from shelters, pet stores and most rescue groups will have been recently vaccinated, as may have animals from individuals. Don't vaccinate unnecessarily. Find out exactly which shots your pet got, and when. Get documentation from the vet in question if your pet had a rabies shot.
You have options to vaccinating (discussed below) which you should discuss with your veterinarian.
Disclaimer: Jan Rasmusen is not a veterinarian. The information above is provided for information purposes only, and is not intended as a substitute for advice from a qualified health practitioner.
What Adverse Reactions are Commonly Reported?
After rabies vaccination, your dog may experience fever, malaise or even life-threatening anaphylactic shot. Non-immediate reactions days or even months after vaccination (called "vaccinosis") include, but aren't limited to:
- Aggression or destructive behavior
- Separation anxiety
- Obsessive compulsive behaviors (like chasing tails or licking paws)
- Seizures and epilepsy
- Autoimmune diseases
- Allergies
- Skin problems
- Digestive disorders
- Muscle weakness
- Pica (eating inappropriate materials)
- Fibrocarcinomas at the injection site (particularly in cats-see below--but also in dogs)
Inexplicably, few vets warn about these possible adverse effects -- or even admit to the possibility even after they occur. If your pet experiences any of these reactions, REPORT THEM TO YOUR VET. Also know that there are things you can do. (Read on.)
Tell Us About the Rabies Vaccine and Your Dog
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What Can You Do to Protect Your Pet?
Never give the rabies vaccine with other shots -- especially not with a combination shot (one that vaccinates against several diseases at once.) In fact, don't give combos at all. They are linked to serious adverse reactions. This is even more important for small dogs whose bodies can't withstand multiple shots at once.
***If your pet has documented health problems and a low likelihood of contracting rabies, ask your vet to apply for a rabies vaccination extension or exemption. A rabies titer test showing immunity may help your cause. Expect to pay license fees, and to reapply in the next licensing period. If your vet won't do it, consult another vet.
If you have to vaccinate, consult a vet trained in homeopathy. There's a homeopathic "remedy" that can be given with the shot to lessen the chance of ill effects. Find a vet at Holistic Vet List. Or try Homeopathy Trained Vets.
***Report ALL reactions to vaccines to your vet; make sure the reactions are recorded in your pet's file. Have the vet sign the page showing reactions. Get a copy! Documentation will be necessary if you ever need to apply for an exemption. Also, years from now, you may forget the details.
If your dog has any adverse reaction to a shot, but your vet dismisses your concerns, take matters into your own hands. Contact a holistic vet. There are things that can be done to alleviate even long-standing problems. At least, check out the links on this page (below) and do a web search. Surely, others have experienced the same problem and may have solutions.
Kennels, groomers, trainers and doggy day care facilities may require proof of rabies, but more and more establishments accept titer testing. If they require vaccination more frequently than legally required, educate them or find another establishment. Their lack of knowledge is potentially hazardous to your pet's health.
Tell them that only a titer test guarantees immunity and, because canine rabies has been declared non-existent in the US, requiring rabies shots to protect dogs from each another is illogical!
Are There Special Considerations When Traveling?
NEVER vaccinate within a week of travel. Your animal may experience a life-threatening shot reaction and may die without immediate medical assistance.
Keep copies of your vaccination records and titer tests in your cars. Keep license tags on your dog's collar or harness. You don't want to have to revaccinate should you need to board your pet unexpectedly or should she bite someone.
Print a list of emergency vet clinics along your route at Pets911.
If you suspect your dog is suffering adverse reactions from a rabies shot, I suggest you consult a holistic (not a traditional) vet. If you treat symptoms without addressing the cause, your dog's health will surely decline. Holistic Vets, particularly those trained in homeopathy, should be able to treat the cause of the vaccinosis.
My Favorite Dog Care Book
Scared Poopless: The Straight Scoop on Dog Care
Amazon Price: $21.86 (as of 07/05/2009)
I wrote this book! It won two national awards: the Ben Franklin Award for the Best Health Book of any kind and the USABookNews Award for the Best Pet Health Book.
The Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association wrote: This is a wonderful book! It's also endorsed by Animal Wellness Magazine, The Animal Protection Institute and countless veterinarians. All author royalties benefit animal causes.
The title alone should tell you it's not your average dog care book. Scared Poopless is heavily researched and packed with information from my two years of research and interviews --but it's also really fun to read and contains 89 wild full-color photos. It makes a beautiful, and thoughtful, gift for dog-loving friends.
In addition to an in-depth, but easy to read, chapter on vaccination, it covers food, pet meds, anesthesia and surgery and dozens of other subjects on holistic dog health and safety. Please read the reviews, and see the Table of Contents, at Amazon or my website (link below) to learn more about it.
Do Cats Have Special Needs?
Dr. Jean Hofve, DVM and former Editor-in-Chief of The American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association Journal, writes: Ideally, for cats the Merial Purevax recombinant vaccine can be used in place of the older killed vaccines that can cause injection-site tumors. She adds: When vaccines were given between the shoulder blades, these cancers were inoperable because they would grow into the spine, ribcage, and chest. This became such a serious problem that now it is recommended to give the rabies vaccine in the right hind leg so that when a tumor does develop, the whole leg can be amputated and thus the cat's life can be saved.For more information on cat shots, go to Dr. Jean's terrific CAT website Little Big Cat. Also check out Cat Shots.
Important Links
- My Website and E-newsletter
- Learn more about my research, holistic dog care, buying a healthy puppy, anesthesia-free dental care, vaccine damage, Maltese dogs, and much more.
Get alerted when I publish another Squidoo page. My free e-newsletter comes out 6 times a year and contains lots of information on dog care and safety plus important health alerts. You can learn more about it, and sign up, at my website. - AAHA 2006 Canine Vaccine Task Force Report
- The American Animal Hospital Association Taskforce examined the safety and efficacy of canine vaccines in 2003 and 2006, changing vaccination recommendations for vet schools and organizations throughout the US. Follow this link, then click on the small red link: 2006 AAHA Canine Vaccine Guidelines-Revised.
- Truth4Dogs.org
- This is another website of mine with even more information about rabies vaccination.
- Dogs Adverse Reactions
- This link will take you directly to this site's vaccine problems page. It has other great pages on drugs that can harm your pets.
- Rabies Threat to Humans
- Click the Health Care Practitioners or Adult signpost for information about the rabies threat to humans.
- Animal Talk Naturally Podcast
- Host Kim Bloomer hosts an info-packed 60 minute interview with rabies vaccine experts Dr. Jean Dodds and Kris L. Christine, founders of the Rabies Challenge Fund. Recorded 7/31/08.
- Vaccine Side Effects Anecdotes
- On-line anecdotes about vaccination side effects.
- General Vaccination Information
- Find my video Vaccinating Dogs and links to important articles on Vaccine Damage, breeds predisposed to vaccine damage, and more.
- AVMA on Vaccination Site Tumors
- This discusses treatment options for tumors in cats caused by vaccines, but much of it also applies to dogs.
- Which Cat Shots to Give
- Poke around this website to find important information.
- Follow me (K9Author) on Twitter
- Get health alerts and my new articles by following me on Twitter. I only post when I have something important for your dog.
- Vaccinating Unhealthy Pets: Expect Reactions and Failures
- Pets that may experience reactions or immunity failures include, but aren't limited to, pets with autoimmune disease %u2026 pets undergoing chemo, radiation or surgery (even dental cleaning or neutering) %u2026 pets with autoimmune disease, cancer, severe allergies and skin diseases %u2026 pets fighting an illness or parasites %u2026 pets stressed from shipment or a move to a new home %u2026 malnourished pets %u2026 and dying housebound pets. Learn more by reading this article.
- Vaccinating Dogs: 10 Steps to Eliminating Unnecessary Shots
- Actually IMPROVE your dog's health by eliminating these shots.
- Aimee's Medical Exemption Blog
- Pamela Picard's blog arguing for rabies medical exemption in Texas and nationwide for sick and senior pets.
Subscribe to my Truth4Dogs Blog
Get articles, videos and recordings as soon as I post them!
Truth4Dogs Blog is all about holistic dog care, exposing the myths, misunderstanding and advertising propaganda damaging our dogs' health. Subscribe via e-mail or your favorite RSS feeder.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byOther Books and DVDs I like on Vaccinating
The Nature of Animal Healing : The Definitive Holistic Medicine Guide to Caring for Your Dog and Cat
This book has a wonderful chapter explaining immunology and the history of vaccines. It's a great resource if you're interested in holistic health care for dogs and cats.
Amazon Price: $10.88 (as of 07/05/2009)
Vaccine Guide for Dogs and Cats: What Every Pet Lover Should Know
This book goes deeply into each vaccine's risks. It's for people who want to know all the technical details.
Amazon Price: $11.86 (as of 07/05/2009)
Shock to the System: The Facts About Animal Vaccination, Pet Food And How to Keep Your Pets Healthy
Catherine is a UK author who's an expert on the science of vaccines and food. Read her article "The Science of Vaccine Damage" at my website: http://www.dogs4dogs.com/JR_Articles/Vaccine%20Damage
Amazon Price: $14.93 (as of 07/05/2009)
What Vets Don't Tell You About Vaccines
See the description above.
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 07/05/2009)
In Search of the Truth About Dogs: An Introduction to Natural Canine Health
Voted the best DVD of 2008 by the Dog Writers' Association of America. Catherine O'Driscoll interviews leading vets, including Richard Allport, Michael Fox and Christopher Day, the scientist Gary Smith, and professional dog trainer Keith Dickinson about switching dogs to raw, biologically appropriate food, and saying 'no' to unnecessary and potentially harmful vaccines.
Amazon Price: $15.95 (as of 07/05/2009)
Help Change Dangerous and Antiquated Rabies Vaccination Laws
The Challenge Fund has raised money for the first year, but needs to fund future years. Learn more about the vaccine and their work, or donate to this wonderful cause, at Rabies Challenge Fund Note: the term challenge refers to the type of testing. They are NOT challenging the need for the vaccine.
As of the Spring of 2008, Kansas and Wyoming are rethinking their laws. Arkansas is next. If you want to get e-mail alerts about how you can help, click Rabies Alert and ask to be added to the e-mail list.
Disclaimer: Jan Rasmusen is a researcher and author, not a veterinarian. Please consult a knowledgeable health care practitioner for more information or if your dog shows signs of illness.
New 30 Minute Test to Detect Rabies
Tell Me About Your Experiences with the Rabies Vaccine -- And Read Others' Stories
Please post your question or comment also at Truth4Dogs.com blog so others can read it.
IF YOU WANT A RESPONSE, YOU MUST COPY YOUR RESPONSE AT MY BLOG: Truth4Dogs Rabies Vaccine Info. I'll try to help. Find information on other shots at Vaccinating Dogs: What Your Vet Won't Tell You.
K9Author wrote...
in reply to Marion Marion, call your vet immediately. You should report all symptoms. Make sure your vet reports everything in your dog's file so you can file for an exemption when the shot is due again. Go get a copy of the report and keep it in a safe place. I'm not familiar with the red ear symptom, but it sounds like blood sent to the area. I would also see a homeopathic vet, or a homeopath, to help with the effects of the vaccine. You do not want this to get worse. The personality change is particularly troubling (and all too common). I hope you'll also go to www.dogs4dogs.com/shots to learn more about vaccinating. Your dog may react to other vaccines. This is important!
Posted June 24, 2009
K9Author wrote...
in reply to Christine Christine, Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is such a heartbreaking disease, Christine. I'm so sorry for your loss. This is a rare reaction to the rabies vaccine but not nearly rare enough. (It's on Dr. Schultz's list of "rare to "uncommon" reactions; that is, reactions occur more often than 1 in 10,000 but less than 1 in a 1,000.) Keep after your vet; reporting rates are estimated at about 1%. You can call the company yourself. And check to make sure the vaccine hadn't been recalled and was not out of date. I'd be interested in knowing if the vaccine contained thimersol (mercury). Thanks so much for sharing your story.
Posted June 24, 2009
Marion wrote
I took my almost 6 yr old, 2.6 lbs chihuahua to get her yearly rabbies shot yesterday. she hasn't eaten at all today and this morning when my husband picked her up she yelped real loud! I noticed she won't put any weight on that leg, she barely got out of her bed today. I even tried to give her some of her favorite treats and she was not interested one bit, instead she growled and barked at me! She has no diarrhea and has not vomitted, but her big ears look really red...should i take her to the vet? or is this normal after the rabies shot?
Posted June 23, 2009
Christine wrote
Hi
The last month has been very difficult for our family. Our beloved Yorkie mix Rufus, approximately 5 years old rescue, with a heart of gold and a wonderful nature, was going into kennels for 4 days. We took him to the vet on April 29 for his rabies booster, and a well check. He had both with no reactions except that he appeared sore at the injection site. This lasted approximately 4 days improving as each day went by. On Tuesday, May 5 he seemed fine, now jumping on and off our bed. On thursday May 7 in the evening he started to vomit and on Friday morning he had died. I cannot express our devasted we are, we took a perfectly healthy happy little dog, and gave him a death sentence. Our vet performed an autopsy and it was hemalytic aneamia. My vet told me he had reported it to the drug company, and I am waiting on a return phone call from the vet because I want to know if he has reported it to the FDA yet. Obviously the post mortem showed no other problems with my precious Rufus
Posted June 21, 2009
K9Author wrote...
KM, the rabies vaccine is a highly reactive shot. The Bordetella shot, which is more dangerous than the intranasal, and which should have not been given with the rabies, is also highly reactive; it is also probably unnecessary. Read about Bordetella at www.dogs4dogs.com/shots. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Posted June 19, 2009
KM wrote
My 5 yr old Yorkie was vaccinated for rabies in late Feb 09.He had a bordella shot because he didn't like the squirt up the nose.He had a lump at the site of the injection.A couple weeks later he was treated for dirreah and vomiting and given a fluid pouch because of dehydration.He got some better,but I continued to notice that his poop was different-he seemed to have mucus in his poop.By mid-March he began having more dirreah and vomiting and had to have more fluid.The vet continued to treat him with anti-dirreah and antibiotics.Xrays w/dye did not show obstructions or growths.That night he was lethargic and I took him to the emergency clinic.Treated him with antibiotics,steriods for 2 wks.Ultrasound with no diagnosis.Midnight trips for fluids.He would not eat or drink and kept getting worse then died.I had another Yorkie with a tumor that died with diagnoised cancer 2 yrs ago.He had the lump at the injection site too. Now I wonder if the same thing happened to my other baby.
Posted June 19, 2009
Dog Lover wrote
A year ago this month, I took my 1 1/2 yr old snoodle to the vet to be nuetered. I took him in one morning and dropped him off at a new vets office. Picked him up that afternoon and I paid the vet bill almost $300 for the neutar and shots. A couple hrs later, my dog was in pain. His scrotum had filled with blood and was black/blue and red against his white belly. I rushed him back to the after hours vet at the same clinic that we had left only hrs before. She said the swelling would go down and gave me pain pills, antiinflammatory's, vitamins that didnt help. He couldnt walk because his scrotum was about to burst, as big as a peach, blood traveled beneath the skin up his belly. Three more visits with no answers and uncaring vets. To me he was dying, Gave him bllod and fluids, overall cost me a $1000. They kept saying that I must have let him get in rat poison.or he had a disease.When they tested his blood, this was not the case. A second opinion determined malpractice.
Posted June 18, 2009
K9Author wrote...
JC, DOG HAVING SEIZURES DIES AFTER VACCINATION James, I am heartbroken, too. And I'm even more angry at your vet than you seem to be. When all this sinks in, I'm sure you'll be livid. Here are some things to consider:
1. A veterinarian must inform you fully before vaccinating, telling you about the risks and the benefits of the shots (or any medical procedure) and offering alternatives. (You could have surely gotten a medical exemption for rabies vaccination, and your dog was in no shape to get any shot.) This is called the Doctrine of Informed Consent. Your vet violated this doctrine.
2. A vet takes an oath to "do no harm." Clearly that oath was violated.
3. He charged you, apparently, for giving shots you did not authorize him to give.
4. He vaccinated a dog having seizures - clearly a dog that is not healthy. All vaccine manufacturers say to vaccinate only healthy dogs.
Read the rest of this at http://www.dogs4dogs.com/blog/2009/04/29/vaccinating-sick-dogs-cats/
Posted June 17, 2009
jc wrote
Tonight my little dog died from seizures. I can not tell you the heartbreak I have. I loved my little friend so much. He was just 7 years old. This morning he had a seizure and it lasted maybe 30 seconds. I hurried to get his pheno and gave him his usual dose. He seemed ok, but about 2 hours later he had a big seizure and again I gave him more pheno. he came out of it and seemed okay then another hour went by and he had another and then another quite fast. I rushed him to his vet where they gave him larazpam, however spelled, anyway he still had seizures so they injected him with pheno and it knocked him out for a couple of hours at wich time i went to see him and he seemed fine so the vet said come back and pick him up at 6 I think he will be fine. I returned at 6 to pick him up and they said he had another seizure so they had just medicated him. They handed me a limp dog with no response but they said it was the drugs so I took him home. Thirty minutes later he had a seizure and he stopped breathing. I tried cpr but to no avail. My little buddy is gone and all I can say is why? WHY?
I am upset with the vet. While he was there for severe seizures the vet decided upon himself it was a good time to vacitnate him and give him all his shots. Why couldn't that have waited? Also why would he send a dog that sick home? The little guy suffered from seperation anxiety so I thought leaving him overnight might not be the best thing to do. I have been going to this vet for years and always trusted him but now i feel he knew my little guy was close to death and sent him home maybe to make sure he got payed which he did. I know I am not in the right state of mind right now but I feel that he knew. His wife who works with him told me she did not want my little guy to go home tonight she was worried about him, but she is not the vet.
Do any of you think this sounds strange for a vet to do? I know I can not bring my little guy back but I do not feel he should not have died today. I have read forum after forum and have not found one story of a dog dieing like mine did? I read plenty about dogs having seizures and not coming out of them and having to be put to sleep but none like mine. What would you do?
severly heartbroken, I so loved him. God bless you little friend and thank you for all the joy you brought me while alive. I will forever miss you.
Posted June 17, 2009
K9Author wrote...
Rod, I'm really glad you were able to get a health exemption. Many, although not all, counties accept them. Most places in the US now require vaccination against rabies every three years thanks to the tireless work of rabies vaccine activist, Kris Christine. If you'd like help changing the law in your area, go to http://www.truth4dogs.org. In the left side column you'll find "Get breaking news by email: Rabies Challenge Alerts." Click the link there and you can e-mail Kris. Every month, counties and cities are changing to the US standard of three years. I hope you'll work to change things in your area.
Posted June 12, 2009
