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From the lens The Rabies Vaccine for Dogs and Cats: What You Need to Know Now.

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  • Ralph Dec 10, 2011 @ 11:01 am | delete
    CLINICAL APPROACHES TO MANAGING AND TREATING ADVERSE VACCINE REACTIONS
    W. Jean Dodds, DVM
    HEMOPET
    938 Stanford Street
    Santa Monica, CA 90403
    (310) 828-4804;FAX (310)-453-5240
    www.hemopet.org; hemopet@hotmail.com

    Background
    There is no doubt that application of modern vaccine technology has permitted us to protect companion animals effectively against serious infectious diseases.

    Viral disease and recent vaccination with single or combination modified live-virus (MLV) vaccines, especially those containing distemper virus, adenovirus 1 or 2, and parvovirus are increasingly recognized contributors, albeit relatively rare, to immune-mediated blood disease, bone marrow failure, and organ dysfunction. Potent adjuvanted killed vaccines like those for rabies virus also can trigger immediate and delayed (vaccinosis) adverse vaccine reactions. Genetic predisposition to these disorders in humans has been linked to the leucocyte antigen D-related gene locus of the major histocompatibility complex, and is likely to have parallel associations in domestic animals.

    It must be recognized, however, that we have the luxury of asking such questions today only because the risk of disease has been effectively reduced by the widespread use of vaccination programs.

    Adverse Events Associated with Vaccination
    The clinical signs associated with vaccine reactions typically include fever, stiffness, sore joints and abdominal tenderness, susceptibility to infections, neurological disorders and encephalitis, collapse with autoagglutinated red blood cells and icterus (autoimmune hemolytic anemia, AIHA, also called immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, IMHA), or generalized petechiae and ecchymotic hemorrhages (immune-mediated thrombocytopenia , ITP). Hepatic enzymes may be markedly elevated, and liver or kidney failure may occur by itself or accompany bone marrow suppression.

    Furthermore, MLV vaccination has been associated with the development of transient seizures in puppies and adult dogs of breeds or cross-breeds susceptible to immune-mediated diseases especially those involving hematologic or endocrine tissues (e.g. AIHA, ITP, autoimmune thyroiditis). Post-vaccinal polyneuropathy is a recognized entity associated occasionally with the use of distemper, parvovirus, rabies and presumably other vaccines. This can result in various clinical signs including muscular atrophy, inhibition or interruption of neuronal control of tissue and organ function, muscular excitation, incoordination and weakness, as well as seizures.

    Certain breeds or families of dogs appear to be more susceptible to adverse vaccine reactions, particularly post-vaccinal seizures, high fevers, and painful episodes of hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD). Therefore, we have the responsibility to advise companion animal breeders and caregivers of the potential for genetically susceptible littermates and relatives to be at increased risk for similar adverse vaccine reactions. In popular (or rare) inbred and linebred animals, the breed in general can be at increased risk as illustrated in the examples below.

    Polyvalent MLV vaccines which multiply in the host elicit a stronger antigenic challenge to the animal and should mount a more effective and sustained immune response. However, this can overwhelm the immunocompromised or even a healthy host that has ongoing exposure to other environmental stimuli as well as a genetic predisposition that promotes adverse response to viral challenge. The recently weaned young puppy or kitten being placed in a new environment may be at particular risk. Furthermore, while the frequency of vaccinations is usually spaced 2-3 weeks apart, some veterinarians have advocated vaccination once a week in stressful situations; a practice makes little sense scientifically or medically.

    An augmented immune response to vaccination is seen in dogs with pre-existing inhalant allergies (atopy) to pollens. Furthermore, the increasing current problems with allergic and immunological diseases have been linked to the introduction of MLV vaccines more than 20 years ago. While other environmental factors no doubt have a contributing role, the introduction of these vaccine antigens and their environmental shedding may provide the final insult that exceeds the immunological tolerance threshold of some individuals in the pet population. The accumulated evidence indicates that vaccination protocols should no longer be considered as a ?one size fits all? program.

    In cats, while adverse vaccine reactions may be less common, aggressive tumors (fibrosarcomas) can occasionally arise at the site of vaccination. A recent study from Italy reported finding similar tumors in dogs at the injection sites of vaccinations (Vascellari et al, 2003). These investigators stated that their ?study identified distinct similarities between canine fibrosarcomas from presumed injection sites and feline post-vaccinal fibrosarcomas, suggesting the possibility of the development of post-injection
    sarcomas not only in cats, but also in dogs?.

    Additionally, vaccination of pet and research dogs with polyvalent vaccines containing rabies virus or rabies vaccine alone was shown to induce production of antithyroglobulin autoantibodies, a provocative and important finding with implications for the subsequent development of hypothyroidism (Scott-Moncrieff et al, 2002).

    For these special cases, appropriate alternatives to current vaccine practices include:
    1) measuring serum antibody titers;
    2) avoidance of unnecessary vaccines or over vaccinating;
    3) caution in vaccinating sick or febrile individuals; and
    4) tailoring a specific minimal vaccination protocol for dogs of breeds or families known to be at increased risk for adverse reactions.
    5) considerations include starting the vaccination series later, such as at nine or ten weeks of age when the immune system is more able to handle antigenic challenge;
    6) alerting the caregiver to pay particular attention to the puppy's behavior and overall health after the second or subsequent boosters; and
    7) avoiding revaccination of individuals already experiencing a significant adverse event. Littermates of affected puppies should be closely monitored after receiving additional vaccines in a puppy series, as they too are at higher risk.

    Serologic Vaccine Titer Testing
    Some veterinarians have challenged the validity of using vaccine titer testing to assess the immunologic status of animals against the common, clinically important infectious diseases.

    With all due respect, this represents a misunderstanding of what has been called the ?fallacy of titer testing?, because research has shown that once an animal's titer stabilizes it is likely to remain constant for many years. Properly immunized animals have sterilizing immunity that not only prevents clinical disease but also prevents infection, and only the presence of antibody can prevent infection. As stated by eminent expert Dr. Ronald Schultz in discussing the value of vaccine titer testing, these tests ?show that an animal with a positive test has sterilizing immunity and should be protected from infection. If that animal were vaccinated it would not respond with a significant increase in antibody titer, but may develop a hypersensitivity to vaccine components (e.g. fetal bovine serum). Furthermore, the animal doesn't need to be revaccinated and should not be revaccinated since the vaccine could cause an adverse reaction (hypersensitivity disorder). You should avoid vaccinating animals that are already protected. It is often said that the antibody level detected is ?only a snapshot in time". That's simply not true; it is more a ?motion picture that plays for years".

    Furthermore, protection as indicated by a positive titer result is not likely to suddenly drop-off unless an animal develops a medical problem such as cancer or receives high or prolonged doses of immunosuppressive drugs. Viral vaccines prompt an immune response that lasts much longer than that elicited by classic antigen. Lack of distinction between the two kinds of responses may be why practitioners think titers can suddenly disappear.

    But, not all vaccines produce sterilizing immunity. Those that do include: distemper virus, adenovirus, and parvovirus in the dog, and panleukopenia virus in the cat. Examples of vaccines that produced non-sterile immunity would be leptospirosis, bordetella, rabies virus, herpesvirus and calicivirus --- the latter two being upper respiratory viruses of cats. While non-sterile immunity may not protect the animal from infection, it should keep the infection from progressing to severe clinical disease.

    Therefore, interpreting titers correctly depends upon the disease in question. Some titers must reach a certain level to indicate immunity, but with other agents like those that produce sterile immunity, the presence of any measurable antibody shows protection. The positive titer test result is fairly straightforward, but a negative titer test result is more difficult to interpret, because a negative titer is not the same thing as a zero titer and it doesn't necessarily mean that animal is unprotected. A negative result usually means the titer has failed to reach the threshold of providing sterile immunity. This is an important distinction, because for the clinically important distemper and parvovirus diseases of dogs, and panleukopenia of cats, a negative or zero antibody titer indicates that the animal is not protected against canine parvovirus and may not be protected against canine distemper virus or feline panleukopenia virus.

    Finally, what does more than a decade of experience with vaccine titer testing reveal ? Published studies in refereed journals show that 90-98% of dogs and cats that have been properly vaccinated develop good measurable antibody titers to the infectious agent measured. So, in contrast to the concerns of some practitioners, using vaccine titer testing as a means to assess vaccine-induced protection will likely result in the animal avoiding needless and unwise booster vaccinations.

    Our recent study (Twark and Dodds, 2000), evaluated 1441 dogs for CPV antibody titer and 1379 dogs for CDV antibody titer. Of these, 95.1 % were judged to have adequate CPV titers, and nearly all (97.6 %) had adequate CDV titers. Vaccine histories were available for 444 dogs (CPV) and 433 dogs (CDV). Only 43 dogs had been vaccinated within the previous year, with the majority of dogs (268 or 60%) having received a booster vaccination 1-2 years beforehand. On the basis of our data, we concluded that annual revaccination is unnecessary. Similar findings and conclusions have been published recently for dogs in New Zealand (Kyle et al, 2002), and cats (Scott and Geissinger, 1999; Lappin et al, 2002). Comprehensive studies of the duration of serologic response to five viral vaccine antigens in dogs and three viral vaccine antigens in cats were recently published by researchers at Pfizer Animal Health (Mouzin et al, 2004).
    When an adequate immune memory has already been established, there is little reason to introduce unnecessary antigen, adjuvant, and preservatives by administering booster vaccines. By titering triennially or more often, if needed, one can assess whether a given animal's humoral immune response has fallen below levels of adequate immune memory. In that event, an appropriate vaccine booster can be administered.
    Other Issues with Over Vaccination
    Other issues arise from over vaccination, as the increased cost in time and dollars spent needs to be considered, despite the well-intentioned solicitation of clients to encourage annual booster vaccinations so that pets also can receive a wellness examination. Giving annual boosters when they are not necessary has the client paying for a service which is likely to be of little benefit to the pet's existing level of protection against these infectious diseases. It also increases the risk of adverse reactions from the repeated exposure to foreign substances.

    Compliance or Resistence to Current Vaccine Guidelines ?
    For more than a decade, the issues discussed above on overvaccination and vaccine safety for companion animals have been raised by vaccinologists and veterinary clinicians. But, how has this still controversial knowledge impacted the veterinary profession and pet owner today? Have veterinarians really embraced the national policies on vaccination guidelines? Does the public trust veterinarians to be up-to-date on these issues or are they unsure? Do they believe veterinarians have a conflict of interest if they seek the income from annual booster vaccinations? Given media information regarding autism and measles vaccination, the public is more aware and worried about vaccine safety.
    Some veterinarians today still tell their clients there is no scientific evidence linking vaccinations with adverse effects and serious illness. This is ignorance, and confuses an impressionable client. On the other hand, vaccine zealots abound with hysteria and misinformation. None of these polarized views is helpful.

    Veterinarians are still routinely vaccinating ill dogs and those with chronic diseases or prior adverse vaccine reactions. This is especially problematic for rabies boosters, as many colleagues believe they have no legal alternative, even though the product label states it's intended for healthy animals. See www.rabieschallengefund.org

    New Breakthroughs
    Failure to standardize the legal mandate for rabies vaccinations nationwide is medically and scientifically unwarranted. The fact that individual states, counties and cities elect to mandate annual rabies boosters despite federally licensed three-year rabies vaccines is misguided.
    Now that Arkansa passed a new rabies law authorizing the State Health Department to establish rabies vaccination schedules which adopt a 3-year rabies protocol for dogs and cats (February 2009), Alabama just changed their rabies law to 3 years on August 1, 2009. However, some individual cities and counties still require annual rabies booster vaccination. For Cheyenne, WY and Wichita, KS, pressure from the public and the local veterinary associations effected a recent change to every three years.
    Despite these recent changes, the practice of rabies booster vaccination in these states and local areas has been left as optional at the discretion of the client's veterinarian. So this is a Catch-22 situation, because if the veterinarian still believes the rabies booster should be given annually instead of as licensed, they usually can talk their client into doing so.
    Rabies Vaccines and the USDA/CVB
    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). Currently, 14 rabies vaccines are labeled for use in dogs. These vaccines must meet the standard requirements established in the Title 9 Code of Federal Regulations. This requires that the vaccine provide a protected fraction of ? 83% when comparing vaccinated animals versus control animals. Also, all rabies vaccines are evaluated for safety prior to licensure, which includes performance of a field safety trial. Additionally, each serial of rabies vaccine is tested for potency by use of the National Institutes of Health potency test or another test approved by the CVB, and is tested for safety in the host and laboratory animals.

    Safety Review
    Before licensure, a product must be shown to be safe through a combination of safety evaluations. The field safety trial is the most comprehensive evaluation and has the objective of assessing the safety of the product in its target population under the conditions of its intended use. However, safety studies before licensure may not detect all safety concerns for a number of reasons, as follows: insufficient number of animals for low frequency events, insufficient duration of observation, sensitivities of subpopulations (eg, breed, reproductive status, and unintended species), or interactions with concomitantly administered products.

    State and Local Authority for Rabies Control Programs
    Although the CVB licenses veterinary biological products for use in the prevention of rabies, it is the state and local authorities govern and administer their respective rabies animal control programs. Some of these programs allow exemptions to the vaccination requirements, if medical concerns exist related to potential adverse events, but more commonly, others do not allow exemptions, regardless of the justification.

    Reporting Adverse Vaccine Reaction to Manufacturer and the Government
    There is no mandatory reporting of adverse reactions in veterinary medicine. The 2007 World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) Vaccine Guidelines states that there is: "gross under-reporting of vaccine-associated adverse events which impedes knowledge of the ongoing safety of these products." WSAVA 2007 Vaccine Guidelines http://www.wsava.org/SAC.htm,
    Even in humans, where mandatory reporting of adverse vaccine reactions is required, Dr. David Kessler, former head of the Food & Drug Administration, reported that "only about 1% of serious events are reported to the FDA". [JAMA .269:.2785, 1993]. This problem of under-reporting has persisted for many years.
    Despite the serious under-reporting of vaccinal adverse reactions, the 2008 Report from the USDA's CVB [JAVMA 232:1000-1002, 2008], states that between April 1, 2004 and March 31, 2007, they "requested manufacturers of rabies vaccines to provide adverse event report summaries for their products. During this period, nearly 10,000 adverse event reports (all animal species) were received by manufacturers of rabies vaccines. Approximately 65% of the manufacturer's reports involved dogs."
    The USDA/CVB 2008 Report further states that "Rabies vaccines are the most common group of biological products identified in adverse event reports received by the CVB." During the 3-year period covered in this report, the CVB received 246 adverse event reports for dogs in which a rabies vaccine was identified as one of the products administered. Reports were assessed for causality, and of these,

    217 reports were considered possibly related to ? 1 of the vaccines given, 7 were considered unlikely, and 22 were assessed as unknown. Of reports with age information (n = 206), 21.4% of the dogs were ? 6 months old, 33.5% were > 6 months old but ? 2 years old, and 45.1% were > 2 years old. Of reports with sex information (n = 209), 54.5% of the dogs were female.

    The following clinical terms were listed ?to describe possibly related adverse events in dogs vaccinated against rabies? and reported to the USDA/CVB between April 1, 2004-March 31, 2007. For 217 adverse event reports ? the clinical term is followed by the % of dogs affected:
    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%.

    The overall adverse report rate for rabies vaccines was determined to be 8.3 reports/100,000 doses sold. Adverse events considered possibly related to vaccination included acute hypersensitivity (59%); local reactions (27%); systemic reactions, which refers to short-term lethargy, fever, general pain, anorexia, or behavioral changes, with or without gastrointestinal disturbances starting within 3 days after vaccination (9%); autoimmune disorders (3%); and other (2%). In nearly 72% of the dogs of these reports, other vaccine or medicinal products were administered in conjunction with the rabies vaccine. In those instances, it was generally not possible to determine which product or products might be most closely linked to the adverse event. Additionally, in some instances, dogs had > 1 clinical sign, resulting in the coding of several clinical signs in a single report.

    But, IF one applied the only 1% estimated reporting figure of "serious" events from the former head of the FDA to the 10,000 adverse events reported for animal rabies vaccines, 65% of which were in dogs, then the actual number of dogs that had adverse reactions to the vaccine could be as high as 650,000 in that 3 year period with 3,575 (5.5%) of the dogs dying from their adverse reaction.

    Treatment of Vaccinosis
    The diagnosis of vaccinosis is an exclusionary one -- i.e. nothing will be found upon other testing to explain the symptoms. The animal is given the oral homeopathics, Thuja (for all vaccines other than rabies), and Lyssin to detox the rabies ?miasm?. IF there are no holistic veterinarians in the area, these homeopathics can be obtained from www.naturalrearing.com.

    Our therapy typically uses steroids in tapering doses over 4-6 weeks to stop the inflammatory process and clinical symptoms. Therapy begins with an injection of dexamethasone phosphate first, and if the animal improves right away, is continued with prednisone at 0.5 mg per pound twice daily for 5-7 days, then tapered gradually over the next month to every other day. The use of steroids will cause an increase in water intake and urination, but the animal should be able to handle the drug at these tapering doses for a few weeks. IF a holistic veterinarian wants to try an alternative therapy to steroids, this approach can also work. Try it for several days to see if it will work.

    We advise that these patients receive no further vaccine boosters, except for rabies, where exemption can be sought on a case-by-case basis but may not be granted in the specific locale.
    References

    ? Dodds WJ. More bumps on the vaccine road. Adv Vet Med 41:715-732, 1999.
    ? Dodds WJ. Vaccination protocols for dogs predisposed to vaccine reactions. J Am An Hosp Assoc 38: 1-4, 2001.
    ? Hogenesch H, Azcona-Olivera J, Scott-Moncreiff C, et al. Vaccine-induced autoimmunity in the dog. Adv Vet Med 41: 733-744, 1999.
    ? Hustead DR, Carpenter T, Sawyer DC, et al. Vaccination issues of concern to practitioners. J Am Vet Med Assoc 214: 1000-1002, 1999.
    ? Kyle AHM, Squires RA, Davies PR. Serologic status and response to vaccination against canine distemper (CDV) and canine parvovirus (CPV) of dogs vaccinated at different intervals. J Sm An Pract, June 2002.
    ? Lappin MR, Andrews J, Simpson D, et al. Use of serologic tests to predict resistance to feline herpesvirus 1, feline calicivirus, and feline parvovirus infection in cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc 220: 38-42, 2002.
    ? McGaw DL, Thompson M, Tate, D, et al. Serum distemper virus and parvovirus antibody titers among dogs brought to a veterinary hospital for revaccination. J Am Vet Med Assoc 213: 72-75, 1998.
    ? Moore GE, Glickman LT. A perspective on vaccine guidelines and titer tests for dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 224: 200-203. 2004.

    ? Moore et al, Adverse events diagnosed within three days of vaccine administration in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 227:1102?1108, 2005.

    ? Mouzin DE, Lorenzen M J, Haworth, et al. Duration of serologic response to five viral antigens in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 224: 55-60, 2004.
    ? Mouzin DE, Lorenzen M J, Haworth, et al. Duration of serologic response to three viral antigens in cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc 224: 61-66, 2004.
    ? Paul MA.Credibility in the face of controversy. Am An Hosp Assoc Trends Magazine XIV(2):19-21,1998.
    ? Paul MA (chair) et al. Report of the AAHA Canine Vaccine Task Force: 2003 canine vaccine guidelines, recommendations, and supporting literature. AAHA, April 2003, 28 pp.
    ? Paul MA (chair) et al. Report of the AAHA Canine Vaccine Task Force : 2006 AAHA Canine Vaccine Guidelines. J Am An Hosp Assoc 42:80-109, Mar-April 2006, 28 pp. www.aahanet.org
    ? Richards JR (chair) et al. The 2006 American Association of Feline Practitioners Feline Vaccine Advisory Report . J Am Vet Med Assoc 229:1405-1441, 2006. www.aafponline.org

    ? Schultz RD. Current and future canine and feline vaccination programs. Vet Med 93:233-254, 1998.
    ? Schultz RD, Ford RB, Olsen J, Scott F. Titer testing and vaccination: a new look at traditional practices. Vet Med, 97: 1-13, 2002 (insert).
    ? Scott FW, Geissinger CM. Long-term immunity in cats vaccinated with an inactivated trivalent vaccine. Am J Vet Res 60: 652-658, 1999.
    ? Scott-Moncrieff JC, Azcona-Olivera J, Glickman NW, et al. Evaluation of antithyroglobulin antibodies after routine vaccination in pet and research dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 221: 515-521, 2002.
    ? Smith CA. Are we vaccinating too much? J Am Vet Med Assoc 207:421-425, 1995.
    ? Tizard I, Ni Y. Use of serologic testing to assess immune status of companion animals. J Am Vet Med Assoc 213: 54-60, 1998.
    ? Twark L, Dodds WJ. Clinical application of serum parvovirus and distemper virus antibody titers for determining revaccination strategies in healthy dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 217:1021-1024, 2000.
    ? Vascellari M, Melchiotti E, Bozza MA et al. Fibrosarcomas at presumed sites of injection in dogs: characteristics and comparison with non-vaccination site fibrosarcomas and feline post-vaccinal firosarcomas. J Vet Med 50 (6): 286-291, 2003.

    CANINE VACCINE ADVERSE EVENTS *
    ? retrospective cohort study; 1.25 million dogs vaccinated at 360 veterinary hospitals
    ? 38 adverse events per 10,000 dogs vaccinated
    ? inversely related to dog weight
    ? vaccines prescribed on a 1-dose-fits-all basis, rather than by body weight.
    ? increased for dogs up to 2 yr of age, then declined
    ? greater for neutered versus sexually intact dogs
    ? increased as number of vaccines given together increased
    ? increased after the 3 rd or 4 th vaccination
    ? genetic predisposition to adverse events documented
    _____________________________________________________________
    * from Moore et al, JAVMA 227:1102?1108, 2005

    VACCINE CONCLUSIONS FOR CANINES *
    Factors that increase risk of adverse events 3 days after vaccination:

    ? young adult age
    ? small-breed size
    ? neutering
    ? multiple vaccines given per visit
    These risks should be communicated to clients
    _______________________________________________________
    * from Moore et al, JAVMA 227:1102?1108, 2005

    FELINE VACCINE ADVERSE EVENTS *
    ? retrospective cohort study; 0.5 million cats vaccinated at 329 veterinary hospitals
    ? 51.6 adverse events per 10,000 cats vaccinated
    ? inversely related to cat weight
    ? increased for cats about 1 yr of age
    ? greater for neutered versus sexually intact cats
    ? increased as number of vaccines given together increased
    ? Lethargy with or without fever was most common sign
    _________________________________________________
    * from Moore et al, JAVMA 231:94-100, 2007

    VACCINE CONCLUSIONS FOR FELINES *
    Factors that increase risk of adverse events 30 days after vaccination:
    ? young adult age
    ? neutering
    ? multiple vaccines given per visit
    These risks should be communicated to clients, and the number
    of vaccines administered concurrently limited
    _______________________________________________________
    * from Moore et al, JAVMA 231:94-100, 2007
  • concerned pet owner Dec 10, 2011 @ 11:00 am | delete
    CLINICAL APPROACHES TO MANAGING AND TREATING ADVERSE VACCINE REACTIONS
    W. Jean Dodds, DVM
    HEMOPET
    938 Stanford Street
    Santa Monica, CA 90403
    (310) 828-4804;FAX (310)-453-5240
    www.hemopet.org; hemopet@hotmail.com

    Background
    There is no doubt that application of modern vaccine technology has permitted us to protect companion animals effectively against serious infectious diseases.

    Viral disease and recent vaccination with single or combination modified live-virus (MLV) vaccines, especially those containing distemper virus, adenovirus 1 or 2, and parvovirus are increasingly recognized contributors, albeit relatively rare, to immune-mediated blood disease, bone marrow failure, and organ dysfunction. Potent adjuvanted killed vaccines like those for rabies virus also can trigger immediate and delayed (vaccinosis) adverse vaccine reactions. Genetic predisposition to these disorders in humans has been linked to the leucocyte antigen D-related gene locus of the major histocompatibility complex, and is likely to have parallel associations in domestic animals.

    It must be recognized, however, that we have the luxury of asking such questions today only because the risk of disease has been effectively reduced by the widespread use of vaccination programs.

    Adverse Events Associated with Vaccination
    The clinical signs associated with vaccine reactions typically include fever, stiffness, sore joints and abdominal tenderness, susceptibility to infections, neurological disorders and encephalitis, collapse with autoagglutinated red blood cells and icterus (autoimmune hemolytic anemia, AIHA, also called immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, IMHA), or generalized petechiae and ecchymotic hemorrhages (immune-mediated thrombocytopenia , ITP). Hepatic enzymes may be markedly elevated, and liver or kidney failure may occur by itself or accompany bone marrow suppression.

    Furthermore, MLV vaccination has been associated with the development of transient seizures in puppies and adult dogs of breeds or cross-breeds susceptible to immune-mediated diseases especially those involving hematologic or endocrine tissues (e.g. AIHA, ITP, autoimmune thyroiditis). Post-vaccinal polyneuropathy is a recognized entity associated occasionally with the use of distemper, parvovirus, rabies and presumably other vaccines. This can result in various clinical signs including muscular atrophy, inhibition or interruption of neuronal control of tissue and organ function, muscular excitation, incoordination and weakness, as well as seizures.

    Certain breeds or families of dogs appear to be more susceptible to adverse vaccine reactions, particularly post-vaccinal seizures, high fevers, and painful episodes of hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD). Therefore, we have the responsibility to advise companion animal breeders and caregivers of the potential for genetically susceptible littermates and relatives to be at increased risk for similar adverse vaccine reactions. In popular (or rare) inbred and linebred animals, the breed in general can be at increased risk as illustrated in the examples below.

    Polyvalent MLV vaccines which multiply in the host elicit a stronger antigenic challenge to the animal and should mount a more effective and sustained immune response. However, this can overwhelm the immunocompromised or even a healthy host that has ongoing exposure to other environmental stimuli as well as a genetic predisposition that promotes adverse response to viral challenge. The recently weaned young puppy or kitten being placed in a new environment may be at particular risk. Furthermore, while the frequency of vaccinations is usually spaced 2-3 weeks apart, some veterinarians have advocated vaccination once a week in stressful situations; a practice makes little sense scientifically or medically.

    An augmented immune response to vaccination is seen in dogs with pre-existing inhalant allergies (atopy) to pollens. Furthermore, the increasing current problems with allergic and immunological diseases have been linked to the introduction of MLV vaccines more than 20 years ago. While other environmental factors no doubt have a contributing role, the introduction of these vaccine antigens and their environmental shedding may provide the final insult that exceeds the immunological tolerance threshold of some individuals in the pet population. The accumulated evidence indicates that vaccination protocols should no longer be considered as a ?one size fits all? program.

    In cats, while adverse vaccine reactions may be less common, aggressive tumors (fibrosarcomas) can occasionally arise at the site of vaccination. A recent study from Italy reported finding similar tumors in dogs at the injection sites of vaccinations (Vascellari et al, 2003). These investigators stated that their ?study identified distinct similarities between canine fibrosarcomas from presumed injection sites and feline post-vaccinal fibrosarcomas, suggesting the possibility of the development of post-injection
    sarcomas not only in cats, but also in dogs?.

    Additionally, vaccination of pet and research dogs with polyvalent vaccines containing rabies virus or rabies vaccine alone was shown to induce production of antithyroglobulin autoantibodies, a provocative and important finding with implications for the subsequent development of hypothyroidism (Scott-Moncrieff et al, 2002).

    For these special cases, appropriate alternatives to current vaccine practices include:
    1) measuring serum antibody titers;
    2) avoidance of unnecessary vaccines or over vaccinating;
    3) caution in vaccinating sick or febrile individuals; and
    4) tailoring a specific minimal vaccination protocol for dogs of breeds or families known to be at increased risk for adverse reactions.
    5) considerations include starting the vaccination series later, such as at nine or ten weeks of age when the immune system is more able to handle antigenic challenge;
    6) alerting the caregiver to pay particular attention to the puppy's behavior and overall health after the second or subsequent boosters; and
    7) avoiding revaccination of individuals already experiencing a significant adverse event. Littermates of affected puppies should be closely monitored after receiving additional vaccines in a puppy series, as they too are at higher risk.

    Serologic Vaccine Titer Testing
    Some veterinarians have challenged the validity of using vaccine titer testing to assess the immunologic status of animals against the common, clinically important infectious diseases.

    With all due respect, this represents a misunderstanding of what has been called the ?fallacy of titer testing?, because research has shown that once an animal's titer stabilizes it is likely to remain constant for many years. Properly immunized animals have sterilizing immunity that not only prevents clinical disease but also prevents infection, and only the presence of antibody can prevent infection. As stated by eminent expert Dr. Ronald Schultz in discussing the value of vaccine titer testing, these tests ?show that an animal with a positive test has sterilizing immunity and should be protected from infection. If that animal were vaccinated it would not respond with a significant increase in antibody titer, but may develop a hypersensitivity to vaccine components (e.g. fetal bovine serum). Furthermore, the animal doesn't need to be revaccinated and should not be revaccinated since the vaccine could cause an adverse reaction (hypersensitivity disorder). You should avoid vaccinating animals that are already protected. It is often said that the antibody level detected is ?only a snapshot in time". That's simply not true; it is more a ?motion picture that plays for years".

    Furthermore, protection as indicated by a positive titer result is not likely to suddenly drop-off unless an animal develops a medical problem such as cancer or receives high or prolonged doses of immunosuppressive drugs. Viral vaccines prompt an immune response that lasts much longer than that elicited by classic antigen. Lack of distinction between the two kinds of responses may be why practitioners think titers can suddenly disappear.

    But, not all vaccines produce sterilizing immunity. Those that do include: distemper virus, adenovirus, and parvovirus in the dog, and panleukopenia virus in the cat. Examples of vaccines that produced non-sterile immunity would be leptospirosis, bordetella, rabies virus, herpesvirus and calicivirus --- the latter two being upper respiratory viruses of cats. While non-sterile immunity may not protect the animal from infection, it should keep the infection from progressing to severe clinical disease.

    Therefore, interpreting titers correctly depends upon the disease in question. Some titers must reach a certain level to indicate immunity, but with other agents like those that produce sterile immunity, the presence of any measurable antibody shows protection. The positive titer test result is fairly straightforward, but a negative titer test result is more difficult to interpret, because a negative titer is not the same thing as a zero titer and it doesn't necessarily mean that animal is unprotected. A negative result usually means the titer has failed to reach the threshold of providing sterile immunity. This is an important distinction, because for the clinically important distemper and parvovirus diseases of dogs, and panleukopenia of cats, a negative or zero antibody titer indicates that the animal is not protected against canine parvovirus and may not be protected against canine distemper virus or feline panleukopenia virus.

    Finally, what does more than a decade of experience with vaccine titer testing reveal ? Published studies in refereed journals show that 90-98% of dogs and cats that have been properly vaccinated develop good measurable antibody titers to the infectious agent measured. So, in contrast to the concerns of some practitioners, using vaccine titer testing as a means to assess vaccine-induced protection will likely result in the animal avoiding needless and unwise booster vaccinations.

    Our recent study (Twark and Dodds, 2000), evaluated 1441 dogs for CPV antibody titer and 1379 dogs for CDV antibody titer. Of these, 95.1 % were judged to have adequate CPV titers, and nearly all (97.6 %) had adequate CDV titers. Vaccine histories were available for 444 dogs (CPV) and 433 dogs (CDV). Only 43 dogs had been vaccinated within the previous year, with the majority of dogs (268 or 60%) having received a booster vaccination 1-2 years beforehand. On the basis of our data, we concluded that annual revaccination is unnecessary. Similar findings and conclusions have been published recently for dogs in New Zealand (Kyle et al, 2002), and cats (Scott and Geissinger, 1999; Lappin et al, 2002). Comprehensive studies of the duration of serologic response to five viral vaccine antigens in dogs and three viral vaccine antigens in cats were recently published by researchers at Pfizer Animal Health (Mouzin et al, 2004).
    When an adequate immune memory has already been established, there is little reason to introduce unnecessary antigen, adjuvant, and preservatives by administering booster vaccines. By titering triennially or more often, if needed, one can assess whether a given animal's humoral immune response has fallen below levels of adequate immune memory. In that event, an appropriate vaccine booster can be administered.
    Other Issues with Over Vaccination
    Other issues arise from over vaccination, as the increased cost in time and dollars spent needs to be considered, despite the well-intentioned solicitation of clients to encourage annual booster vaccinations so that pets also can receive a wellness examination. Giving annual boosters when they are not necessary has the client paying for a service which is likely to be of little benefit to the pet's existing level of protection against these infectious diseases. It also increases the risk of adverse reactions from the repeated exposure to foreign substances.

    Compliance or Resistence to Current Vaccine Guidelines ?
    For more than a decade, the issues discussed above on overvaccination and vaccine safety for companion animals have been raised by vaccinologists and veterinary clinicians. But, how has this still controversial knowledge impacted the veterinary profession and pet owner today? Have veterinarians really embraced the national policies on vaccination guidelines? Does the public trust veterinarians to be up-to-date on these issues or are they unsure? Do they believe veterinarians have a conflict of interest if they seek the income from annual booster vaccinations? Given media information regarding autism and measles vaccination, the public is more aware and worried about vaccine safety.
    Some veterinarians today still tell their clients there is no scientific evidence linking vaccinations with adverse effects and serious illness. This is ignorance, and confuses an impressionable client. On the other hand, vaccine zealots abound with hysteria and misinformation. None of these polarized views is helpful.

    Veterinarians are still routinely vaccinating ill dogs and those with chronic diseases or prior adverse vaccine reactions. This is especially problematic for rabies boosters, as many colleagues believe they have no legal alternative, even though the product label states it's intended for healthy animals. See www.rabieschallengefund.org

    New Breakthroughs
    Failure to standardize the legal mandate for rabies vaccinations nationwide is medically and scientifically unwarranted. The fact that individual states, counties and cities elect to mandate annual rabies boosters despite federally licensed three-year rabies vaccines is misguided.
    Now that Arkansa passed a new rabies law authorizing the State Health Department to establish rabies vaccination schedules which adopt a 3-year rabies protocol for dogs and cats (February 2009), Alabama just changed their rabies law to 3 years on August 1, 2009. However, some individual cities and counties still require annual rabies booster vaccination. For Cheyenne, WY and Wichita, KS, pressure from the public and the local veterinary associations effected a recent change to every three years.
    Despite these recent changes, the practice of rabies booster vaccination in these states and local areas has been left as optional at the discretion of the client's veterinarian. So this is a Catch-22 situation, because if the veterinarian still believes the rabies booster should be given annually instead of as licensed, they usually can talk their client into doing so.
    Rabies Vaccines and the USDA/CVB
    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). Currently, 14 rabies vaccines are labeled for use in dogs. These vaccines must meet the standard requirements established in the Title 9 Code of Federal Regulations. This requires that the vaccine provide a protected fraction of ? 83% when comparing vaccinated animals versus control animals. Also, all rabies vaccines are evaluated for safety prior to licensure, which includes performance of a field safety trial. Additionally, each serial of rabies vaccine is tested for potency by use of the National Institutes of Health potency test or another test approved by the CVB, and is tested for safety in the host and laboratory animals.

    Safety Review
    Before licensure, a product must be shown to be safe through a combination of safety evaluations. The field safety trial is the most comprehensive evaluation and has the objective of assessing the safety of the product in its target population under the conditions of its intended use. However, safety studies before licensure may not detect all safety concerns for a number of reasons, as follows: insufficient number of animals for low frequency events, insufficient duration of observation, sensitivities of subpopulations (eg, breed, reproductive status, and unintended species), or interactions with concomitantly administered products.

    State and Local Authority for Rabies Control Programs
    Although the CVB licenses veterinary biological products for use in the prevention of rabies, it is the state and local authorities govern and administer their respective rabies animal control programs. Some of these programs allow exemptions to the vaccination requirements, if medical concerns exist related to potential adverse events, but more commonly, others do not allow exemptions, regardless of the justification.

    Reporting Adverse Vaccine Reaction to Manufacturer and the Government
    There is no mandatory reporting of adverse reactions in veterinary medicine. The 2007 World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) Vaccine Guidelines states that there is: "gross under-reporting of vaccine-associated adverse events which impedes knowledge of the ongoing safety of these products." WSAVA 2007 Vaccine Guidelines http://www.wsava.org/SAC.htm,
    Even in humans, where mandatory reporting of adverse vaccine reactions is required, Dr. David Kessler, former head of the Food & Drug Administration, reported that "only about 1% of serious events are reported to the FDA". [JAMA .269:.2785, 1993]. This problem of under-reporting has persisted for many years.
    Despite the serious under-reporting of vaccinal adverse reactions, the 2008 Report from the USDA's CVB [JAVMA 232:1000-1002, 2008], states that between April 1, 2004 and March 31, 2007, they "requested manufacturers of rabies vaccines to provide adverse event report summaries for their products. During this period, nearly 10,000 adverse event reports (all animal species) were received by manufacturers of rabies vaccines. Approximately 65% of the manufacturer's reports involved dogs."
    The USDA/CVB 2008 Report further states that "Rabies vaccines are the most common group of biological products identified in adverse event reports received by the CVB." During the 3-year period covered in this report, the CVB received 246 adverse event reports for dogs in which a rabies vaccine was identified as one of the products administered. Reports were assessed for causality, and of these,

    217 reports were considered possibly related to ? 1 of the vaccines given, 7 were considered unlikely, and 22 were assessed as unknown. Of reports with age information (n = 206), 21.4% of the dogs were ? 6 months old, 33.5% were > 6 months old but ? 2 years old, and 45.1% were > 2 years old. Of reports with sex information (n = 209), 54.5% of the dogs were female.

    The following clinical terms were listed ?to describe possibly related adverse events in dogs vaccinated against rabies? and reported to the USDA/CVB between April 1, 2004-March 31, 2007. For 217 adverse event reports ? the clinical term is followed by the % of dogs affected:
    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%.

    The overall adverse report rate for rabies vaccines was determined to be 8.3 reports/100,000 doses sold. Adverse events considered possibly related to vaccination included acute hypersensitivity (59%); local reactions (27%); systemic reactions, which refers to short-term lethargy, fever, general pain, anorexia, or behavioral changes, with or without gastrointestinal disturbances starting within 3 days after vaccination (9%); autoimmune disorders (3%); and other (2%). In nearly 72% of the dogs of these reports, other vaccine or medicinal products were administered in conjunction with the rabies vaccine. In those instances, it was generally not possible to determine which product or products might be most closely linked to the adverse event. Additionally, in some instances, dogs had > 1 clinical sign, resulting in the coding of several clinical signs in a single report.

    But, IF one applied the only 1% estimated reporting figure of "serious" events from the former head of the FDA to the 10,000 adverse events reported for animal rabies vaccines, 65% of which were in dogs, then the actual number of dogs that had adverse reactions to the vaccine could be as high as 650,000 in that 3 year period with 3,575 (5.5%) of the dogs dying from their adverse reaction.

    Treatment of Vaccinosis
    The diagnosis of vaccinosis is an exclusionary one -- i.e. nothing will be found upon other testing to explain the symptoms. The animal is given the oral homeopathics, Thuja (for all vaccines other than rabies), and Lyssin to detox the rabies ?miasm?. IF there are no holistic veterinarians in the area, these homeopathics can be obtained from www.naturalrearing.com.

    Our therapy typically uses steroids in tapering doses over 4-6 weeks to stop the inflammatory process and clinical symptoms. Therapy begins with an injection of dexamethasone phosphate first, and if the animal improves right away, is continued with prednisone at 0.5 mg per pound twice daily for 5-7 days, then tapered gradually over the next month to every other day. The use of steroids will cause an increase in water intake and urination, but the animal should be able to handle the drug at these tapering doses for a few weeks. IF a holistic veterinarian wants to try an alternative therapy to steroids, this approach can also work. Try it for several days to see if it will work.

    We advise that these patients receive no further vaccine boosters, except for rabies, where exemption can be sought on a case-by-case basis but may not be granted in the specific locale.
    References

    ? Dodds WJ. More bumps on the vaccine road. Adv Vet Med 41:715-732, 1999.
    ? Dodds WJ. Vaccination protocols for dogs predisposed to vaccine reactions. J Am An Hosp Assoc 38: 1-4, 2001.
    ? Hogenesch H, Azcona-Olivera J, Scott-Moncreiff C, et al. Vaccine-induced autoimmunity in the dog. Adv Vet Med 41: 733-744, 1999.
    ? Hustead DR, Carpenter T, Sawyer DC, et al. Vaccination issues of concern to practitioners. J Am Vet Med Assoc 214: 1000-1002, 1999.
    ? Kyle AHM, Squires RA, Davies PR. Serologic status and response to vaccination against canine distemper (CDV) and canine parvovirus (CPV) of dogs vaccinated at different intervals. J Sm An Pract, June 2002.
    ? Lappin MR, Andrews J, Simpson D, et al. Use of serologic tests to predict resistance to feline herpesvirus 1, feline calicivirus, and feline parvovirus infection in cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc 220: 38-42, 2002.
    ? McGaw DL, Thompson M, Tate, D, et al. Serum distemper virus and parvovirus antibody titers among dogs brought to a veterinary hospital for revaccination. J Am Vet Med Assoc 213: 72-75, 1998.
    ? Moore GE, Glickman LT. A perspective on vaccine guidelines and titer tests for dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 224: 200-203. 2004.

    ? Moore et al, Adverse events diagnosed within three days of vaccine administration in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 227:1102?1108, 2005.

    ? Mouzin DE, Lorenzen M J, Haworth, et al. Duration of serologic response to five viral antigens in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 224: 55-60, 2004.
    ? Mouzin DE, Lorenzen M J, Haworth, et al. Duration of serologic response to three viral antigens in cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc 224: 61-66, 2004.
    ? Paul MA.Credibility in the face of controversy. Am An Hosp Assoc Trends Magazine XIV(2):19-21,1998.
    ? Paul MA (chair) et al. Report of the AAHA Canine Vaccine Task Force: 2003 canine vaccine guidelines, recommendations, and supporting literature. AAHA, April 2003, 28 pp.
    ? Paul MA (chair) et al. Report of the AAHA Canine Vaccine Task Force : 2006 AAHA Canine Vaccine Guidelines. J Am An Hosp Assoc 42:80-109, Mar-April 2006, 28 pp. www.aahanet.org
    ? Richards JR (chair) et al. The 2006 American Association of Feline Practitioners Feline Vaccine Advisory Report . J Am Vet Med Assoc 229:1405-1441, 2006. www.aafponline.org

    ? Schultz RD. Current and future canine and feline vaccination programs. Vet Med 93:233-254, 1998.
    ? Schultz RD, Ford RB, Olsen J, Scott F. Titer testing and vaccination: a new look at traditional practices. Vet Med, 97: 1-13, 2002 (insert).
    ? Scott FW, Geissinger CM. Long-term immunity in cats vaccinated with an inactivated trivalent vaccine. Am J Vet Res 60: 652-658, 1999.
    ? Scott-Moncrieff JC, Azcona-Olivera J, Glickman NW, et al. Evaluation of antithyroglobulin antibodies after routine vaccination in pet and research dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 221: 515-521, 2002.
    ? Smith CA. Are we vaccinating too much? J Am Vet Med Assoc 207:421-425, 1995.
    ? Tizard I, Ni Y. Use of serologic testing to assess immune status of companion animals. J Am Vet Med Assoc 213: 54-60, 1998.
    ? Twark L, Dodds WJ. Clinical application of serum parvovirus and distemper virus antibody titers for determining revaccination strategies in healthy dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 217:1021-1024, 2000.
    ? Vascellari M, Melchiotti E, Bozza MA et al. Fibrosarcomas at presumed sites of injection in dogs: characteristics and comparison with non-vaccination site fibrosarcomas and feline post-vaccinal firosarcomas. J Vet Med 50 (6): 286-291, 2003.

    CANINE VACCINE ADVERSE EVENTS *
    ? retrospective cohort study; 1.25 million dogs vaccinated at 360 veterinary hospitals
    ? 38 adverse events per 10,000 dogs vaccinated
    ? inversely related to dog weight
    ? vaccines prescribed on a 1-dose-fits-all basis, rather than by body weight.
    ? increased for dogs up to 2 yr of age, then declined
    ? greater for neutered versus sexually intact dogs
    ? increased as number of vaccines given together increased
    ? increased after the 3 rd or 4 th vaccination
    ? genetic predisposition to adverse events documented
    _____________________________________________________________
    * from Moore et al, JAVMA 227:1102?1108, 2005

    VACCINE CONCLUSIONS FOR CANINES *
    Factors that increase risk of adverse events 3 days after vaccination:

    ? young adult age
    ? small-breed size
    ? neutering
    ? multiple vaccines given per visit
    These risks should be communicated to clients
    _______________________________________________________
    * from Moore et al, JAVMA 227:1102?1108, 2005

    FELINE VACCINE ADVERSE EVENTS *
    ? retrospective cohort study; 0.5 million cats vaccinated at 329 veterinary hospitals
    ? 51.6 adverse events per 10,000 cats vaccinated
    ? inversely related to cat weight
    ? increased for cats about 1 yr of age
    ? greater for neutered versus sexually intact cats
    ? increased as number of vaccines given together increased
    ? Lethargy with or without fever was most common sign
    _________________________________________________
    * from Moore et al, JAVMA 231:94-100, 2007

    VACCINE CONCLUSIONS FOR FELINES *
    Factors that increase risk of adverse events 30 days after vaccination:
    ? young adult age
    ? neutering
    ? multiple vaccines given per visit
    These risks should be communicated to clients, and the number
    of vaccines administered concurrently limited
    _______________________________________________________
    * from Moore et al, JAVMA 231:94-100, 2007
  • Teresa Dec 7, 2011 @ 10:01 pm | delete
    I gave my German shepherd the rabies vaccine. She became aggressive toward other dogs and foamed at the mouth during walks. I did not the it to the vaccine until I gave her her next vaccine at five years old and within one week, she visciously attacked my four year old child. I think she would ave killed my child if I had not been there. So sad as they had grown up together. Thankfully my child has recovered but we had to euthanize the other member of the family. Damn rabies vaccine.
  • Cindy Bell Nov 25, 2011 @ 9:09 am | delete
    Dear Jan, Thank you so much for all that you are doing to get the work out. I love your video, but found it too late for our male dog. He died in one week after a rabies vaccine given to him by the Vet who gave him a clean bill of health prior to administering the vaccine last Tuesday. He was not eating by Sunday night, and was no longer his bouncing, bubbly self. So Monday when we took him to the vet to have the lack of appetite, and energy noted in his file, we were shocked to hear that his red blood cell count was at 17, and he was on deaths door. His gums were yellow and he began to urinate blood! The vet gave him steroids to boost his immune system, and a blood transfusion to hold him over until the meds could kick in. He said the transfusion we will generally see an increase in red blood cells, but Toby's levels dropped to 10. So on Tuesday morning he was given another blood transfusion and again continued to fail! By Tuesday eve the vet said Toby was totally unresponsive and if he should improve at that point (to which he said was slim to none)? he would never be the same. It gave us no choice but to put him down. He never leaves our sight, or our fenced yard, (Except for his shots) He eats home made food. His white blood cell count was good, and the vet said there was no internal bleeding. We can not come up with any other explanation for his sudden death other then the rabies vaccine last Tuesday! Our female did not get the shot and she is fine! Our vet never told us that there is a test to see if they really need the vaccine, or that you can request it without mercury! I was shocked to realize there are worse side effects then death!
    A woman just posted that her vaccinated dog just killed her other dog 4 days after a Rabies vaccine! She said the dogs had been together for years without any problems.
    She may have to have the vaccinated dog put down, if she has small children in the house, so she may lose both dogs in a heart beat!
    I like most people, work full time and do not have the time to fight for my dogs rights. I read that the reaction should be reported to the drug company by our Vet, and when telling the vet what I read, he asked me to send him the link? So it seems he is not aware or ever plans to report side effects to anyone!
  • Michelle Nov 4, 2011 @ 3:45 pm | delete
    My cat was sterilised and given the rabies vaccine straight after by the vet when she was still poor after the surgery. She was even given 2 other vaccines at same time. 2 hrs later she died in my arms after vomiting the night before and slowly becoming paralysed. The last stage happened very quickly. I did not know that you shouldn't give the vaccine after surgery I trusted the vet that he knew what he did, and that you should not combine vaccines but when I read this article I feel more assure that the vet did wrong. No words can explain the heartbreak i feel as I think this vet acted extremely irresponsible.
  • Dog_Guy Oct 13, 2011 @ 1:38 am | delete
    you brought up a couple of points very few people know - that cats can get rabies and that it is supposed to be extinct in 2007. I guess thats why they still make it compulsory but of course that doesnt include stray dogs. Thanks for the information!
  • TheGourmetCoffeeGuy Oct 9, 2011 @ 3:14 am | delete
    Very good information, interesting lens, deal with the vaccination matter yearly for our Siberian Huskies and it is a concern but a requirement to do as responsible dog owners. Thankfully, have not had to deal with serious reactions or emergencies. thank you for sharing. your insights.
  • Kristen Sep 22, 2011 @ 12:55 pm | delete
    My now 10yr old lab had 1st booster shot along with rabies shot in 2003 and then again had booster along with rabies shots on Aug 27th 2004. Well in Oct 7 2004 she developed chronic ear infections along with itchiness and licking hot spots. Vet told me she had allergies. She has gotten progressively worse to the point of extreme hair loss and scaly black crusty skin mainly on her whole belly. Feel very bad for her. I've tried everything but nothing seemed to help. I never even thought that her vaccinations could have caused this problem. Now I know why there are so many dog food products coming out on the market for dogs labelled with allergies.

    Just brough home another lab puppy. The breeder gave her first booster, but that is all she will be getting. Even though the vets tell me how labs are prone to so many health problems including allergies...ya right
  • profilesincolor Jun 28, 2011 @ 3:41 pm | delete
    Thoughtful lens. Thanks for sharing!
  • AMK Jun 25, 2011 @ 2:07 am | delete
    found this squid via google. did not even search on squidoo so thats good for you to know! otherwize: my belgian shepherd got the rabies vacination last week and he vomited all day. he even became over agressive to strangers. Now he seems fine although eats less? Vet says its not the vacination, but I am inclined to disagree since he is normaly a very calm dog for the groendahl breed.
  • smithlights Jun 17, 2011 @ 11:06 pm | delete
    Hmmmm... I've never really heard this. I know with any vaccine there are risks, but I didn't realize it was so bad with rabies. All 4 of my dogs have had the vaccine, and we've had no reaction.
  • Camille Puckett Jun 7, 2011 @ 7:34 am | delete
    You need to spend more space discussing VAS in cats. It killed my cat and many, many more. We tried to do what is best for them and it comes back to take their lives.
  • speaktolearn Jun 5, 2011 @ 10:02 am | delete
    I guess I have to be more careful with my pet.
  • Caral Jun 1, 2011 @ 8:05 pm | delete
    our cat was taken to the vet for her asmatha shot and we told the vet to not give Lilly a rabies shot because she has experienced adverse reactions to it before. He was less then kind when we refused the shot. He told us he would report us to the town if we refused. He did report us and we were forced to have Lilly vacinated and guess what she did have an adverse reaction to the shot. Our hands are tied with this vet "Mr. God"
  • Janice May 20, 2011 @ 10:06 am | delete
    I gave took my dog, Tina, to the vet to have her rabies vaccine on May 3. We had to put her down on May 18. Within 36 hours she began having muscle issues and her back legs both went out from under her. I got her up and walking. She continued to walk strangely on one leg, but the other seemed stronger. She was eating and had not other difficulties so we just watched her and kept her going. Within a week, she suddenly stopped eating most of her food and she began limping on the other leg. I made an appointment with a specialist to take her in thinking something had happened to her. She had a malignant carcinoma removed a year ago and they thought they got it all. The morning of her appointment she got up at 3:30 am to go to the bathroom. It is the last time she was able to stand on her back legs. She started throwing up, had a seizure, and starting wetting herself. I am absolutely beside myself and just don't understand how this happened. She went from being an active dog, running and playing tug of war, rough housing with my husband to having to be put down within 2 weeks. The specialist said her nervous system had been affected and she would never fully recover. She would have to be on medication for the seizures and she would not recover the use of her back legs. They gave her the vaccine (a different vet) in her rear leg/hip area. I have no way of proving is was the vaccine, but I believe it is too coincidental.
  • itsmuzza2011 May 19, 2011 @ 3:24 am | delete
    not ever needed to give my animals one so far, ive probably needed one myself but i am mad after all, great lens very good information and im sure people will take a lot from it well done
  • pawpaw911 May 11, 2011 @ 2:49 pm | delete
    Just did a lens on Top 20 reasons you might be a Crazy Cat Lady, so I thought I would check out some other animal lenses. Nice lens! good information.
  • bames24 Apr 29, 2011 @ 12:33 am | delete
    thanks for the info. :)
  • Debbie Apr 25, 2011 @ 2:40 pm | delete
    Wow, I can't beleive what I am reading. You see I just went through all of this with my Pug, who was my bestfriend. His name was Norman. He was fine Saturday morning, We took him and our other dog to the vets for their shots. Our other dogs name is Jinxy. He is an English Cocker Spainel. Jinxy is in great shape, but Norman was a rescue dog so we didn't know everything about his background. But we did know that he was partallly paralized from about mid to lower back. He did have feeling in his hind legs but he dragged them. We tried putting him in a wheelchair, But poor Norman kept ending up with one wheel on the wall and one on the floor! He only had one eye too so I don't know if that had anything to do with it or not. But he was loved so very much by both my husband and myself. You see, I have MS and I can't do to much anymore and Norman was very happy just to be wheerever I was. Anyways, We took both the dogs up to the vets to get their shots. I told the vet that I thought Norman was urinating more then normal, (I had to help him both pee and poop) because he could not go to the bathroom by himself. So She took a urine sample. Both dogs got their rabies shots and everything seemed fine. They gave me a precription for some antibiotics for Norman and said if he starts throwing up, give him some yogart. well, I gave Norman his medicine and sure enough a few hours later he started throwing up and I don't mean just a little bit. It was a lot. But I trusted my vet and I put him on our bed where he always sleeps (right next to me) and the next morning our bed was covered in vomit. I tried his medicine one more time and he threw up like a volcano. I called my vet and told her the yogart thing wasn't working and what should I do? They decided to change his medicine, but it was to late, by that night he was no longer eating anything. Not even his favorite dog biscut. I decided to call the vet the very next morning and bring him to her to see what could be done. Well, when I woke up, Norman was in a grand mal seizure, he wa so stiff I thought he was dead until I heard him do a little snort. I immedeitly called my vet and she told me not to take him there that he needed to see a neuroligist that was is an hour or two away, I knew I didn't have that much time. She finally said you can take him to another hospital that had an emergency room but she had delt with dogs that had seizures before and she refused to help Norman, Her patient! She said she had appointments coming in about every twenty minutes. So I hung up and called my husband who came home from work imedeitalty. We took Norman to the other animal hospital where they tried very hard to save his life, but it was to late. He had another grand mal seizure and you could tell the life in him was gone. So I asked the vet what should we do and she said if it was her dog she would mercifly put him to sleep. I cried and cried, but I knew I had to let my bestfriend go. They brought him in for a last visit with my husband and I. I held him as they put him to sleep. I knew when he was gone because he had stopped snorting. But the vet had to check his heart anyways. We brought our baby boy home and daddy made him a beautiful wooden casket, handles and all. and I completly finished the inside with blue and silver silk cloth. He had a mattress, blanket and pillow, plus a few of his favorite cookies (dog bones and becon strips. We love you Norman, Daddy and I are looking into what the vet did to you. You did not die in vane. bye bye my baby.
  • Curt Apr 22, 2011 @ 11:22 pm | delete
    My 2 1/2 yr old Female Yorkie was having redness under "armpits" from what was diagnosed last year as common pollen allergy. While there at the vets office who has been there for 30 years, they informed my that Maggie was way overdue for her parvo,distemper, etc. combo shot and her rabies. They put them in one needle and did the shot. She has always had more energy than you can imagine. Now, 8 hours later she is still motionless. She will stand if I pick her up and set her on the ground but will not move. Something is up and I she has had nothing to eat or drink. This is some type fo reaction. All I want to know is will it go away in a day or so or is this a bad thing? She is litterally our child. I know, sounds weird but it would be treated like a death of a real human almost if anything happens. Scared to death here. I am up in the middle of the night searching for answers. The vet will not answer his phone.
  • Alice Futrell Apr 11, 2011 @ 1:38 pm | delete
    My cat was always happy, healthy and active. Wanting to do the right thing and take him to a vet, which he's never been to before, I found a clean veternarian clinic and they stated it was the law for him to have a rabies shot. Not wanting to break the "law" I allowed them to give him a rabies vaccine. His face swelled up, he didn't eat for 24 hours, he slept (almost comotosed) for 24 hours. Now that he's passed that stage, he vomits almost everyday!! Tigger also seems to be clumsy sometimes. Tigger is 6-7 years old and I've NEVER, NEVER had an issue with his health until AFTER taking him to a vet (because of the LAW requiring a RABIES VACCINE!!) Bull-shit, if I may say so myself!!!
  • tired of the lies Apr 5, 2011 @ 10:09 am | delete
    Thanks to the information like what is on your site, a client decided against rabies vaccine last year.
    Last week their cat was brought in for exam due to a bite by an unknown animal, it now is developing the symptoms of rabies.
    It will most likely die or have to be euthanized, it's head removed and sent in for examination while the family undergoes rabies treatment until the results are available.
    Great work.
  • sandyspider Apr 1, 2011 @ 1:20 am | delete
    Been here before. Very good information to know. Blessed by an April Fools angel. See this featured on my April Fools Angel Blessing as soon as it is published. Your blessing is coming first. So check back.
  • greytdogz Mar 28, 2011 @ 5:20 pm | delete
    Years ago, I had a cat that developed cancer from being vaccinated. Although she survived the MAJOR surgery that was required to get rid of the cancer, it was very stressful for everyone. She lived another 5 years without anymore vaccinations.
    Since then, I only give my pets the Rabies vaccine and only because it is required by law.
  • Cyndi Mar 24, 2011 @ 5:17 pm | delete
    My 22mth old dauschund received her rabies, distemper, and lyme vaccines today. I was told that she would be tired, but she is shivering, and unable to go down stairs, I have to carry her. Also, her tail is in between her legs and if you look underneath her tail, her bum looks swollen. She's never had a lyme vaccine before so when I searched for common side effects of the lyme vaccine I found all of these articles about how controversial it is. I am so upset right now. I called her vet and she prescribed a pain medicine, carprofen to help with her pain. I had no idea the risks of the lyme vaccine, or any vaccine and I am in tears. She is on my lap right now, extremely lethargic, and still shivering. I feel like this is all my fault. We live in a high tick area so I thought I would vaccinate her to be safe. I had no idea that she shouldn't get these vaccines all together also. I will probably end up at the ER tonight if she gets any worse.
  • Jennifer Figueroa Mar 19, 2011 @ 5:23 pm | delete
    Hello, Jan, As I write this I am very ,very upset. I have a 4 year oild malti-poo, who just had his 3rd rabies, each time he has an adverse reaction, and I ? the vet and animal control about what he has gone through, but they insist they cannot accept a titer test. He is having another reaction, and we are not wealthy people who can go to emergency on the weekends. Our vet had already left after the shot, I find it irresponsible that our vet knew our dog has a reaction, and let hom come home right away,and then left with no answer of our emergency call. I called animal control, told them off ,AGAIN, and they said the rabies shot doesnt even go to their organization? Sorrt ,so upset, but I love my pet like a family member and don't want to ever vaccinate again!!!Even if it means we'll have to do our own grooming etc. Thanks for listening and for all you do to help others!!! Jennifer
  • Don Wall Feb 20, 2011 @ 1:02 pm | delete
    My small , 22#, Pic-a-poo has had a major reaction to yearly shots. Lost of motor movements and wants to sleep too much. Has lost energy and does not want to play/ take walks. Has been four days since shots and a little improvement. But still have concerns of future problems.
  • John Feb 13, 2011 @ 5:52 pm | delete
    I have 2 Pomeranians. The femail is 12 lbs and has shown no effects to the rabies vaccination. The mail is 9 lbs and has been in pain from a day to a full week every time he's gotten the vaccination. We didn't tie it to gether the 1st time, when he was a puppy, becase it was over 1 week before he started crying and not moving. That went on for over week and slowly he was ok. The 2nd shot symptoms kicked in 1-2 days later and we thought it was a strange cooincicence, but told the vet anyway. We just took him in for his 3rd shot, obviously 3 years after the last shot, and she gave him benedryl at the same time. It didn't help. We brought him home and he started crying and his eyes were tearing within 4 hours. It's now 1 day later and he's better, but still not himself. He's still "stiff" sitting and walking and wanting us to hold him all the time. If we're not holding him, he's kind of laying behind things. I will be applying for a pass on the rabies vaccine before they give it to either of our dogs again. I'm just glad we have 3 years before then.
  • thetruthtosixpackabs Jan 28, 2011 @ 5:24 pm | delete
    Thank you for the information I had no idea that it could be hazardous to get the rabies shots.
  • Carrie Jan 17, 2011 @ 5:07 pm | delete
    My cat is 5 lbs. She is due for a 3 month rabies shot in July but the town says to get her license she should have got her 3 year shot last November. Is this safe?
  • Amy B May 30, 2011 @ 10:54 am | delete
    I hear the 3 year shot has a higher risk of firbrocarcinoma than the yearly shot.
  • Joanne Jan 2, 2011 @ 5:42 pm | delete
    Prior to a proposed trip to the USA from Canada, the vet gave our 13 year old MaltiPoo a
    reduced rabies vaccine shot. Within a week our dog - who is also on medication for Addisons - started to lose her hair and was diagnosed with Demodex mites. A year later, we are still having to treat her for this condition. Why can't the border personnel accept titer test results?
  • arden townsend Dec 12, 2010 @ 2:00 pm | delete
    Precious who is now almost 2 years old had a very serious reaction to the rabies vaccine. When she was 4 months old we took her in for her shots that were due. She got her rabies vaccine around 5pm and we went home shortly after that. Precious and our other dog, Daisy started playing in the yard. All the sudden Daisy (who was 17 pounds) jumped on Precious (who was 10 pounds at this time) and she went into running in circles, yipping, and then crashed into the door and pooped all over herself. Our first thought was Daisy had hit the spot that Precious got her vaccine at. We took them both inside and gave Precious a bath. I then brought her into the bedroom and was brushing her. It was almost 7pm when all the sudden she went into a full grandmal seizure and then stopped. She was unconscious. I screamed at my husband and started carrying Precious downstairs. My husband took Precious from me and I grabbed the phone and called the vet's office. The tech was there and said our vet had just left. I told her what was going on and she said bring Precious right over. We carried her to the car and took off. We got there and the tech took Precious back and about that time Precious went into another seizure. Within a couple of minutes our vet arrived and started treating Precious. That night was a long night. We were later informed by our vet that he almost lost Precious 3 times that night.
  • thescubadude Dec 10, 2010 @ 5:19 pm | delete
    This a really brilliantly written lens! Would you consider doing a guest post for our dog products website blog? I could pay you modest amount for an article.
  • Hunter Dec 5, 2010 @ 9:40 pm | delete
    where on earth do you people live!!!!!!!!???????????? i live in canada and dogs and cats dont die from rabies shot or any shots they dont get bad reactions either. they just rest for a few hours or one day. than just go back to normal!
  • Hunter Dec 5, 2010 @ 9:06 pm | delete
    I have a 9 year old golden retriever. he has always been getting his 3 year shots. and still is healthy and active! after his shots he does get tired for a day but the next morning he gets active again. im so glad
  • Robert Nov 21, 2010 @ 3:33 pm | delete
    In the list of possible side effects there is "anaphylactic shot". It should be "anaphylactic shock".
  • jaktraks Oct 17, 2010 @ 5:40 pm | delete
    Great information and well done lens.
  • snklfritz70 Oct 9, 2010 @ 8:36 pm | delete
    I have a 2 1/2 yr old JRT. In March 2010 she received her regular vaccinations which included a rabies shot. In May of 2010 she has a run in with a opossum. She did not kill it but did injure it so I called animal control to come pick up the injured animal. My dog was not injured at all however animal control placed her on a 10 day quarantine and required me to revaccinate her rabies even though it had just been done in March. My vet willingly gave the vaccination without any warning of side effects. About a month and a half after this incident I started noticing my dog limping and not being able to jump. No trauma was involved but an x-ray showed some small buldging of the discs in the hind end. We were seeing a chiropractor for this but with no improvement. In addition to the limping she developed a ulcer type sore on the end of her tounge, licking her paws, small sores on the inside of her ears, shivering, sometimes running a fever of 103, very little activity, and often isolates herself to her crate. Prior to this incident she was a dog that was constantly on my heels and very active typical JRT. I have had lab tests that have come back showing nothing abnormal and recently a coombs test to check for autoimmune disease. This also came back negative. So far I have seen two different vets and neither of them seem to have an answer for me. Could all these symptoms be related to the rabies shots she received?
  • Barbara Oct 1, 2010 @ 4:17 pm | delete
    Barbara Crane
    I have a purebred yorkshire terrier named Sahara. When she was 2 years old I took her for her second rabies shot and that evening when we were watching TV she had a bad reaction. She started breathing heavy and shaking for a hour straight. She developed allergies which made her scratch constantly, rub her face and gnaw her paws.The vet had me desensitize her by injecting her with everything she was allergic to. Never do this to your dog ever. She got way worse. She developed pussy sores, her hair got greasy, her skin turned brown in some areas, her itching got 200 times worse and she went bald in many areas.She couldn't sleep and I couldn't either. I took her to a Holistic vet who told me that our dogs do not need anything. The vaccines are only to feed the drug companies and the dog food has no nutrients in it at all. She was suprised that I never fed my dog, dog food . she always ate human food and looked very heathly until her reaction. This vet helped me save her. The only thing she couldn't figure out was why her skin was so bad. I asked her if it could be a yeast infection, but she wasn't sure. I was still frustated that she was still so bad and that the holistic vet couldn't put her finger on the problem. I did hours of reseach on the internet and found out a lot of information on what has happened to my little pooch. I found out that the allergic reaction from the vaccine causes their immune systems to go into overdrive and in return damages their immune system. Therefore everything they come into contact with, they are allergic to because their immune system is always attacking them. The first vet had me inject her.well how do you inject her with substances that she is allergic to when her immune system has been compromised. The injections are what made her worse. From my own reseach I still felt that she had a yeast infection which is one of the side effects. I elected to take her to a 3rd vet which knew about yeast infections. Many more test were done.After thousands of dollars spent, what do you think her problem was. From my own reseach I accually diagnosed my own dog. First she took the reaction which put her immune system into overdrive, then she developed a yeast infection. We first treated the infection with antibiotics, antifungal cream for her scabs and antifungal shampoo. Once the yeast infection was gone the vet put her on an immune suppressent called atopica. She still itches , but not as bad and all her hair is back except for the hair that she wore off under her armpits that may never come back.Our Canadian Government knows that this vaccine kills our dogs immune systems and causes us and our animals alot of grief. The Goverment forces us to get this vaccine and should be responsible for any cost that we incur. All dogs big or small get the same dose, but the vet that I have now, gives a smaller dose to the smaller dogs. I have heard stories of bigger dogs dying from this vaccine and am lucky to say that my little Sahara is still with me .Her 4th birthday is coming up and I plan to have many more. Vets should have to let owners know about the side effects of this vaccine and let us choose for ourselves and the Government should be held responsible. I hope this helps people understand a bit more about what is really going on. Spread the word and more animals will be saved.
  • Sep 27, 2010 @ 12:18 am | delete
    I saw a man infected by rabies, I also saw a documentary about rabies. Thanks for creating more awareness. Great Lens!
  • Sep 26, 2010 @ 10:46 pm | delete
    Nice information. Thanks for this lens
  • sandyspider Sep 13, 2010 @ 4:00 pm | delete
    Wow, this is good information to know. Thank goodness my dog didn't have a reaction to the shot. Excellent lens! Thumb up!
  • LindaJM Sep 8, 2010 @ 4:39 pm | delete
    Such a lot of sadness... so sorry to hear of pets maimed by these vaccinations!
  • Van_Rudi Sep 5, 2010 @ 4:17 am | delete
    abandoned pets
    http://www.squidoo.com/pets-that-people-abandoned-on-the-streets
  • serj Aug 12, 2010 @ 7:40 pm | delete
    my cat severely reacted to the vaccine 2 days later. The third day she supposedly died. The symptoms she experienced though were vomiting, and huge pain inside her stomache. Maybe thats why she didn't move for 2 days... They should warn us of the vaccine dangers better.
  • Mary Beth Swindler Aug 2, 2010 @ 4:35 pm | delete
    My male Chihuahua (Skippy) has been with me since March 2000 when he was 12 weeks old. He has always been very well behaved, highly responsive, intelligent, and sociable. He has traveled with us everywhere and never even barks ? just a happy wagging little guy.
    Our old Vet had told me to only get the Rabies shot every 3 years because he had what I describe as ?lost his mind? after the 2007 Rabies shot. He never did get back all his faculties, but he was functional and seemed pretty happy. I even get his other shots a few months before the Rabies to be careful.
    About 4 months ago when he had his last Rabies shot in March 2010 and started acting funny. Even after the first few week of ?don't touch me?, he started avoiding my husband and me, looking at or through) us like he was drugged, staring at us as if we were monsters while trembling with his ears back, tail tucked and back arched. Then he began jumping when I was holding him, as if something hurt, but I could not figure out what it was. I had told the new vet that he gets sick from it, but he insisted on giving him the shot because our County law states Rabies shots have to be given every year. Now he stiffens up and tries to jump from my arms screaming and trembling with his back curved, his front paws grabbing me while pushing me away with his back legs. I gently put him down and he looks back with wide eyes like I've done something horrible to him. He was never dropped and I have held him the same way for years. The new Vet says he seems to be in good physical shape, but he does not live with him and know how he was before and how he acts at home now.
    Is there anything I can do to help get my dog back?
    Please help me!!! I love my little guy. And I miss him.
  • K9Author Aug 2, 2010 @ 5:01 pm | delete
    Mary Beth, your county laws are killing your dog. Every state has three year laws now. More and more states have medical exemptions for dogs like yours. You can change the law. See www.dogs4dogs.com/rabies-laws

    Why is your dog getting other shots? Please see the articles at www.truth4dogs.com, especially the one about Eliminating Unnecessary Shots.

    Find a vet willing to fight to keep your dog from being vaccinated. Also, you need a vet skilled in homeopathy. See the referral lists at www.dogs4dogs.com/vet Homeopathy is your dog's best chance for recovery.
  • Kimberly Jul 27, 2010 @ 9:07 pm | delete
    My oldest dog has always had a bad reaction to ALL vaccines. She vomits and acts sick for 2 weeks after. I told my Vet and their answer was to give my dog an antihistimine shot 20 minutes before the vaccines. I am AGAINST all vaccines. I have studied holistic health for cats and dogs for 15 years and it is my experience that vaccines shorten the lives of the animals. Now, the City where I have resided for 45 years is requiring Rabies vaccines for cats. I am stunned at their stupidity and lack of education about vaccines. I am going to fight it. Someone has to look out for the cats who can't speak for themselves.
  • TJS Jul 26, 2010 @ 9:28 pm | delete
    Our puppy was vaccinated with a rabies shot on a Friday and had adverse reactions, a fever, loss of appetite, energy and finally Monday had a high fever and passed away, it was very sad and the vet took no responsibility nor warned us of side effects......
  • Jan Rasmusen Jul 27, 2010 @ 11:10 am | delete
    TJS, I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope you'll take action to keep others from experiencing your pain. 1) Call the manufacturer of the vaccine. Get the brand name and lot # from your vet. The are obligated to report the death to the USDA. This is very important. 2) Report your vet for failure to provide informed consent before vaccinating to your state veterinary medical board. Google "Texas" or whatever and "veterinary" and "board" and you should find a link. 3) Get involved with the Rabies Challenge Fund study of the rabies vaccine. www.rabieschallengefund.org Help make this shot safer.
  • Veronica Jul 21, 2010 @ 5:21 pm | delete
    Our 5 year old Maltese died when she was given a rabies vaccine, and 5 others on the same visit. The vet told us it was probably a reaction to the rabies vaccine. I will always believe that our dog was over vaccinated and I will NEVER allow a vet give any of our pets more that one vaccine at a time and I will weigh carefully the need for any vaccine!
  • Shibamom Jul 21, 2010 @ 8:41 am | delete
    Excellent lens with valuable information. Thank you!
  • WeddingZazzle Jul 14, 2010 @ 4:44 am | delete
    Blessed by a SquidAngel :)
  • Jan Rasmusen Jul 16, 2010 @ 2:05 pm | delete
    Thank you!
  • mike bryant Jul 11, 2010 @ 2:23 pm | delete
    my dog has had 2 rabies shots in the past two months i was just wondering if this could hurt him
  • Jan Jul 16, 2010 @ 2:07 pm | delete
    Yes, two shots in two months can cause major health problems. Why did this happen? If one vet did it, complain to your state veterinary medical association.

    Find a vet trained in homeopathy to help your dog. There's a referral list at www.dogs4dogs.com/vet If you can't find one, write me. You'll find my contact info there.
  • Ellen Jul 8, 2010 @ 12:12 pm | delete
    How do people who have pets and no money take care of them in this economy? The acc told me to surrender my animals I would need to pay $35 each if I had $70 I could buy food for them.
  • Juss_me Jul 2, 2010 @ 12:19 am | delete
    Hi every1. I have a toy datshund..she got her first..and ONLY rabies shot in 2005. our tiny love developed hives within an hour after admisnistration. we called the vert brought her to the vet and she went into respiratory arrest. She was placed on life support and given valium for seizures. We left the vet with a dog who seemed as though she stroked out. Could not walk, see, hear and could barly breathe. We took her to another vet, she recieved a bag of IV fluid into her side..kinda like a water poch, the vet said she would not be able to drink for days and to prevent dehdration the fluid would get absorbed. NEVER will I vaccinate another animal. She has many many health related problems and she will not live long. Heidi is a house dog period. never is she near bats or racoons. The rabies law is a way to generate revenu for those whom are no where near risk of exposure. look up latest statistics. no one has had a case of rabies in So. Calif in decades.
  • Kristina Jul 21, 2010 @ 4:43 pm | delete
    I am a Homeopathic Practitioner. I have never 'blogged' before but, I could not let your comments go with out sharing some information with you. I work with humans and animals and my main focus in the practice is the secondary residual effects of vaccines and other medications. The preliminary stages of treatment involve a full health history of human or animal. This includes any medication or vaccine they ever took. Then I give the Homeoapthic of these in reverse chronological order. This helps "clear" the harmful effects on the body. Which is a huge obstacle to cure and most don't realize this. I am so sorry for your precious dashhound. If you would like to know more or have any questions, feel free to contact me. Best, Kristina www.TheVitalForce.Net 888-587-9991
  • akwdoc Jun 10, 2010 @ 9:13 pm | delete
    My 2 1/2 year old Lhasa Apso got the "3 year" rabies vaccine 3 days ago....within hours she developed all the symptoms mentioned in the 1st parragraph: swollen face/eyes, labored breathing, lethargy, vomiting. Luckily, my wife was home at the time and rushed her back to the vet. There she got benadryl and a cortisone shot. She had hives for about 24 hours, and kept vomiting and not eating for almost 3 days. She finally woke up better yesterday, and seems to be back to her normal self. I am a physician, and sometimes wonder if vets really know what they are doing. I guess no more vaccines for little Lola.
  • Jan Rasmusen Jul 16, 2010 @ 2:13 pm | delete
    You may be able to get a medical exemption for your dog. Check out the state laws at www.dogs4dogs.com/rabies-laws to see if your state allows exemptions.

    Your dog may have a long-term adverse reaction. The only way I know to help with that is with homeopathy. There are referral lists to vets with homeopathy experience at www.dogs4dogs.com/vet

    It is unlikely that Lola even needs additional shots, especially for the puppy series. She is an adult and should have lifetime immunity. You can test titers for the two most important diseases: parvovirus and distemper Read more at http://www.truth4dogs.com
  • Terri May 6, 2010 @ 9:57 am | delete
    I lost my Daisy, a 10 year old collie/hound mix two days ago. On March 17 she had a 3 year Rabies booster. At that time the vet examined her and did a urinalysis and proclaimed her to be in excellent and remarkable health for a 10 year old dog. Two days later she had signs of a urinary tract infection?her first one ever and her first illness ever. That night (a Friday) we took her to an emergency animal clinic. They did urinalysis and found her creatin and bun levels slightly elevated and her urine dilute. They put her on a low dose of antibiotics which after 4 days didn't seem to help.

    After the weekend we took her back to her regular vet who kept her on the same antibiotics along with Rimadyl. She became violently ill from the Rimadyl (vomiting) and the vet switched her to prednisone with no delay from taking the Rimadyl. We learned from a later vet that this is a big NO NO.

    Daisy did not improve and after 2 weeks of being jerked around by the vet who gave her the Rabies shot in the first place so we took her to a new vet. Like the original vet and the emergency vet, the new vet vehemently denied that the Rabies shot could have cause Daisy's illness.
    However, this vet was alarmed to find Daisy's bladder was full and really extended. Any urine she passed seemed to be from overflow. The vet evacuated the bladder and did an x-ray and ultrasound. The ultrasound showed a lot of fine sludge in Daisy's bladder but no blockage. The x-ray also showed no blockage but the vet became fixated on the notion that she saw a herniated disk on the x-ray and it was pinching off the nerve controlling the bladder. That may have been the case but the x-ray is not a definitive test for diagnosing herniated or slipped disks. No further tests were ordered. She prescribed a higher dose of antibiotics and steroids again and Daisy became what we thought was incontinent but in reality her bladder was full all the time and was simply overflowing. We didn't know it but she could not urinate on her own at all.

    We took her back to the vet when we became aware her bladder was terribly extended again and she was in pain all the time. The steroids had apparently done nothing for the ?herniated disk.? The vet catheterized Daisy and removed nearly a half gallon of murky, orange urine. She did a urinalysis and the slide was nothing but bacteria?like the orange urine also indicated to the naked eye. It was clear to me that Daisy's kidneys had not been working for some time and that she was in renal failure. The vet stuck with her pinched nerve/herniated disk theory. She told us if we needed to make a hard decision about Daisy before she suffered more. We had Daisy put down the next day.

    I believe the Rabies shot started off this 6 week long decline in Daisy's health and eventually led to the kidney infection and renal failure which killed my baby.
  • JJ Apr 13, 2010 @ 10:05 am | delete
    My greyhound JJ received his rabies shot last Monday. The next day he began to have organge colored bowel movements{liquid and slimey} ; his urine was a yucky brown color. JJ became very rigid and could barely walk. Over the next week he would not eat, barely drank and ran a moderate fever [39.5 to 40].

    I took him to the vet and JJ was hopitazlied. His urine billyrubin levels were high as well as his blood level of another compound [CK test ...something like that] which indicated 'muscle damage'. The Vets who saw JJ think there is a correlation to the rabies shot and have asked for the information on the vaccine - from the vet who injected the vaccine - so they can report it to the drug company in hopes of reimbursing my vet expenses.

    JJ is improving [symptoms] as he received IV and anti inflamatories. He still will not eat his food which worries me. I'm schedules to pick JJ up this afternoon . I don't think he is out of the woods yet.
  • Betty Duncan Apr 10, 2010 @ 3:29 pm | delete
    My 2 year old boxer got a rabies shot on Tuesday. Wed. & Thurs he would not eat, slept a lot, started shaking, and on Friday he began throwing up. Vet gave him Amoxicillin and sedatives, and he became severely worse. Asked the Vet if it could be the rabies shot since he was very well before, but he said it was a "virus" However, he wanted to X-ray and perform surgery in case of a blockage. He found the nerves to his colon had totally stopped working & he was dying. I know in my heart that this was a reaction to the shot. He was only 2 years old. It was a horrible death.
  • pet_health_expert Apr 8, 2010 @ 8:53 pm | delete
    While looking for ?The Rabies Vaccine for Dogs and Cats: What You Need to Know Now ?, read your article also liked "dog health" good article, this is a excellent squidoo site Thank you
  • MC Apr 2, 2010 @ 8:42 am | delete
    It would be interesting to know if the dogs and/or cats that experienced problems with the Rabies Vaccine was given the 1 year or the 3 year Vaccine.
  • Lisa Yee Apr 1, 2010 @ 2:57 pm | delete
    I had my 12 lb Schipperkee female get her rabies vaccine yesterday, today she is shaky, refuses to eat or drink. She has trouble walking and is hunched in pain. I have told the vet that she can only have 1 shot at a time due to being sensitive and getting sick from the shots. I only got the rabies done yesterday and no other shots. Last year she did not react so badly with only the rabies other than being sick for a day or so. She even tried to bite me when I gently touched her legs to get her to come out of the crate to try to go to th e bathroom, she usually runs out and is a happy go lucky dog who has never tried to bite! I called the vet and they told me it should get better and that they by law had to have rabies vaccine in stock and they have the one they use on back order so the one in stock is one they stopped using 4 years ago due to issues with it.!! They did not even inform me of this, and to make it worse when I complained that why would they use it on an animal that they know has issues with being sensitive to vaccines without asking me first, they said no mention of her being sensitive on her file!! I even told them that day she was!! I am so angry and upset and afraid for her I am beside myself. I am giving her water with a dropper to get fluids into her. What can I do ?? She was giving Merial K/MLV killed virus lot 18094. She had to have the shot to get spayed in July. I hate shots, the laws make you get them. This is not right ! I don't even want to go to the vet as I no longer trust them.
  • burgesspetcare Mar 29, 2010 @ 9:46 am | delete
    Excellent lens with great information. Keep up the good work.
  • kimberly webb Mar 28, 2010 @ 5:52 pm | delete
    My 5 year old Pekingese had gotten all of her shots on Friday around 3pm and by Friday night at 11 pm, she was running like crazy, chewing her front paws, snapping at me and acting wild, I saw the injection site it was blood and purple color on her right side just above the front leg, I had never heard of a reaction I just thought the meds did not go in to the muscle, I went on line for research and found all of the information on how dangerous, I was sitting in the vet parking lot on Sat am when they came in with her in my arms, they gave her a steroid shot and said the maker of the RABIES meds had changed to another company and she was the second one with a reaction, now it is Sun. and she is just laying around, I am so so scared, as you are this dog is like a child to my husband and I and we would morgage our house to save her, please advise what I should do next, go back to my vet or get another opionion. I love the vet we use and I do not blame her but no warnings were EVER GIVEN TO ME IF SO I WOULD HAVE NOT GOT THE shot.
  • JoAnn Mar 25, 2010 @ 12:16 pm | delete
    My Cockapoo contracted vasculitis after her rabies vaccination. We would have never known without the skin biopsy we took. The original diagnosis was allergies or mange- but this was much worse. We were sick about it - we almost lost her. She will be on small dosages of prednisone forever. She is banned from the groomer and doggie day care center and I have not reapplied for her city license with the vaccination proof.
    I would never endanger her life again. We will just continue to keep her safe and sound.
    Thank God for Pet insurance, this has cost thousands. I don't know what I would have done, because she is worth every penny.
  • G. Wheeler Mar 23, 2010 @ 11:47 am | delete
    I took my 4 pound Toy Poodle for his Rabies Vaccination on March 6, 2010 and the next day he started having seizures. In the 2 weeks since he got the shot he has had over 30 seizures and is very wobbly. Falls when he lifts his leg to pee, Can no longer sit to beg, he falls over. Reminds me of a person with advanced Parkinson's Disease the way his head constantly shakes.
  • LC Mar 20, 2010 @ 5:17 pm | delete
    Reaction to Rabies Vaccination on March 5, 2010:

    Hello, My 16 pound Lhasapoo mix got a rabies shot on Friday, March 5, 2010. Her weekend was primarily spent just sleeping. She seemed fairly normal on Monday, but didn't have her usual energy. On Tuesday she had no energy, no appetite, and drank little water. On Wednesday and Thursday, she was shaking all over and would try to move and walk but her little body would just freeze in position for two or three minutes at a time and she would turn her head to the right side. She was not eating or drinking. When she would try to walk, she was wobbly and unstable. She almost fell over trying to go potty. She looked very sad in her eyes. A few times when I would try to pick her up, she would scream in pain. I took her to the vet on Friday March 12 (one week after her shot). They did x-rays and blood work and a full body examination. The vet couldn't find any specific cause for her symptoms, but said she did have an elevated white blood count. We were told this was indicative of an infection, although the vet had seen no other signs of infection and didn't know where it may be. The vet prescribed a ?broad spectrum? antibiotic (Amoxicillin) and some pain medication (Rimadyl). We asked if the symptoms could be related to the rabies shot a week earlier, and were told that reactions to the shot were very rare, occurred within a day, and were usually limited to an upset stomach and lethargy.

    I'm thankful to report that with ten days having passed following her rabies shot, she's almost back to normal. For a couple of days I was very upset and afraid I was going to lose her. Based on my observation of her excellent health at the time of the rabies shot, her slowly deteriorating condition thereafter, the primarily neurological nature of her symptoms, and the vet exam showing no specific cause for her problems, I'm fully persuaded her condition was directly caused by the rabies vaccination. For whatever it's worth, the results of this vaccination caused my dog considerable pain, greatly upset me, and cost me over $500 for the exam one week later (including x-rays, blood work, and meds.
  • makingamark Mar 17, 2010 @ 5:16 am | delete
    I think a UK perspective might also be helpful as this lens is being read by an international audience - see http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/diseases/atoz/rabies/
  • Viktoria Mar 6, 2010 @ 7:03 pm | delete
    every year when my dog gets its rabies shot about 3 months later her liver values go down alittle the total protein and albumin then about 3 months later after that it goes back to normal
  • BillB Feb 17, 2010 @ 6:15 pm | delete
    I have a question regarding effects on a dog (approx 75 lb labrador mix) who ate at least one dose of what I believe is Rabies Vaccine. Today I found about 8 to 10 individual 1.5 inch squares open on the ends, made of a grey green composite material. Inside each was a white plastic bag sealed in wax. These were strewn along a grassy alley where I usually walk my dogs. One of them had been broken and smelled strongly of fish oil. Naturally my dog was delighted to find them and chewed up and ate at least one of them. That was a couple hours ago and she seems fine, but is there any danger to her?

    Here is a description of the text on the container, line for line:
    RABIES VACCINE 73
    LIVE VACCINIA VECTOR
    DO NOT DISTURB
    MEREIAL INC
    US VET LIC NO 298
    1-877-722-6725.
  • Nickie Feb 9, 2010 @ 8:14 pm | delete
    Last Friday I took my 10 1/2 year old golden to the vet they vacinated him for rabies and ran a fulll blood panel. His check up went great heart, blood pressure all went great made an appointment to have his teeth cleaned. The next day I got the results of the blood test everything was great except Thyroid a little low by that afternoon he was dead. I have to wonder.
  • Chihuahua love Jan 18, 2010 @ 3:50 pm | delete
    Since my recent vaccine shot (2 months ago) I have noticed that my three little Chihuahua's haven't ben the same. Two of them have been showing aggression with other dogs and even nipping at people, and one of them has a lump forming under the skin. While the other has the lesions on the tips of his ears, but is now finally exempt from the vaccine only after he had a severe allergy attack that sent him into shock from the vaccine.. They were the most sweet and loving pups until this recent vaccine trip 2 months ago.
  • Dan R.:Fresno CA Jan 17, 2010 @ 10:53 am | delete
    This is pretty scary! I awoke this a.m. (1/17/2009)to the dogs labored breathing. The shot was two days ago. Her eyes are swollen shut and she is lathargic. We played frisbee yesterday, all looked well. I have photos,but, could not paste them here.
  • sigmund kolatzki Jan 3, 2010 @ 2:52 pm | delete
    My two year old rescue german shepard had to be vaccinated for rabies and all the other vaccines prior to moving to Belize. This in liklihood would have been it's third series of shots - first by original owner - second by shelter - third by me for taking dog out of country. Dog seizured one week after the shots - had no history of seizures. Vets wanted to put dog on barbituates for seizures - they (two different clinics) both said that they did not believe the vacines caused the seizures when I brought it up. Of course they could not say why it seizured other than genetic disposition. He was also tested for valley fever - negative. I choose to (after having read some holistic websites) 1200mg of lecithin dailey - guess what - no seizures for the last 90 days - no barbituates! DO NOT VACCINATE YOUR DOGS - certainly NO BOOSTERS!! A pox on the pharmacuticals and vets who refuse to expand their knowledge at the expense of animals and their owners for their profit.
  • sharon Jan 2, 2010 @ 3:45 pm | delete
    I was given a 9 week old Rottweiler puppy for Christams - BEAUTIFUL little boy. I brought him to the vet within the first 10 days (as in contract) and the vet gave him Distemoper, Rabies and Lymes vaccinations (even though his nurse questioned giving all 3 - he said "yeah he is a big boy") a whole 15 pds I might add. 10 hours after his shots he had a seizure. He had 5 seizures in less then 2 days. He spent time in hospital on seaizure meds and continued to have "violent seaizures" (the worst vet had seen at this hospital. We had puppy for 11 days and was fine , a blessing to us. Lastnight (5th seaizure) we had to send him to rainbow bridge. Today, I have 3 vets fighting over this as the 2 feel this puppy was "POISENED" by the vet who gave him a rabies shot at 10 weeks old. I am broken hearted and my poor puppy can still not rest as they are doing a complete autopsy (not by my request) to find out if this is due to his sudden onset of seizures. I feel horrible that I trusted this vet with my puppies life - I only wish I had know what i am now hearing :0(
  • RR Dec 29, 2009 @ 9:54 pm | delete
    My one year old cat that recieved the rabies vaccine is now going in for surgery, for a growth where the shot was given.It showed up in two weeks after the shot.She is a indoor cat.The doctors tell me that it could be cancer and they say that 1 in 10,000 get this from the shot.They should have told me this before I took her to get the shot.The kicker is that the company who makes the vaccine is paying 500.00 towards the surgery.No financial help will ever replace my little best freind.money has no value in this matter.If anyone has an indoor cat I would not recommend the rabies vaccine.I thought I was doing a good thing.Now I have to wait a painful 5 to 7 days to recieve the results from the lump that have to disect.I was never a big cat fan until I rescued her.She makes everyday of my families life a great one.
  • Susie Omang Apr 7, 2010 @ 9:02 am | delete
    My cat had the same thing last year. Her tumor was removed and thankfully not cancerous. She is now due for another rabies shot and I am not going to get it. They keep bugging me about it, but I am not gonna do it. How did things turn out for your cat?
  • sanjay kumar singh Dec 15, 2009 @ 12:37 am | delete
    sir, my pet dog of breed local of india of age approx. 03 months bit one man 06 days ago. rabies vaccine is required for that man or not? kindly give proper suggetion.
  • Anne Soden Nov 29, 2009 @ 4:02 pm | delete
    I just had to have my elderly cat euthanized. The old rabies shot she had when she was spayed caused a huge sarcoma and it spread to her lungs and she was having trouble breathing. I did not get her any shots after the initial ones because she was in the house, but the old rabies shots contained a toxic element which gave her a huge tumor.
  • TJ Nov 19, 2009 @ 5:13 pm | delete
    My 8 year old Australian Shepard is at the vet right now with renal failure. He was very healthy and active until his vaccinations 2 weeks ago which included his 3 year rabies shot. Right after he was vaccinated he became very clingy and did not want to eat. He was still eating small amounts until two days ago and then quit eating altogether. I asked the vet if this could be related to his vaccinations and she told me she had never heard of a dog having kidney problems after being vaccinated. It seems there is a lot of information about adverse reactions and I'm concerned about a vet that has never heard of it!
  • K9Author Nov 19, 2009 @ 6:11 pm | delete
    I'm so sorry about your dog. First, you dog shouldn't have gotten rabies with other vaccines. Second, all vaccines have known possible adverse reactions but most vets don't want to admit. Admitting it could make it seem like it's their fault. Third, each additional vaccine means a 24% increase in the chance of a reaction. Find out exactly what your dog got. And good luck with your dog. My thoughts are with you.
  • WORRIED ABOUT MY BOXER Nov 10, 2009 @ 12:08 pm | delete
    I am having a very hard time getting anyone to take my dogs post rabie shot aggression serious. He is a very mushy 5 year old and I call him the cruise director of my house. Very loving and lazy boy. About 3 or 4 days after the shot he fought with one of my older dogs and then a week later with the other dog. The other dogs are cowering around him and I have to keep a close eye on him. I called my vert and they state they have never heard of such a thing and I advised them I have read alot of articles where this is a side effect of the shot. They advised me to call the drug manufacturer. Which of course they claim there is no proven study to back that "theory" up. What can I do?? I have a conference call set up with a homeopathic vet in a few days. I am very worried and I do not want to have to seperate him from the others.That would traumatize him. But the others are walking around with their heads down and tales between their legs. What can I do. Help Please.
  • Jean Jul 7, 2010 @ 11:54 pm | delete
    We just had a similar incident with our 7 year old Malamute husky mix. Took him into the vet for his rabies shot on Saturday morning. Didn't notice anything wrong until today, 4 days after the shot, when we came home from work to find that he had killed one of our other dogs. This was a dog that was so lazy and laid back that we trusted him with children of all ages. He had lived peacefully for two years with this other dog. The other dog fought back, and inflicted some serious wounds also, so we had to have the dog with the new rabies shot put down also. We are heartbroken and just sick about this. I'd never heard of something like this before. The vet gave us no warnings at all.
  • Amy Nov 5, 2009 @ 8:03 am | in reply to Maegan | delete
    Hi Megan: Do not listen to your vet. Mine told me the same thing. I got a Titer done anyway and found a Holistic Vet who wrote a letter of exmption. Thunder, now my angle boy, had canine Lymphoma, was on Chemo at the time and neither his primary vet nor Onc. would write a letter of exemption. Unfortunately before I could submitt the letter and titer test to the town we had to let Thunder go. Currently I am researching as I believe his Lymphoma was cause by overvaccinations and vaccinating while he was sick. Thunder had just turned 4 on July 29, 2009. Rest In Piece My Sweet Boy
  • jeannie Feb 10, 2010 @ 7:40 pm | delete
    Amy,
    My dog Lilly recently died of t-cell cutaneous lymphoma. We tried several rounds of chemo to no avail. About 6 months before we noticed any signs of her disease the vet accidentally gave her a rabies shot that had already been give a couple of weeks earlier. She was almost 12 years old when the shots were given. I had such a bad feeling when they gave her the shots, I can't help but think back to it. From the research you have done have you found any links?

    Thanks,
    Jeannie
  • theresa Nov 4, 2009 @ 10:01 pm | delete
    My 23 yr old cat passed away on 11/2/09. Since 10/10/09 she has been getting uncontrollable seizures. 9/16/09 she got a rabies shot when I brought her in for a pedicure to her vet. She had her last vaccine about 4yrs ago. She was 100% an indoor only cat with NO interactive with anything from the outside. She also had kidney disease, but out of no where she started getting seizures. No vet could tell me why. Her blood counts where elavated. I can't help but wonder if this rabies shot could had caused these seizures. I spent over 2,200 dollars trying to make her well again, and nursed her at home, until that day when her body was just sooo tired, and she passed on. By her last weekend with us, she was getting up to 4 seizures a day which were classified idiopathic, b/c they could not find an answer.
  • Rita Davies Jan 14, 2010 @ 8:40 am | delete
    Hi, I am so sorry to hear that your cat passed away. However I doubt that the rabies injection was responsible. The seizures occur in the later stages of renal failure and I suspect that, at 23years, that was the cause of death. Our wonderful Labrador, Murphy, suffered from kidney disease and had to be put to sleep when her seizures became so frequent that she had no real quality of life. I agree that you need to think carefully before vaccinating but I don't think the jab was to blame in this case, so don't worry that you did the wrong thing. You obviously gave your cat all the love and care you could and she was a very lucky cat to have you looking after her!
  • harringtonway Nov 2, 2009 @ 3:03 pm | delete
    This is very valuable information - I have heard about this a lot lately and with so many incidents of this I think it would be prudent for all of us to beware!
  • Debbie Oct 27, 2009 @ 3:35 pm | in reply to Beanie Babys Dad | delete
    I am so very sorry for your loss. I have been there and I have lost.

    What you are describing is called over vaccination. As you realize now, you must take the responsibility to research/Google vaccine alternatives. There are many who support alternatives. In Plano, TX, it's Dr. Alan Ward.

    I have learned is that you never take a pet with a vaccine reaction to the vet, you always go straight to the emergency room. Vets, even if they have the knowledge, do not have the emergency experience, the emergency personnel, or the equipment to handle such situations. Vets are short handed and cannot monitor your pet 24/7 like the emergency room can.

    Regarding vaccines. I don't do them except as puppies. I feed California Natural, which has sufficiently maintained the acid PH of my dogs' blood to give them the immunity they need to fight off disease and to recover.

    To those who say, I can't afford that: Your pet will die if you don't borrow the money. Peri
  • AnnRadley Oct 19, 2009 @ 11:30 am | delete
    Thank you so much for your informative lens and blogs which I've just begun to explore. I wish I had read this 2 weeks ago. I had just heeded the call by my vet to have my dog's rabies and bordatella vacinations updated. There have been no adverse reactions that I an aware of. Yet Hansel had a tumor removed from his leg 8 months ago, which I suspect was cancerous. (I didn't have it tested due to the cost) So unnecessary vacinations are the last thing my dog needs at this point. This dog is so dear to me. Do you have any suggestions as to how to find a good holistic or homepathic vet? I live near Portland OR
  • Terry Sep 26, 2009 @ 3:33 pm | in reply to Mike (contd...) | delete
    Mike,

    I STRONGLY suggest you read a book by an experienced veterinarian (who treated John Travolta's dog for cancer), Martin Goldstein, DVM...his book, The Nature of Animal Healing.
    READ Chapter Four in particular...The Dubious Legacy of Vaccines. I watched one of my precious dachshunds develop chronic seizures (after vaccination) to the point where medication no longer helped and I had to put her down. I lost another to cancer from vaccination and when the cancer could no longer be stopped, I had to put her down on my birthday. I wish I had read his book sooner-- I AGREE with everything on this web site. Most veterinary schools AND medical schools are largely supported with grants from Big Pharma.....so why wouldn't you be taught that vaccination is soooo safe?? Read the above book from a vet who's been in the trenches for years and listen to what he has discovered during the course of actually treating dogs and cats....you may learn something.
  • tamershrew53 Sep 25, 2009 @ 8:42 am | delete
    Nice article on how to take care of our dear pets. I didn't know that pets should not be vaccinated when they're sick. I read this on http://www.englishbulldogpuppyblog.com. I like to visit this site regularly to find helpful articles such as this one. Thanks! :)
  • monie2 Sep 12, 2009 @ 10:29 am | delete
    This is very enlightening article. The dogs I have had in Jamaica did not seem to have any adverse reaction put who to tell I did not have this information.
  • Artemus-Gordon Sep 9, 2009 @ 1:20 pm | delete
    I had no idea there were such side effects but since it is the law that animals be vaccinated what choice do we have to protect them.
  • Tracy in CA Sep 1, 2009 @ 9:49 pm | in reply to Marion | delete
    That is so sad. I have a 2 lb Chihuahua and she has been sick with pyoderma or puppy strangles and she is almost 4 months old. I started to look on the interenet about the vaccines and I am not going to give her a rabies shot. It is a :live: vaccine and with our dogs being so small, I feel like that's asking for problems. I hope your baby gets better soon.
  • susan rao Sep 1, 2009 @ 12:23 am | delete
    My cat Beau had rabies vaccinations between his shoulders. Now, at age 10, he has just had his second fibrocarcinoma tumor removed, and the vet told me that it was due to the vacine, and said it should have been given in his leg so that the leg could have been amputated. Gee- I didn't get to make the choice & if I had known would have foregone the vaccine entirely. My advice: don't get rabies shots for your cats. I wish I hadn't.
  • K9Author Aug 27, 2009 @ 12:21 pm | delete
    Rabies caused by dogs isn't much of a problem in the US. Bats and raccoons are more of a problem. But the rabies vaccine is a very big problems. I urge everyone to donate to the Rabies Challenge Fund.
  • cc2786 Aug 27, 2009 @ 5:04 am | delete
    I hadn't realised that rabies was still such a problem in the 21st century, but it would appear it is. Please look after your pets guys.
  • Beanie Baby's Dad Aug 26, 2009 @ 11:07 pm | delete
    Our 12 yr old Welsh Terrier, Beanie received her annual rabies shot last Monday. On Tuesday she started groaning and each day got progressively worse. By Saturday she was just lying around, groaning and hacking and panting. Sunday she fell on her face jumping out of a chair, going up and down single steps, falling over when she went to urinate. Monday we took her back to the vet. She could walk, but like she was on egg-shells, in pain. He ran blood tests, took x-rays and gave her fluids and a pain pill. Tuesday, we took her back for more fluids and she couldnt walk anymore; he put her on steroids. Today, we took her to another vet, where they did a spinal tap and an mri(inconclusive). She was hacking up very viscous white fluid and having trouble breathing. We picked her up at 6'ish, and our Beanie Baby died, choking to death before 9 pm. Each time we talked to the vets we told them the only thing different was the vaccinations she had received.
  • sorry to see her go Aug 8, 2009 @ 7:21 pm | delete
    my 5 year old palmaraian got her rabbies shot in dec, 07 she limped and walked on her front paws often afterwards. the vet said palms are prone to arthritus. well 7-30-09 we found her covered in blood. we rushed her to a different vet. he took one look at the wound and said cancer, advanced cancer. my friend, my presious dog named twin, or momma after giving birth to four pups in sept. 09.came back home in a black plastic bag. the dr. said the cancer at the injection site was deffinately caused by the rabies shot. be vary observant of any signs your friend may exibit. heavy heart in texas
  • Cindy Chamberlin Jul 26, 2009 @ 8:04 pm | delete
    I have a little Chihuahua/Italian Grey hound mix, he got a Rabbies Shot because the Vet said that they didn't except the pound's vacinations so I trusted them and my Dog, ended being rushed to the emergency room with a swollen face, breathing hard and scared to death. They gave him a combo shot. Had I known then what I know now I wouldn't have gotten him the shot. I will now get him exempt from the rabbies shot. He very well could have died.
  • K9Author Jul 25, 2009 @ 2:56 pm | delete
    Maegan, in most areas, dogs with acute or chronic health problems -- especially autoimmune disease -- can get an exemption to rabies vaccination. Ask your vet or Animal Control. If they don't allow it, change the law. I know at least two people who have done that. Even vaccine manufacturers recommend against vaccinating sick pets. For more details, read Vaccinating Unhealthy Pets: Beware Reactions & Vaccine Failure at Truth4Dogs.com.

    Vaccinating a dog with known reactions can be deadly and your vet shouldn't allow it. If he/she doesn't, find another vet. This also means not vaccinating against anything. You need a healthy immune system for the shot to "take." Check out Vaccinating Dogs: 10 Steps to Eliminating Unnecessary Shots, also at Truth4Dogs.com.
  • Maegan Jul 25, 2009 @ 1:52 pm | delete
    I adopted a dog from a high-kill shelter in Kentucky; before they transported to me (in the Northeast) they gave him the Rabies vaccine. A month or so after I got him he began limping. We tested for lyme, did radiographs, did an ultrasound, ran major bloodwork, and eventually did a joint tap. The joint tap confirmed he has an auto-immune joint disease. He was treated for a month with Doxycycline and is no longer showing symptoms. My vet NEVER told me how he could have gotten it; I ended up having to look it up myself, and the first thing listed for cause of this disease was an adverse reaction to the Rabies vaccine. I'm glad I now know, but I feel like there is nothing I can do since it is required by law. I checked with my vet and they said a titer wouldn't help. My only true option is to not bring him to the vet unless he gets sick.
  • Rose Jul 18, 2009 @ 11:28 am | delete
    Scientific data indicate that vaccinating dogs against rabies every three years, as most states require, is unnecessary. Studies have shown the duration of protective immunity as measured by serum antibody titers against rabies virus to persist for seven years post-vaccination. By validating the 'true' life of rabies virus immunity and moving to five and hopefully seven years, we will decrease the risk of adverse reactions in our animals and minimize their repeated exposure to foreign substances.

    Killed vaccines like those for rabies virus can trigger immediate and delayed adverse vaccine reactions (termed "vaccinosis") While there may be immediate hypersensitivity reactions, other acute events tend to occur 24-72 hours afterwards, or up to 45 days later in the case of delayed reactions. Reactions that have been documented include:

    Behavior changes such as aggression and separation anxiety
    Obsessive behavior,self-mutilation, tail chewing
    Pica - eating wood, stones, earth, stool
    Destructive behavior, shredding bedding
    Seizures, epilepsy
    Fibrosarcomas at injection site
    Autoimmune diseases such as those affecting bone marrow and blood cells, joints, eyes, skin, kidney, liver, bowel, and central nervous system.
    Muscular weakness and or atrophy
    Chronic digestive problems
  • Viktoria Mar 6, 2010 @ 8:23 pm | delete
    I agree will you 100% if your dog is a house dog goes outside to do their business and play and run around for awhile and not around other dogs why do they need these shots for I am outside with them the whole time they are outside
  • Viktoria Mar 6, 2010 @ 8:23 pm | delete
    I agree will you 100% if your dog is a house dog goes outside to do their business and play and run around for awhile and not around other dogs why do they need these shots for I am outside with them the whole time they are outside
  • K9Author Jun 24, 2009 @ 11:44 am | in reply to Marion | delete
    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!
  • K9Author Jun 24, 2009 @ 11:35 am | in reply to Christine | delete
    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.
  • Marion Jun 23, 2009 @ 11:15 pm | delete
    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?
  • Christine Jun 21, 2009 @ 3:32 pm | delete
    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
  • K9Author Jun 19, 2009 @ 5:23 pm | delete
    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.
  • KM Jun 19, 2009 @ 4:49 pm | delete
    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.
  • Dog Lover Jun 18, 2009 @ 9:31 am | delete
    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.
  • K9Author Jun 17, 2009 @ 1:46 pm | delete
    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/
  • jc Jun 17, 2009 @ 7:07 am | delete
    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.
  • K9Author Jun 12, 2009 @ 4:09 pm | delete
    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.
  • Rod Jun 12, 2009 @ 2:02 pm | delete
    My Pembroke Welsh Corgi got his YEARLY (required in Indian River County,FL) rabies vaccination and developed a "tumor" like growth on the muscle at the injection site, about the diameter and thickness of a 50 cent piece! Now I just titer him and the vet gives me a receipt saying he got the shot. The county would require a letter stating all of the above from the vet, The titer ratio comes out very high so I am not worried about the dog. I am worried about the above county regulations. It seems that titer tests are mandatory for Animal Control Employees, but are not acceptable for dogs. HOW CRAZY IS THAT?
  • Rod Jun 12, 2009 @ 2:02 pm | delete
    My Pembroke Welsh Corgi got his YEARLY (required in Indian River County,FL) rabies vaccination and developed a "tumor" like growth on the muscle at the injection site, about the diameter and thickness of a 50 cent piece! Now I just titer him and the vet gives me a receipt saying he got the shot. The county would require a letter stating all of the above from the vet, The titer ratio comes out very high so I am not worried about the dog. I am worried about the above county regulations. It seems that titer tests are mandatory for Animal Control Employees, but are not acceptable for dogs. HOW CRAZY IS THAT?
  • K9Author Jun 11, 2009 @ 12:35 pm | delete
    I wrote a long reply to Noel that can help everyone with vaccine problems. Go to Comment #41 at http://www.dogs4dogs.com/blog/2008/06/18/20/#comments
  • K9Author Jun 11, 2009 @ 12:33 pm | delete
    Holly, see if they'll allow an antibody titer test to prove that your dog has immunity. (The shot is proven to last at least 5 years.) Learn more at www.truth4dogs.org and www.rabieschallengefund.org. Write me for the name of a vet who may be able to help. Get my email address at my website: www.dogs4dogs.com. Fight the system.
  • Noel Taylor Jun 11, 2009 @ 10:17 am | delete
    Hello,

    I have two unrelated 3lb Chihuahuas that have developed lumps from shots. I noticed a small lump on my female Chihuahua's hip area after she was spayed. I called the vet office and they told me they did not remember if they had given her a shot there during the surgery. My male Chihuahua had oral surgery at the same vet and came back with a lump on his back. The vet said again they did not know what caused it. My male Chihuahua also has a HUGE knotted area on his shoulder that developed after he got a shot at another vets office that the vet said was an antibiotic. They labeled him allergic although I think the vet that gave it to him drug the needle along his muscle. This was the first shot during which my dog screamed. In the past both my dogs had been given their 9-way and rabies on the same day. My male was back then what you would consider a healthy dog.

    My male Chihuahua gets extremely sore and lethargic for days after he gets his annual shots. About a month ago my dog had his 9-way shot and I refused the rabies. The vet gave him some type of anti-inflammatory shot to help with soreness. It didn't work. This year my male has had brain damage from jumping off a couch into a table. He also has excessive fluid issues in his upper respiratory tract due to a collapsed trachea and he has an enlarged heart. He is on diuretics and is going back next month for x-rays to monitor his heart. Because of these issues and his sensitivity to shots, I am reluctant to make my little dog's body deal with anything else. (by the way, he is only 2 years old!) He has never received a 3-year rabies shot (at least to my knowledge). He is due this month and I don't know what to do. The vet seems to think he can have his rabies shot now but I just don't believe that. I have been to many vets and I am not happy with any of them. Please let me know if you have any advice. I also have heard there are certain shots that small dogs should not get and that they can go for longer between shots. I am not sure if this is true. Since I practically live at the vet with my male, I want to keep him with immunity to all of the things he may pick up at the vet's office.

    Thanks,

    Noel Taylor, Pensacola Florida
  • holly Jun 9, 2009 @ 8:32 pm | delete
    my dog is 2 1/2 months out on his rabbies vaccine and he has been sprayed by a skunk 1 1/2 months ago. no he did not get bit. then our horse nipped at him and pulled his hair out by the roots and all on a spot on his neck anout 1 week ago and then he nipped at a human 10 days ago. the humane society has been trying to put him down since less than 24 hrs after he got put in quarenteen for supposivly having rabbies
  • K9Author Jun 8, 2009 @ 4:53 pm | delete
    Bandit, don't feel guilty. It's illegal to give a partial dose. You couldn't have stopped it. If your dog is having a reaction now, REPORT it to your vet immediately and see if you need to take your dog in. Make sure the reaction is written in your dog's file, and get a copy. Also report the reaction to the drug manufacturer. You'll need the brand and lot #. Don't expect your vet to do it. After that, see a holistc vet who is familiar with homeopathy. That's the only way I know of to get your dog back on the road to health. Learn more at Dogs4Dogs.com/vet I wish you and your dog good luck.
  • Bandit4840 Jun 8, 2009 @ 4:45 pm | delete
    [I agree that that a big part of the terrible reaction my 8 lb Chihuahua is having to the rabies vaccination he received 4 days ago is that the dose he got is the same as he would have gotten if were a Great Dane. I feel terrible that I didn't speak up when the vet entered the treatment room with the syringe. I felt that I HAD to do it or face the Los Angeles Dept. of Animal Services which makes no allowance for a dog's body weight. I feel like I let my little dog down when he depended on me to stand up for him. I urge others in the same situation to NOT let their small dogs suffer the terrible symptoms of a vaccine reaction that mine is now. I fear he will never fully recover or I might even lose him completely.
  • K9Author Jun 8, 2009 @ 11:35 am | delete
    Mike, one more thing. I hope you'll check out this video made by a vet in which she interviews lots of other vets about over-vaccination. I really think she'll change your mind about at least some of this. I know you don't care what I say; you SHOULD care what she and all the other vets say. www.drdomore.org
  • K9Author Jun 8, 2009 @ 11:32 am | delete
    Mike - So, you should take an animal stressed from surgery (and whatever prompted it) and also stress its immune system by vaccinating? I don't know one vet knowledgeable about the immune system who advocates that. Give Benadryl to further suppress symptoms unstead of waiting until the animal is healthy and strong? Vaccine manufacturers themselves say to vaccinate ONLY healthy animals (read the product inserts) and that vaccinating stressed or ll animals can cause adverse reactions and even vaccine failure. Most experts say to start vaccinating at 8 wks, not 6. I don't say you have to wait until 4 months; that's what Dr. Schultz says he does with his own dogs. Then he tests titers. You advocate so many shots. Have you read the AAHA Canine Vaccine Task Force report? Do you know about core vaccines? Do you know about duration of immunity? I do my homework. I talk with numerous experts before forming an opinion. Yes, I am not a vet. But neither are you.
  • K9Author Jun 8, 2009 @ 11:13 am | delete
    Mike - Where do I get my information? Not from Google, but from the top experts in the country -- Drs. Ron Schultz, Jean Dodds, and others on the AAHA Canine Vaccine Taskforce. Have you communited with them directly? I have. Many times. Take a look at the Rabies Challenge Fund, a nonprofit run by Schutz and Dodds. There is no adverse reaction listed here that is not listed there. www.rabieschallengefund.org. Re my qualifications: five years of daily research and interviews. If you don't believe this vaccine can cause problems, read the other comments here. I would hope a vet student would be open to change. Instead, you just attack.
  • Mike (cont'd...) Jun 8, 2009 @ 10:56 am | delete
    In response to "when should you not vaccinate.": Puppies usually start vaccinations at 6 weeks, and get boosters every 3-4 weeks until they are 14-16 weeks of age, at which time they receive the rabies vaccine. So you are incorrect, 4 months is not the earliest you can get vaccines. Also, if your dog has had a vaccine reaction in the past, you simply pre-medicate the dog with a shot of Benadryl before giving the vaccines, and this almost always prevents the reaction from happening again. Before, during, or after surgery? Wrong. You CAN give dogs vaccines when they are in for surgery, and this is commonly done to "kill 2 birds with 1 stone" so you don't have to return to the vet again.
    In regards to other vaccines: Try telling me your dog does not need other vaccines when it dies from Parvo, which is VERY common in the environment. Or Leptospirosis, also common (passed from the urine of wild animals). PLEASE stop misinforming everyone, and giving poor advice! You are not qualified
  • Mike Jun 8, 2009 @ 10:45 am | delete
    Please tell me, Jan Rasmusen, what qualifications you have besides self proclaimed "dog health and safety advocate?" This is the most falsely informed article I have ever read, where are you getting this stuff from? I am a vet student, and what I have learned (from reputable DVMs, not Google) contradicts most of what you say here. True, some vaccines can VERY RARELY cause injection-site fibrosarcomas in CATS, but these other symptoms are completely unrelated to the vaccine, and the fact that you even mention them is somewhat of a joke. The only common side effects that can be seen 24-48 hours post-shot are lethargy, injection-site soreness, occasional nausea, and sometimes, yes, a vaccine allergic reaction which, if responded to quickly, is easily remedied by none other than Benadryl (injected, don't try to fix your dog by giving them a pill, it won't absorb quickly enough so you DO need to take your dog to the vet). Since I only have 1000 characters, I will continue on another post...
  • K9Author Jun 5, 2009 @ 5:37 pm | in reply to cyprasedie@aol.com | delete
    Sick pets should not be vaccinated. It says so on the vaccine label. 1. Please read my article on vaccinating unhealthy animals. Go to www.truth4dogs.com and in the search box (upper right) type Sick pets. 2. See a vet trained in homeopathy to help your pet deal with the vaccine. See www.dogs4dogs.com/vet for vet lists. Do this as soon as possible to heighten the possibility of reversing the situation.
  • cyprasedie@aol.com Jun 4, 2009 @ 5:37 pm | delete
    I took my 13-year cat in for an abscess on her paw to the local vet. The vet gave her a rabies shot saying it was the law and gave her an antibiotic shot and antibiotics to take home. A few days later my can could not put any weight on her other paw that was fine before and has been unable to walk on all four paws ever since. The vet did a feline leukemia test and that was negative.
    What could have happened?
  • K9Author May 29, 2009 @ 9:34 pm | delete
    Sad dad: Your dog never should have been vaccinating while still ill. Read my post http://www.dogs4dogs.com/blog/2009/04/29/vaccinating-sick-dogs-cats/ It says "only for vaccinating healthy animals" on the vaccine label. Make sure you get your entire file from the vet. There's a lot of information on http://www.dogs4dogs.com/ Click the Vaccinating (/shots) link, and the Rabies Shot (/truth4dogs) and Vet (/vet) links. You'll find information there about filing complaints and about reporting your dog's reaction to vaccine manufacturer. For that, you'll need the manufacturer's name and lot #. Do not expect a lot of satisfaction. Filing a complaint with your local veterinary medical board is probably your best bet. Also, try contacting your local news stations. I know a woman who got her dog on the news. Here's the video link: http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/16410586/detail.html
  • K9Author May 29, 2009 @ 9:25 pm | delete
    Lynn, your dog's symptoms sound like adverse reactions to the rabies vaccine. I am shocked that anyone who vaccinate against rabies so young. If your vet did that, please find another vet. And take action against him/her. You need a vet trained in homeopathy to help your dog. Check out the links at http://www.dogs4dogs.com/vet I also hope you'll post your story at http://www.truth4dogs.com Click rabies vaccine. You also need to get your dog's reaction recorded in his/her file so you can file for an exemption next time.
  • Lynn May 29, 2009 @ 9:07 pm | delete
    My Havanese puppy received a rabies vaccine when he was only 7 wks old. I purchased him at 9 wks, and he is extremely aggressive, hyperactive, chases his tail frequently, and is biting his skin like crazy, and eating anything imaginable. I believe all of this is due to this early rabies vaccine. He supposedly was the least dominant male in his litter, and very sweet. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do??
  • sad dad May 29, 2009 @ 9:31 am | delete
    My vet had been treating my 3 and 1/2 old bichon pup for kennel cough since the day we go her. Upon our regularly scheduled follow-up visit, at which time we agreed that the pup was improving but was still congested to the point of coughing and "hacking up" mucous at least 2 or 3 times a day, the vet decided she was "well enough" to stop the antibiotics, prescribe an antihistimine to try and "dry up" the cough, and go ahead and administer the rabies vaccine. The next day she was very lethargic. We watched her throughout the day and the next morning we found her almost non-responsive and saw that she had vomitted. I took her immediately to the emergency clinic (it was a sunday) where they adi she was failing and put her on IV fluid and antibiotics. Teh next moring I took her back to the vet who admitted his responsibility and sent me to the local animal hospital where she died that night. My vet has since recanted his responsiblity. Needless to say, I am now going legal. Be careful!
  • eagleassets May 29, 2009 @ 1:46 am | delete
    I went to the vet last week and he said because I exceeded the 3 years my dog will need another shot in a year. after reading this I don't think so. Great lens thanks you get a 5* from me
  • K9Author May 27, 2009 @ 11:19 am | delete
    Lorie, your dog's sudden difficulty getting up, and other symptoms, are likely due to the rabies vaccine. Your vet, in my opinion, should have waited until the antibiotics were finished. Please read my blog post on vaccination sick pets at www.truth4dogs.com. I'd definitely go to a holistic vet, or a homeopath. There are things that will help. They should be started as soon as possible. Find links to contact info at www.dogs4dogs.com/vet Good luck!
  • Lorie May 27, 2009 @ 11:02 am | delete
    I took my dog to the vet in Jan. for a routine rabies vaccine. We found that he had a nail bleeding where it joined the skin, so the vet put him on an antibiotic and rescheduled for 2 weeks later. Went back in 2 weeks the vet gave the rabies vaccine and then another round of antibiotics. The next day my dog (7 yrs old) started having difficulty getting up, loss of appetite, etc and he has continued to get worse. I called the vet several times and brought him back in late Feb. The vet did x-rays of spine and hips, took blood to look for tick born diseases and found nothing wrong, except he was running a fever of 103 and then 105. Sent us home with another antibiotic (250 mg - some type of penecillin). My dog continued to get worse............ I decided to take him to a chiropractor which seems to be helping slightly. Is there something a holisitc vet could do that would help more than the chiropractor can? You help is appreciated.
  • K9Author May 25, 2009 @ 12:42 pm | delete
    Thanks, Bill. Ironically, giving small dogs and large dogs the same shot is a small part of the problem according to Dr. Richard Pitcairn. I left a long message at your Yahoo group page. You can contact me directly at my website: www.Dogs4Dogs.com.
  • Bill Zardus May 25, 2009 @ 11:53 am | delete
    Jan:

    You are doing great work and the part that REALLY makes sense to me are your comments about the dosage of rtabies vaccine for small dogs and large dogs being the same.

    Please consider putting a video together that covers nothing but titer testing. I have some other ideas and questions for you too. What do you think about message # 1645 in the group below ?

    Bill Zardus ....
    ccdogpark at YahooDotCom
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Dogpark-National-News/message/1645
  • bloomingtails May 20, 2009 @ 6:25 pm | delete
    Thanks for the useful information. I am always aware of balancing the benefits vs the risk for vaccines for our dogs.
  • K9Author May 20, 2009 @ 11:11 am | delete
    Wendi, progressive hind leg weakness is a well-documented reaction to the rabies shot. Contact a holistic vet (www.holisticvetlist.com) as soon as possible. This is your best shot at recovery and should be begun immediately. If you can't find a holistic vet, check out the list of vets trained in homeopathy at http://www.drpitcairn.com/referrals/referrals_intro.html Even if you don't believe in homeopathy, give it a try. It works on a completely different level than conventional medicine.
  • K9Author May 20, 2009 @ 11:04 am | delete
    Deni, the French proved, in the early 1990's, that the rabies vaccine lasted at least five years. Studies are undergoing to prove it lasts seven, if not a lifetime. I know vets who had the shot in vet school that still have immunity thirty years later. The three-year shot is guaranteed for only three years because the manufacturer chose not to test it longer. (Testing is expensive.) They would never use a shot for something as important as rabies if the immunity it gave that diminished a month after the shot was due. Ask your vet for more information.

    I presume they gave your dog the shot after the attack. If your dog is capable of developing immunity (only rarely are they not), then he should be fine. You could ask that they do a titer test (pronounced TIGHT er) to determine your dog's immunity, but you'd probably want to give the shot first, then test two weeks later. The test is expensive, so much people wouldn't do it. Learn more about shots at http://www.dogs4dogs.com/shots
  • K9Author May 20, 2009 @ 10:57 am | delete
    It is common for dogs in the same family to experience similar reactions to shots. Record the reactions and ask for an exemption next time.
  • Pat May 20, 2009 @ 9:42 am | in reply to debbie | delete
    This makes me furious that the vet "thought it was strange" that they both (brother & sister) had reactions to the rabies shot. This tells me that he is ignorant, and views the reaction as some statistical freak allergic reaction (like how the contraindication disclaimers in meds note that, say, one in a million die or go blind or whatever from a certain pharmaceutical). Also, because the dogs are brother & sister, he should know that the odds of a common reaction go way up. (Believe me, I have enough experience with doctors to know that MDs are no better!)
  • jwooten80 May 17, 2009 @ 12:14 am | delete
    Great lens! So much great information. Thanks so much for including the section about cats and the rabies shot. I have three cats, and they are like my children! If you get a chance, check them out on my lens abou them!

    Lensroll, favorite, 5 stars!
  • Deni May 9, 2009 @ 12:00 pm | delete
    My dog was attacked by a raccoon. I called the vet, the police and the animal inspector. The raccoon was shot and sent off for testing. Upon taking my dog to the vet, I found out that he was 26 days overdue on his rabies booster and the vet said it was against state "guidelines" (law?) to booster. These MA "guidelines" are aimed at protecting public health and have nothing to do about providing best possible care for the dog. I would like to know if my dog is at risk and if there is anything that can or should be done. The raccoon attack happened on April 29th. My dog was due for his 3 yr booster on March 26th. Please reply to relax@clamberhill.com
  • Wendi May 7, 2009 @ 8:19 pm | delete
    My dog Jack has been experiencing progressive hind leg weakness over the last 3 months, he has starated falling down stairs and limping if I walk him for more than 30 minutes. He is a big husky/shepherd and he is only 4 years old. He has had 3 rabies vaccinations, at 2 months, 21 months, and again 8 months ago. My vet does not believe his progressive weakness has anything to do with the vaccine but I find it hard to believe that a previously healthy and energetic puppy has hip dysplasia or arthritis. Is there anything I can do to help my dog recover from this?
  • K9Author May 7, 2009 @ 6:06 pm | delete
    Krisztina, yes, that sounds like a reaction although the blood has me puzzled. Make sure you talk with your vet and get the reaction recorded in your dog's file. This is very important. Also, I'm not thrilled that your vet gave the rabies shot with a parvo shot. They should be given several weeks apart at least. Re why do we have to give the shot every 3 yrs if it lasts 7? Actually, it probably lasts a lifetime, but there's a lot of tradition, inertia, ignorance and financial interest keeping the law from changing. Think how many businesses profit: vaccine manufacturers, the county (licensing fees), vets (to give the shot and to treat the reactions).... It's the American Way! Please see my articles on vaccination at truth4dogs.com and dogs4dogs.com/shots You have to educate yourself so you can advocate for your dog.
  • Krisztina /Vancouver,Ca May 7, 2009 @ 1:51 pm | delete
    Hi,

    Our little German Sheppard/Afghan Hound puppy (about 7months, he is from the SPCA) got his rabies and parvo shots yesterday. Almost immediately he became lethargic and started to have diarrhea. He hasn't eaten or drank since. We were up all night letting him out and cleaning up. I have been giving him water about every half hour with the help of a small syringe. This morning his stool changed and had a little blood in it. Right now I am awaiting for a call back from our vet.
    He is also a dwarf pup and was fed Macdonalds food by his previous owner. He still has his puppy fur and missing some of even that on parts of his little body.
    I don't get it! If the vaccination lasts for about 7 years why do they have to get it every year????
    Do you think his is having a reaction to the vaccines?
    Thanks for everything you are doing for our little "kids"!!!!
  • K9Author May 3, 2009 @ 3:33 pm | delete
    Janet, Janet, shame on your vet for vaccinating a dog undergoing surgery. Have you ever heard of a person getting vaccinated during surgery? Horrible! The rabies vaccine is prone with reactions and vaccinating a dog under stress is reckless. Find a better vet! Also, go to the Important Links section above and click the link Vaccinating Unhealthy Pets. Make sure the reaction is recorded, and get a copy. Apply for an exemption next time. Also, please learn more about the new thinking on giving shots. Lots of links on this page. Be an empowered pet parent.
  • Janet May 3, 2009 @ 2:12 am | delete
    I had my 5mos mutt puppy neutered yesterday. He was given his rabies vaccination while I was checking out and getting info on caring for him over the next week. We were barely out the door when he passed out. Luckily, one of the assistants was helping me out the door. She checked his gums and they were gray. The Dr. rushed out and carried him back inside and to the back. He later came out and said my puppy had gone into anaphylactic shock from the rabies vaccination. He is doing fine now. I'm thankful I was still at the Vet when this happened.

    Janet
    Divide, Colorado
  • K9Author May 1, 2009 @ 1:28 pm | delete
    Debbie, two dogs reacting to the rabies shots is not unusual if your dogs are related. Report this reaction to the manufacturer. Learn how at www.truth4dogs.org
  • debbie Apr 30, 2009 @ 12:43 am | delete
    My 2 dashunds were given their rabie shots from Petsmart in Lawrencville, Georgia. Within an
    hour on being home, their face had swollen up like a baseball. My youngest one had start
    to stop breathing on the way back to the vet. Pulled in to a vet on the way back to Petsmart. They
    rushed them out of the car and took them in the back and gave them two shots. Within a few
    hours the oldest started looking the same and the youngest started getting well right away. If I
    had delayed even a few more minutes, or had to make it back to petsmart, the youngest would
    have died. They are both from the same litter and are brother and sister. The vet told me it was
    strange that they both had a reaction from the shot.
  • Janee Hughes Apr 27, 2009 @ 10:16 pm | delete
    My little rat terrier, Polly, had a nasty reaction to her second rabies shot, with a very high fever and swelling. I was dreading the next one required three years later to get her license renewed. Then I joined the actionrats list (Polly is a wonderful agility dog) and heard about Peaches. Through Judy Schor and others, I learned about even worse reactions and how dogs are more prone to react with each vaccination. So I went to my vet with all my research, and she contacted the state veterinarian and got a written exemption for Polly. We all need to fight these senseless laws! Polly has had milder reactions to the vaccines that most vets recommend yearly, and she is not going to get those yearly any more. I believe she is at risk of serious complications from any vaccine at this point.
  • K9Author Apr 24, 2009 @ 11:09 am | delete
    Brian, this is an emergency situation. Call your vet immediately. Your dog is having an allergic reaction. Make sure your vet records the reaction in your dog's file and get a copy. Ask your vet to apply for an exemption to the rabies shot the next time it's due.
  • Brian Apr 23, 2009 @ 11:46 pm | delete
    Just vaccinated my Jack Russell and her muzzle is swelling. She is biting at her feet, rubbing her eyes and just tossed her dinner. Is there aything to give her to help with this adverse reaction?
  • Judy Schor Apr 23, 2009 @ 12:03 am | delete
    Because of there being ZERO science behind the current Rabies Vaccination laws, my beloved Rat -Terrier, Peaches wis dealing everyday with a horrific Auto-Immune disease. It will never go away. She has bloody sores on her ears, and her feet. I must give her 2 baths a day to slough away the tissue debris and keep those little feet clean. I smell the blood left on her when I gently towel her dry with each bath. This disease was diagnosed by the University of Pennsylvania as Rabies Vaccine associated Ischemic Vasculitis. I have no idea how long I'll have my little girl as she could throw a clot at any time or may just continue to be devasted by the disease. I am just so angry about this, as you would be if it were your pup. It is my opinion that these laws are made by the lobbyists and the pharmaceutical companies they work for.
    Please support the Rabies Challenge Fund Studies by donating.
    http://www.rabieschallengefund.org/ (a federally registered charity)
    These studies (3rd year now)will make a difference so YOUR dog or your childrens dogs will not have to go thru what we and many others are going thru with thier own dogs. The RCF studies are being run according to USDA regulations and will enable change based on science. Yes, based on science:) Please help-and-spread the word%u2026Thank you so much!
    Judy and Peaches
  • K9Author Apr 22, 2009 @ 11:20 am | delete
    Ashley, I'm glad you like my lens. Thanks! Regarding rushing out to get a parvo shot, please read my blog post -- just posted a moment ago -- about eliminating unnecessary shots. It should show up momentarily on this page, or find it a www.Truth4Dogs.com. Also see my web page www.dogs4dogs.com/shots Your dog may well not need another shot if she has already had all her puppy shots. You'll find the answers you need at my website. -- Jan
  • AshleyBretting-M.S. Apr 22, 2009 @ 10:56 am | delete
    Wow important and good information 5*! Another Maltese mom here :) ...I vaccinate only every few years, since she acts lethargic after her shots, they give her something to counteract this beforehand, now.

    Our pet superstores (petsmart and petco) that offer grooming, will no longer groom unless rabies is current and bring proof. Hmmm not happy about this recent development/ enforcement. Groomed her myself, which I usually do - but every now and then like a professionals touch. Looking elsewhere for grooming services in the future.

    Just heard in the local news (So. California) there is an outbreak of parvo that has flared up... so, I am thinking it may be that time again.

    Stop by and visit my dog lens ( Houndsville for people and dogs ) cute dog stories, pics and say "hello". Ahem, pardon the faux paw, meant "woof woof" LOL
  • Anonymous Apr 21, 2009 @ 11:51 am | in reply to AOA | delete
    For working "in the medical field" you need to get some facts straight. Vaccinations have no effect on the creation of "super bugs". Things like MRSA and VRE are a result of bacteria mutating when misused or unnecessary antibiotics kill some bacteria but leave others stronger, and some species can transmit resistance horizontally, i.e. from Enterococcus to Staphylococcus. I felt the need to respond to "smallpox hitting strong and hard the past few years" - smallpox has been declared eradicated from the face of the planet, unless you count the sample in the maximum security CDC lab in Atlanta. If tribal people in parts of Nigeria and India weren't so superstitious, Polio would be 'extinct' as well, thanks to vaccinations. Tuberculosis, however, is rapidly becoming multi-drug resistant and continuing to spread, as you imply.
  • karen leggett Apr 19, 2009 @ 10:15 pm | delete
    My 4 pound Russian Toy Terrier has just been diagnosed with vasculitis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia that is now effecting the central nervous system, now with seizures secondary to the 3 year rabies vaccine. I am a medical doctor, and left feeling shocked that it took 4 vets to diagnose it with 4 trips to the vet in 9 days. She is receiving treatment with IVIG (immunoglobulin), steroids and anti-seizure medications. At this point she is fighting for her life and so I have no options but critical care medicine. How is your maltese? Do you have any words of wisdom or words of encouragement for me? Thank you.
  • Linda Apr 17, 2009 @ 7:48 pm | delete
    after reading other articles and now this one....I called my vet. office. Said I sure did not want to loose them but that I was not going to do the rabies anymore. I had just recieved the notice from animal control that lic. was due and we needed a rabies vaccine to get it. I told my vet I may have to search out a holistic Dr. and she told me that one of theyre Doc's was holistic. Did not know that. I was so happy. That Dr. called me back later and we had a nice long talk. Even she does not do the rabies on her owne dog. But instead does the tieter. Pepper and I have a 9AM at the Dr. office in the morning for our tieter. Thank You so much........Linda & Pepper (toy poodle)
  • eddygobbo Apr 8, 2009 @ 10:14 pm | delete
    A very interesting, informative lens.
  • aj2008 Apr 7, 2009 @ 12:26 pm | delete
    What a good resource for anyone needing this info. Blessed by an animal loving SquidAngel.
  • Malcolm Apr 6, 2009 @ 7:28 am | delete
    Are there any vaccines necessary for a healthy 5 year old shih tzu?. Last time he had fulll vaccines at two years old. thank you..
  • rydigga Mar 31, 2009 @ 1:01 pm | delete
    Jan,

    Excellent and informative lens. I learned quite a bit. Thanks for sharing :)

    Ryan
  • K9Author Mar 29, 2009 @ 2:10 pm | in reply to Dona | delete
    Donna, you must get your dog's condition documented in his file. Otherwise, you'll have no basis to apply for an exemption to the shot when it's due again. His condition is serious. I suggest you contact a holistic vet www.holisticvetlist.com. This is the only way your dog is likely to recover completely. Also, you must report this to the manufacturer. Find links for doing this on my other rabies vaccine page www.Truth4Dogs.org (Note that it is .org.) I wish you the best of luck.
  • Dona Mar 28, 2009 @ 2:04 pm | delete
    I took my dog (Chow Chow) in for her required rabies shot on February 28. It is now March 28 and about a week ago she developed terrible symptoms which I do not know, but I believe, are probably a result of the rabies shot. She was just fine before the shot. She is an older dog (13-14 years of age) but she was fine before the shot. She now has a constant head tilt (left side low), can barely walk, actually loses her balance and falls over, and is totally lethargic. I'm worried to death about her, but don't want to call the vet because I don't think the vet will be able to help her and will just run a pile of tests and take a pile of my money. I've checked online about the canine head tilt and see that it often resolves itself. Sure hope so, but meantime I am worried to death, and I believe it has to be the rabies shot that has brought us to this horrible place. She was just fine before getting this shot!
  • AOA Mar 27, 2009 @ 6:02 pm | delete
    I work in the medical field, and quite frankly, Americans over medicate and over vaccinate. This has ultimately lead to the "SUPER" bugs we are now encounting, which do not respond to even the newest developed drugs. Research indicates rabies immunuity is effective for seven years, then it is foolishness to vaccinate every one or three years. And as to tuberculosis and small pox, they are hitting strong and hard over the last few years. With the misuse of vacs and medications, viruses and bacteria are able to "share" info between each other, making them even more resistant. Wake up people!!
  • K9Author Mar 27, 2009 @ 1:55 pm | delete
    There has NEVER been one study suggesting that dogs should be vaccinated yearly for the most important diseases: parvovirus and distemper. Yearly vaccination is strictly for profit. Every single vet school in North America, and every veterinary organization, now recommends AGAINST yearly vaccination. That your dogs survived this for-profit overkill is terrific. I'm happy for you. But remember: There are humans who survive living on fast food and cigarettes, but they're just lucky. Even the most conservative organizations now say yearly vaccination is wrong. Take a look at the AAHA report in my Links section above. And also my webpage: www.dogs4dogs.com/shots. Times have changed.
  • SR Mar 25, 2009 @ 12:47 am | delete
    Amen to that, Kate! I agree 100% with you. I have seen too many pets die of diseases that were preventable with a simple vaccination. Vaccines have stopped a ton of diseases in our country both for animals and humans. Why do we not have massive spread of Polio, Teburculosis, Small Pox and all the other diseases that killed thousands and thousands and thousands of people... because we now have vaccines to prevent them...... [in reply to Kate]
  • SR Mar 25, 2009 @ 12:29 am | delete
    I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your pet. I have been handling dogs for 28 years and I have to say... I have vaccinated ALL of my dogs every year. I have only had one dog that had a MILD reaction ( vomited once). I have owned many dogs in the past 28 years and have behaviorally rehabilitated hundreds of shelter dogs and placed them in forever homes. All of my dogs that I have owned for their entire lives have been regularly vaccinated and They all lived LONG healthy lives. I have never had a dog with cancer or thyroid or autoimune disease or any other disease. Last year I had to put to sleep my best buddy "Colby" an Australian Shephard. She was 18 years old. She recieved her vaccines her ENTIRE life. I owned her mother who lived to be 16 and was also vaccinated every year. These are just two examples of the many dogs that I have had that have never had a problem with recieving vaccinations. I have seen more dogs die from diseases that vaccinations could have prevented.
  • sheltiegirl Mar 25, 2009 @ 12:17 am | delete
    One year ago, my five year old sheltie Tobey died from complications from a rabies vaccination. A titers test would have saved him. There are really no symptoms with the fatal anemia that he suffered. When he got sick it was already too late. The anemia was deadly and quick.
    We had taken him to a clinic for his rabies shot but when he got sick we took him to our regular vet who knew what was happening to him. Tobey had enough rabies vaccine left in his system and did not need the shot.
    It took five short weeks for the illness to show, grey gums, pale to grey eye whites, lethargy, dizziness. Get titers! It will save the life of your pet. If the vet says that it is not necessary, get another vet.
    I truly hope that this helps another doggie.
    sheltiegirl
  • MARI LAFORE Mar 20, 2009 @ 1:46 pm | delete
    I wrote an earlier about my Calico kitty, Margo. Since then after three months of mis-diagnoses by three vets including the one who gave her the rabies vaccine on Dec. 5, she has been diagnosed with a mass which was seen in one lung, two ribs, and her vertebrae. They did a biopsy to determine which kind of cancer it would have been which came back inconclusive. The vets now are denying any wrong doing by misdiagnosing all those x-rays and say that the dangers of rabies vaccines causing fast growing tumors is only MY theory. Also the vet who gave her the shot keeps insisting on his innocence because he didn't give the shot in the area where the mass was found.They have all spoken to each other about this situation and I believe they are covering up for each other. Please, if there is anyone at all out there reading this who can help me write or e-mail me at mslafore@hotmail.com. My phone number is 607-251-2150.
    Margo and I thank you.
    Mari LaFore
  • meredith Mar 17, 2009 @ 7:39 pm | delete
    Hi, I have a beautiful rottielab named Fern. she just got her annual rabies shot at a clinic on Saturday. By Sunday she was feverish, panting, whimpering not eating and unable to walk at all without pain. I could not get our vet to talk to me until Monday morning early. By that time she was walking around but still sore and wobbly.My vet told me to give her Benadril. I feel like he is not taking us seriously at all. Today is Tuesday and she is walking much better but still wobbly and she fell on the stairs. Her coordination is all off and she is nervous about doing normal things like climbing into the car or up onto the couch, like her hind leg is not doing what she wants it to. She basically lays around looking sad. She is only six years old and should be up and active. Im so fearful for my girl and after looking online I still cant find info telling me what I should do for her. Can someone please help us?
  • Doris Mar 5, 2009 @ 10:32 pm | delete
    Our 14 yr old calico went for her yearly check up and shots in Dec 2008. Th Dr. found small tumors on the upper part of her right leg. She immediately suggested she might have lympho sarcoma and took a needle specmine for a lab. A week later she called and said the lab suggested a biopsy, I thought that was what she sent. Anyway, I was not very happy as she had no limp until she took the specimen, and it has gotten worse and worse. The Dr. feels certain that she has cancer (no biopsy), but other than the limp she does not act sick in sny way and has lost no weight. Is it possible she does not have cancer, and the limp if from the needle hitting something. The tunors have gotten larger. Thank you.
  • annette Feb 27, 2009 @ 11:08 pm | delete
    I had a beautiful 8 mnth old cuckapoo. my groomer insist I get him a rabie shot , because by law that's the only way they could continue to groom him. I took him into his vet at 6months for the shot/ well 3 days later he had a seizure. talk to his vet about the reaction from the shot, I was told she never seen a reaction of a seizure from a rabies shot. well 2 day later he had another seizure. long story short ,the seizueres started coming very often and,the turn into grand mal seizures. we lost our beautiful puppy about two weeks ago from having cluster seizures(seizures after seizures) It has been so hard dealing with this because I wasn't given a chance . I felt like I was lied to about the side effects from a rabies vacine. before you give your pets vacines due your research ask all types of question and don't stop there go to your internet and do you homework.
  • K9Author Feb 27, 2009 @ 4:27 pm | delete
    When your dog has a reaction, you MUST have it documented in his/her file at your vet's. In this way, you can apply for exemption when the shot is due again -- assuming your state allows exemptions. Beware all shots. Read my blog post on Titer Testing at www.truth4dogs.com. If your dog doesn't get back to normal right away, see your vet --- or better yet, a holistic vet. www.holisticvetlist.com. This is the only way to restore health.
  • TB Feb 27, 2009 @ 1:38 pm | delete
    [What did you do? Did your dog ever "feel normal again" and how long after the shot. I took my dog in yesterday for rabies and she is shaking in her back legs, has runny stool and very lethargic, although her appetite is normal. When I first brought her home, she was fine - this also started during the night too. Any information would be appreciated! thanks
  • Brenda Feb 24, 2009 @ 5:19 pm | delete
    I had my little Chihuahua had his rabies shots about a week ago, Now he is very sick, he has a fever and swollen stomach and whin with pain. He will not eat or dirink anything.
  • Mari Feb 20, 2009 @ 10:58 pm | delete
    My 7 year old Calico kitty got a rabies vaccine on December 5 and within one week couldn't bear to be picked up or touched. I have spent over two thousand dollars at two vet offices and the university veterinary school in Madison and no one could find a reason for her behavior. The vet was careless and negligent. He hit a nerve I believe and the other vets are covering for his carelessness. I don't know what to do. This vet needs to be held accountable for making my precious cat suffer. She also limps now and the new vet is trying to tell me that she must've had a hidden problem and the vaccine made it worse. They are all liars. What should I do?
  • Angie Feb 19, 2009 @ 7:24 pm | delete
    My APBT who is about 1 1/2 years old had his first rabies vaccine last week. Since then I noticed he has a bump at the injection site, mucsel spazms when he sleeps, and a little bit aggressiveness. He's always been a happy go lucky type of dog with none of these symptoms ever before. I'm really concerned considering the breed of my dog.
  • K9Author Feb 14, 2009 @ 4:07 pm | delete
    Jean, I'm so sorry for your dog. I hope you'll find a holistic veterinarian to help. Prednisone is an immunosuppressant, and can be very dangerous. Find a vet at www.holisticvetlist.com or at www.drpitcarin.com to help in a more natural way. Know that any vaccination of any kind could prove deadly. To check immunity, get a titer test for parvovirus and distemper. Here's an article about it from my blog Truth4Dogs.com. http://www.dogs4dogs.com/blog/category/titertesting/
  • Jean Feb 14, 2009 @ 3:41 pm | delete
    My 4 year old Golden Retriever had allergic reactions to her vaccinations from the first rabies shot. She walked into the parking lot of the vet and passed out.Our vet thought it was the lepto, removed it and premedicated after the first incident. Every year after shots she lost her hair and had skin problems. In September 2008, she had her yearly rabies shot - lost her hair, began the terrible itching, gained weight and developed hematomas all over her body. blood sample and a From there we discovered her thyroid gland was no longer functioning and her platelets were 7,000(normal is 200,000 to 500,000). I was told she could bleed to death internally at any minute. After 6 months she is still on high doses of prednisone and thyroid medicine to keep her alive. The prednisone has taken a terrible toll on her body. Only with luck will she survive. If she survives, she will never be vaccinated again. LAWS OR NOT, IT IS OUR JOB TO PROTECT OUR PETS FROM ALL HARM!
  • JM wrote Feb 9, 2009 @ 9:38 pm | delete
    Our dog died last week after a 2 month battle with cancer of the lymphatic system.
    He was diagnosed exactly one month after receiving his vaccinations. I am reading some similar stories and want to know more information, especially about the rabies vaccine. We are heartbroken and want to support others who may be in the same situation. Although our family and pets have been under considerable stress this year past and our dog's immune system may have been weakened, we wonder if this vaccine may have triggered this immune response. He was healthy at his check-up, they say.
  • JM wrote Feb 9, 2009 @ 9:38 pm | delete
    Our dog died last week after a 2 month battle with cancer of the lymphatic system.
    He was diagnosed exactly one month after receiving his vaccinations. I am reading some similar stories and want to know more information, especially about the rabies vaccine. We are heartbroken and want to support others who may be in the same situation. Although our family and pets have been under considerable stress this year past and our dog's immune system may have been weakened, we wonder if this vaccine may have triggered this immune response. He was healthy at his check-up, they say.
  • Dog Lover Feb 6, 2009 @ 9:01 pm | delete
    Hi guys

    Where do you get all these scary stories about vaccinations from?
    I've been dealing with dogs for almost 30 yrs now, have a professional training license, used to breed dogs
    - yet none of my dogs ever had problems like You describe here from the rabies vaccines, nor any of my friend's dogs; - nor when I lived in Europe, nor when I am living in Canada now

    Are you people all from the USA? What kind of vaccinations you have there? I thought USA is The Best..! ?
  • Margo Feb 3, 2009 @ 6:48 pm | delete
    I have a dog at the age of 13 years old. She didn't take rabies vacinne for more than 5 years after she turned older. I talked to vet and they said because of my dog does not play with other dogs and we decided to not to give her the rabies vaccine since we do not have the law about pets have to get rabies vaccine in Taiwan. I have four cats and one dog in the US. I do not bring them to vet for vacinnes. I brought them to the place like spay and neuter center. It is cheaper and people work there are very nice and always try their best to help. Anyone who has indoor cats all know Leukemia vaccine would possibly kill kitties. It is like if your cat always stay indoor then there is no need to get such kind of vaccine. I would say the rabies vaccine is the same. If your pets do not go out at all then why need to take these vaccines and later they get sick because of vaccine. I would suggest anyone to move on and find another vets if you find the one you brought ur pet is not helpful.
  • Margo Feb 3, 2009 @ 6:47 pm | delete
    I have a dog at the age of 13 years old. She didn't take rabies vacinne for more than 5 years after she turned older. I talked to vet and they said because of my dog does not play with other dogs and we decided to not to give her the rabies vaccine since we do not have the law about pets have to get rabies vaccine in Taiwan. I have four cats and one dog in the US. I do not bring them to vet for vacinnes. I brought them to the place like spay and neuter center. It is cheaper and people work there are very nice and always try their best to help. Anyone who has indoor cats all know Leukemia vaccine would possibly kill kitties. It is like if your cat always stay indoor then there is no need to get such kind of vaccine. I would say the rabies vaccine is the same. If your pets do not go out at all then why need to take these vaccines and later they get sick because of vaccine. I would suggest anyone to move on and find another vets if you find the one you brought ur pet is not helpful.
  • Marisa Jan 31, 2009 @ 9:55 pm | delete
    Yesterday I hesitantly took my dog in for his rabies shots. The only reason I did it was for his registration renewal but I tried to get out of it and I could kick myself in the butt for not listening to my gut instinct and just refuse it completely. When I returned home from his appointment he started kicking his back legs terribly, rubbing on the floor, then breaking out on his face and body, then vomiting and then a growling stomach up until the twelfth hour after his injection. It was the worst night of my life. I remember him having similar symptoms once before. I looked into his medical file and found that it had been 3 years prior that he had the same symptoms which I thought were due to a possible spider bite but it was in fact on the same day of his prior rabies vaccination. I am so angry!!
  • Roxanne Jan 25, 2009 @ 4:52 pm | delete
    My Border collie starting having seizures @ 6mths old after having vaccines.A year later we had the vaccines again and the say seizures started again. I suggested to the vet it was do to the shots. I got no help there and got a new vet. He seems to think it was the distemper that caused the seizures. 2 weeks ago She had her rabies shot and no distemper and she had grand mal seizure 3 of them in 45 minutes.I'm so mad that this has happened, and that the vets have knowledge of this and Mdo nothing. I'm also mad @ myself for not doing my research on the vaccines my dog gets. She will never get the vaccine again I made a promise to her. Lacey is only 2 1/2 yrs. old
  • K9Author Jan 22, 2009 @ 7:29 pm | delete
    LisaAnn, you MUST document this problem in your cat's file and get a copy of the file. The rabies vaccine has been proven in France (in 1992) to last for at least 5 years in dogs, and there's no reason to believe the same isn't true for cats. At this point, you need help from a holistic vet. Find one at www.holisticvetlist.com. Cortisone is an immune system suppressant and comes with a lot of problems of its own. However, do not stop it within guidance from a vet. Please find a vet who can help support your cat in healing. No dog or cat with documented problems with a vaccine should get that vaccine, and most, but not all, Animal Control operations will offer an exemption to rabies laws. I wish you and your cat good health.
  • LisaAnn Jan 22, 2009 @ 6:21 pm | delete
    My cat Gracie had a reaction to the rabies vacine (3 yr) four years ago at the age of 6, she lost her hair at the site by scratching etc..I hesitated to give her another shot given that she is an indoor cat. But on a visit to the vet with another of my cats, the vet informed me of a law that required the vaccine. She talked about bats, mice, squirrels etc and that bats and mice commonly make their way into homes, especially in the country. I decided to get my cats vaccinated. Yesterday, the vet came and gave another 3 yr vaccine to 2 of my 3 cats. Gracie was fine yesterday and most of this morning, then I noticed that she had scratched the hair and skin in an area on her back about 3"x2". After I tried cortizone, the vet put her on prednisone. she is now lathargic and non responsive. I am pretty scared...any help?
  • K9Author Jan 7, 2009 @ 3:00 pm | delete
    Jaoon - I'm so sorry about your dog's problem. I got a call from someone else this week saying the same thing had just happened to his dog. I told him and will tell you: MAKE SURE THAT THE INCIDENT WAS DOCUMENTED IN YOUR DOG'S FILE. AND GET A COPY. You have a good case for getting a medical exemption. You vet can and should file for one. Many areas allow exemptions, but vets often have to be pushed to apply. Push! Be very careful with all shots. See my lens /dogvaccines on Vaccinating Dogs for more information or go to my website: www.Dogs4Dogs.com.

    Your dog isn't cured. If you can see a holistic vet, please see one. Your dog may have lifetime problems from this shot. Find a vet at www.holisticvetlist.com.

    Good luck,
    K9Author (Jan)
  • Jaonn Jan 7, 2009 @ 2:44 pm | delete
    I took my chihuahua for his shots. I was driving home (2 miles) and looked at Taz and his face was swelled and he was having a hard time breathing. So I took him right back and they gave him a shot that corrected the situation. He is supposed to have shots again but I sure don't want to take him.
  • Mayne Dec 20, 2008 @ 3:24 pm | delete
    Hello every pet owners,

    Vaccines are killer to my 3 months Eskimo puppy even if Vet will never admit it was due to Vaccine. They tried to avoid any involvement or topic with Vaccination except saying the pet had liver damaged severely in an accident, might be caused by some kind of food, but they could not find any abnormal things or chemicals in her stomach via X-ray and blood test. My puppy uncontrollable vomiting white foam after the 1st booster shots on 14th December, 2008 and caused seizure finally. She was an energetic healthy jumpy dog all the time before the shots. Vet and pet hospital hospitalized her with 1 day IV and she was still blooding to death on the black Monday, 15th December, 2008.

    The vaccine she received was FORT DODGE DHLPPC SERIES and PFIZER BORDETELLA INJECT #1 OF #2.

    We are heartbroken of losing her. After I have done some research about the danger of Vaccines on internet recently, I was shocked about how many families had lost their pets on vaccines.
  • Mayne Dec 20, 2008 @ 3:24 pm | delete
    Hello every pet owners,

    Vaccines are killer to my 3 months Eskimo puppy even if Vet will never admit it was due to Vaccine. They tried to avoid any involvement or topic with Vaccination except saying the pet had liver damaged severely in an accident, might be caused by some kind of food, but they could not find any abnormal things or chemicals in her stomach via X-ray and blood test. My puppy uncontrollable vomiting white foam after the 1st booster shots on 14th December, 2008 and caused seizure finally. She was an energetic healthy jumpy dog all the time before the shots. Vet and pet hospital hospitalized her with 1 day IV and she was still blooding to death on the black Monday, 15th December, 2008.

    The vaccine she received was FORT DODGE DHLPPC SERIES and PFIZER BORDETELLA INJECT #1 OF #2.

    We are heartbroken of losing her. After I have done some research about the danger of Vaccines on internet recently, I was shocked about how many families had lost their pets on vaccines.
  • Barbara Dec 20, 2008 @ 11:25 am | delete
    I lost a cat to vaccines. At the age of 8, my healthy cat went for her shots. A week later, her face didn't look too good. Six months later she was overridden with cancer and died. This broke my heart. I was told that rabies vaccines were safe and needed to be taken by law. I brought my older cat, Tamika, at the age of 12 and the doctor gave her a vaccine shot. She didn't look good that day forward. In December she was diagnosed with an oral infection. I am waiting for the biopsy. The doctors think she may have squamos cell carcinoma. I took her to a naturapathic doctor before this and she told me about titers. How come the veterinarians are so quick to inject instead of inform? I think they are out for the money. Think about it. Logically, why would anyone bring a perfectly healthy animal to a vet? The veterinarians are brainwashing people into believing all these shots are necessary and must be repeated every so many years. I think its all about money.
  • jennifer Dec 18, 2008 @ 10:34 pm | delete
    A follow up

    My cat that had the reaction to the vacinnes is *mostly* back to normal but still hides more than usual. He developed a knot @ the rabies injection site no more than a week after the shot. I keep complaining to the vet ( I mean really! I call 2 or 3 times a week!) they keep telling me it's normal & call back in a month. Last week, they suggested removing and biopsying it. I made an appointment, but had concerns about the general anesthesia they insist on using on my 9 lbs cat ( he weighed 11 lbs 2 months ago.). The vet canceled my appointment. Told me to come back in a month. I am on the verge of a breakdown. I cry daily. I want to catch this before it gets out of hand, but no one else seems to care! Also, they keep confusing my cat w/ my parents' 40 lbs dog. This really does no wonders for my confidence in the general anesthesia. Someone help! is there a way to test without general anesthesia?
  • Kate Dec 17, 2008 @ 4:16 pm | delete
    I am a veterinarian, and in the past two months I have euthanized two healthy, unvaccinated animals because they were bitten by skunks who were confirmed to be rabid. I would much rather take my chances with a vaccine than take my chances with rabies, which WILL KILL YOUR PET and maybe you too. Not to mention, if you are exposed to rabies, post-exposure prophylaxis is a 3 shot series and will cost you at least $1500. Just my two cents.
  • Amber Nov 12, 2008 @ 10:22 pm | delete
    My 4 month old Pit Bull Terrier, Roxie, got her first rabies vaccine a little over a week ago. Yesterday my husband and I noticed that the injection site was swollen and hard. We took her back to the vet and she assured us that it was normal and would go down in a WEEK!! I am a nurse and I know that with kid's immunizations a reaction usually occurs within hours to a day or two, not a WEEK! Roxie doesn't act like the knot is hurting her, it just bothers me. I'm worried about it turning into vaccination site carcinoma. I'd like to get another opinion and I believe that I will. With this type of reaction, should she get another vaccine next year (which is what my state law requires)? I'm just really mad that vets aren't REQUIRED to discuss the adverse reactions with these vaccinations and let the owners have a choice as to when to vaccinate or even to do the titer to see if they even NEED to be vaccinated. I'm very disgusted.
  • Barbara Nov 3, 2008 @ 7:46 am | delete
    My chow was very healthy UNTIL he was vaccinated for rabies. After that his health spiraled downward. His symptoms were licking the paws excessively,skin lesions. I told the vet at the time before vaccination that my Chow had skin issures but he ignored it and gave hime the shot anyway. After that it was a progressive downward turn in his health. Eventually a tumor formed at the injection site. I tried every herbal remedy but my
    Chow died anyway. My heart broke when Chow went outside looked to the mountain took a short breath and fell over and died in his tracks. He was ten years old but I know he would have lived another 5 years,in my opinion, without the shot. Thank you Jesus Christ for the time that we had with Little Bear our Chow Chow. I pray that the rabies law would be changed.
  • JOEY77 Nov 2, 2008 @ 4:24 pm | delete
    I recently took my german shepherd to the vet because I found a lump. It ended up being a sebaceous cyst. The vet was also concerned she hadnt gained weight and is thin...she wants me to up her intake of food and if this doesn't work she thinks it may be EPI. Now, I didn't know what EPI is...(found out later after home researching the internet). She told me the cyst wouldn't matter for her vaccinations (because it should only be given to a healthy pet)....I told her I am only willing to get the rabies one because it's the law...she of course tried to talk me into all of the vaccinations...but I didn't give in. So, I got the rabies...but since we were over a year since her last one (she's 2 yrs old) she said we have to get the 1 year again and then booster 1 year later and then can go to the 3 year rabies vaccine...My dog also got this shot last wednesday and as of saturday she keeps throwing up! And ever since she got her puppy shots she has AWFUL SEPARATION ANXIETY...
  • Aidan Oct 31, 2008 @ 11:36 pm | delete
    Mila, my Siberian Forest Cat, has just developed a rabies vaccine-associated granuloma, from her Merial rabies vaccine that she got 10 days ago. I'm told that these granulomas usually go away, being reabsorbed by her body; however, if it is still there after three months or grows larger, then that means it has likely grown into a sarcoma and will need to be removed. I've been doing some research on all of this now, and there's a safer vaccine (Purevax--also made by Merial, oddly enough) that is NOT an adjuvenated killed virus vaccine, and it's highly recommended by one of the experts you mentioned--Dr. Ronald Schultz. If this safer vaccine is available to cats (one that causes virtually no inflammation, Dr. Schultz said), why aren't more vets using it?
  • Mike Oct 27, 2008 @ 11:57 pm | delete
    My cat got the Fort Dodge Rabbies Vaccine only because IT IS THE LAW. Thanks to the law my cat is dead. When my cat arrived home after the shot she was feeling well. She did not want to be around anyone and would sleep more than usual. She had a loss of appetite and did not want to be held. She was a real lap cat. I called the Vet and they told me these symptoms are normal the first 48 hrs following the Rabbies Vaccine. My cat never got better. Only worse. Her health got worse as the week went on. I called my Vet three times explaining her condition and was told the same thing again and again. One week after the shot I rushed my cat into the Vet and she died on the table. She went into Cardiac Arrest. The Vet tells me it has nothing to do with the Vaccine. My cat was acting fine prior to the Vaccine. My cat did not get sick until she received the Fort Dodge Rabbies Vaccine. We miss our cat so much. If only I knew...
  • jennifer Oct 22, 2008 @ 10:32 pm | delete
    I don't know if this is anything, but I had both my cats vaccinated w/ 3 yr rabies yesterday. One cat acts normal. The other has been sleeping in a corner under my bed all day. Unusual. He likes to sit in the sun and watch tv. about an hour ago, he came out and was acting normal, but then I tried to pick him up. He cried and dug his nails into my back, now walking hunched over & slow, like his stomach hurts. He's eating/drinking, tho. Earlier this afternoon, he was walking very slowly, and hesitant to put his feet down. I also had them vaccinated for respiratory. I asked if it would hurt them, but my vet said no. I was also told that there are no side effects. I had a funny feeling there would be, but couldn't prove it. Vet told me I had to vaccinate, it's the law. My cats never go outside my bedroom & have no contact w/ anyone but me. Can I argue for exemption next time? I live in Ohio. I have found only 1 holistic vet in my area. I think it's an hour's drive away. May be worth it.
  • Carly's reactions--scary Oct 21, 2008 @ 1:21 am | delete
    Two Bad Reactions

    My mixed breed terrier had bad reactions from the 3 year rabies vaccine
    manufactured by Fort Dodge (owned by a large Phara corp.). This happened twice and they reimbursed me the vet and BIOPSY fee this year, as long as I signed off on a legal doc. I talked to the research PHD, which was akin to yada, yada, yada.

    My thought is this whole industry is a scam. Think of how they forecast sales...big money and a captive market. I bet big Phara lobbyists are behind the law. Is there anything legal but wholistic that works? My other dog is up for his shot and it scares me.

    Any suggestions? I also have the batch numbers of the Ft. Dodge vaccines. It's worth it to ask your vet who is the MFG. I need to find the paperwork but will post it here and perhaps we'll see a trend and prove a point.
  • Peggy Oct 19, 2008 @ 8:03 pm | delete
    I have been anti vaccine since my granddaughter became autisitc from vaccines years ago. Three years ago we brought home a new Jack Russell pup. I took him to a homeopathic vet to get just a parvo vaccine. We gave him a ferret dose. Three days later he could not walk. He had to be carried up and down the stairs. I was lucky enough to have a homeopathic vet give him a remedy and he bounced back. He was 2 years old before he got his first rabies vaccine. That was two years ago. I'd like to find a vet that does titers.
  • Scared me to death Oct 15, 2008 @ 10:22 pm | delete
    Our little Tilly 1 yr 4 month old cat got the rabies shot today and by 7:30 Pm she had a seizure and freaked out her sister now sister is scared of her and hissing at her. Poor thing my daughter saw her on the floor convulsing, drooling, and weak couldn't move. She was breathing fast and meowing a lot at us. Almost to say help me im sick! Where can I find out the laws about vaccines, I am never going back to that vet! I hate it that they push vaccines. On top of it I have an autistic son so I know they are harmful! Please tell me of a good site about vaccines and cats next time i go to new vet i want to be in the know! Or next time i'll say draw blood please no rabies vaccine...
  • Cindy in MI Oct 8, 2008 @ 5:52 pm | delete
    Lost one of my kitties to vaccination site carcinoma. He was 10 when he died and was never an outside cat. Our previous vet (before we moved) said not to give him rabies shots since he never went outside and we lived in the city. Our new vet believed in rabies shots for all dogs and cats. Sad to think that you tried to do the right thing to protect them and they died anyway. My new puppy just got the lump (reaction) from his rabies shot. Hard to know what to do.
  • K9Author Oct 7, 2008 @ 6:07 pm | delete
    NEVER vaccinate against rabies when you're vaccinating against other diseases. Separate vaccines by at least two weeks. Check out my vaccination video at http://www.dogs4dogs.com/shots

    Jan Rasmusen
  • Leigh Oct 7, 2008 @ 5:38 pm | delete
    We vaccinated our animals three days ago, all with the 3-year rabies vaccine (and other pertinent vaccines). Our cat became very weak, and still seems under-the-weather. She has been limping (we figured the vet hit a nerve?). She hasn't vomited and is eating a little, but seems very week and is not grooming herself. I think it was all too much at one time??? Thanks.
  • Kathy Sep 25, 2008 @ 9:57 am | delete
    I have a 9mnth old welsh springer that has had no shots @ all so far. She is currently in season and I am taking her to a hometpathic vet to talk about vaccines. Should I decided to have her get the rabies shot should I wait til she is not longer in season?
  • Blu1Dog Sep 5, 2008 @ 12:35 am | delete
    We moved from one state to another. Our dog had been vacc. twice in the original state, and the new state wouldn't accept the paper work from the out of state vet, and thus had to be re vacc. At 1 1/2 years he developed terrible skin allergies, became a hairless Malinois with tumors...rabies shots???? He is gone now but the skin condition was never fixed...tried numerous types of therapy wnd no results. Beware!!!
  • andrea Sep 2, 2008 @ 9:18 pm | delete
    I had my 17 month old english bulldog vaccinated for rabies in July of this year. She seems to sleep an inordinate amount (however, she is in season right now) she has a lump at the injection site and I have had the vet check it... it seems to have become less hard and 'spread out' over the past month. I am a Registered Nurse and have been in the breed for 35 years. any words of wisdom???
  • Lauren Aug 30, 2008 @ 12:16 am | delete
    WOW, wish I read this site before I took my cat to the new vet yesterday! She's been sick, vomitting and loose stool and generally lethargic. Tomorrow I'll be bringing her to my family vet (she was on vacation) to have her checked out. This seems like a senseless and cruel law, especially for dogs since they've been declared rabies free. Lucky my dog's had no side effects but I know what to look out for now.
  • colleen Aug 21, 2008 @ 8:30 am | delete
    Cilly, my 4# maltese, turned a year old and was due for her rabies vaccine. This time it is good for 3 years. The day after the vaccine, Cilly could not even lift her head, she was lethargic, she did perk up 2 days later, however, she continued to sleep and look sick in her eyes even 3 days later. We are now on day 4 and she still appears ill.
  • Alex Aug 20, 2008 @ 9:07 pm | delete
    My 10 year old Siberian Husky bit the mailman because he was "messing" with him. Animal control made me surrender him to them for 10 days because his last vacination expired 2 weeks prior. Now 200.00 buck in fines and one rabies shot later, Sno, is lethargic, sneezy and in general in a bad freakin mood. I'm concerned this "shot" has adversely affected him.

    He has had 3 total in his lifetime, each time there was something, but not as dramatic as this. My girlfriend thinks I am weird that I care so much about a dog....I try to explain to her. To her he's a dog. To me he is my companion, my child. He was there when no one else was. And I love him. if I lose him to this shot, I will be sick.
  • Gloria Aug 18, 2008 @ 7:53 am | delete
    Gave my Giant Schnauzer Rabies May 2006. July 2006 started having exercise induced hypoglycemia. Months later with increased seizure related hypoglycemia reactions she was diagnosed with Insulinoma cancer.
    Am leary to give another Rabies vaccine and am getting a new pup but know it is the law.
    Gloria
  • Worried Mom Aug 13, 2008 @ 1:18 pm | delete
    My four year old poodle has been suffering from loss of hind end coordination since he got his most recent rabies vaccine in December 2007. We have been to ten specialists and they all say it's his back. We just had a very expensive MRI done and his back is perfectly fine. It's very frustrating. I know he had a reaction to the shot but the vets won't admit it. We're now trying acupuncture and it's helping. No more shots for him!
  • Sylann Aug 8, 2008 @ 11:29 pm | delete
    Well, my story has not gone as far as death but my 3 year old feline friend gets horribly ill everytime he gets the vaccine. The first time it happend we were so worried, he had to be admitted to the hospital and have round after round of antibiotics to help him recover. Sadly, boarding kennels and the law say we have to keep subjecting him to this year after year.
  • Lisa Jul 21, 2008 @ 9:34 pm | delete
    I like very little dogs, and mine are no more than 3 pounds in most cases. I have lost 2 after vacines. 1 developed seziures and of course nothing was found wrong so they said it was eplilpsy, she survived about 2 years with this until I had to put her down it was so bad. (BULL) The other became ill and died within 2 months. These 2 dogs alone cost me $4000. I will never again vacinate my small dogs, they dont even go outside unless they are in my arms. NO MORE, they need to control this amount they are giving little dogs. This hurt me more emotionaly then it did financial.
  • aly8 Jul 21, 2008 @ 6:26 pm | delete
    Thank you for the info about rabies shot. I have an older cat and my concern is side effects. I read that the purevac shot is better. I have no record of her shots and need to board her during a trip.
  • K9Author Jul 18, 2008 @ 1:10 pm | delete
    Mike, I'm so sorry to hear your dog's problem. Rear-end lack of coordination after a rabies shot is a well-documented reaction. I'd see a holistic vet if I were you. A vet who won't admit or recognize a reaction won't be able to help. See www.holiscticvetlist.com. And check out my page www.Truth4Dogs.org for more information.
  • Mike Whitney Jul 18, 2008 @ 12:53 pm | delete
    Good day,

    My wife and I have two Boston Terriers. We vaccinated the youngest as per the 'professional' recommendations from our vet. Two days later while in the park with Tika, her hind lets went limp. It was a heart-wrenching site. She is only 1.5 yrs old and very energetic. I ran over to her completely confused. I massaged her rear spine and hind legs, but to no avail. Proceeding to carry her home, I placed her down 50 m later and she was okay. The following day, my wife came home at lunch to find her in the same state. Again, later that night (yesterday) she was struck again. My wife did take her back to the vet that afternoon, but not surprisingly, the vet doubted any relation. They took blood and x-rays - This morning it happened again, and it's troubling for her (ears back, lethargic) - My wife and I are beside ourselves - any fellow dog owner can relate to the pain we feel when our best friends are injured. My wife and I had tears in our eyes seeing her in that state.
  • totalhealth Jul 17, 2008 @ 10:14 am | delete
    very informative lens. I'm glad I came across this lens. Now I can be more careful with my pet's vaccinations because my friend's dog died after a rabies vaccination.
  • Julie Jul 15, 2008 @ 4:33 pm | delete
    My parents took their dog in for rabies shot. They took her in to get her hair cut soon after and she was very agressive. Then very soon after she stopped eating and was getting sick. The vet did blood work and said she looked fine but she continued to go down hil. They took her to another vet who said she was bleeding interanally. She was put to sleep today after not being able to stand, eat and throwing up blood. She was fine before this firs shot. Are these reactions that can be caused by the rabies shot????
  • K9Author Jul 15, 2008 @ 12:49 pm | delete
    Wendy, call Animal Control or your vet immediately. Rabies is fatal for both animals and humans. If your cat is already showing signs, it may be too late to help. Only a vet can tell you. In the meantime, keep everyone, and all animals, away from the cat. Get help! Sorry. Wish I had better news. --Jan
  • wendy Jul 15, 2008 @ 12:39 pm | delete
    I have a question to ask. Is there anyway we can treat an animal with rabies? My cat Lira has experienced signs of rabies. I am not sure if she has been vaccinated before. We had found her in the beach. And i am hoping for an answer. Please, help me. I love my cat dearly, and could not bear to see her like this.
  • tigerrram9 Jul 14, 2008 @ 7:21 pm | delete
    Our beloved pet past away today 4 hours after getting his rabi shots. Why? The vet says that has never happened before, they offered to dispose of the body free of charge. We burried our little friend in our back yard. Speedy was 14 years old. I don't think he needed the vaccine, but the law says he did, Now he is gone. He was fine this morning and by 2pm he was dead.
    Rest in peace our little old friend. What can be done to stop this tragedy and bring awareness to this harmful law.
    Jerry
  • Mary Jul 7, 2008 @ 11:43 pm | delete
    Hi. Around 1995 our 6 year old poodle died from a cancerous growth that wrapped around her spine near the injection site...Then in 2003 our Jack Russell had not one, but two horrible reactions that I finally said "enough"...I did get a new puppy 2 years ago, but only got her 'puppy shots' and will not give her another rabies one for at least 5 years...
  • alicesy Jun 26, 2008 @ 10:11 pm | delete
    Excellent Lens. I like the quality insight you have provided here about The Rabies Vaccine for Dogs and Cats: What You Need to Know Now. Keep up the good work.

    Please check out my Reverse Cell Phone Lookup and Unlisted Number Search Site.
  • Laura Jun 18, 2008 @ 4:00 pm | delete
    My heart goes out to all of you. My Sheltie, Baby, has cancer, and my Maltese, Aldo, has so many problems: behavioral, constant licking, fear, allergies, separation anxiety. My holistic vet says Aldo's problems stem from the rabies vaccine. I noticed a change every time they CAME from the vet"s, especially after a surgery (even neutering or spaying). I always had a terrible feeling giving the vaccines, but I was afraid not to! Every time we put Frontline on the dogs, my husband would hate it. He said if it killed insects, it must be bad for dogs--well it is! When it's time for my dogs' next rabies vaccine, my vet will write a note to the state, stating that they are highly allergic and can die from them! PLEASE DO THE RESEARCH! At least 25 colleges agree with animals being overvaccinated. Some aren't even needed past 6 or 12 months! I heard a vet saying that she hasn't given any major meds or vaccinations to her pets for 10 years, and they're all fine, after her former dogs had died! L
  • Judi Jun 3, 2008 @ 1:04 pm | delete
    My dog was just diagnosed with immune mediated retinitis, his thyroid is low and he has a mass on his underside where his right leg joins his body. We took him to an animal ophthalmologist and he's on doxycycline and prednisone. Our vet doesn't want to take responsibility for the rabies vaccine causing this, yet on the day of his vaccine he had a well check up and they found him to be extremely healthy other than a few excess pounds attributed to winter weight gain. My dog is not the same dog and the vet is giving us the run around. I'd like to know why they have no responsibilty to disclose adverse reactions these vaccines may cause. Our vet simply says he's not obligated by law to disclose anything and further he doesn't want to cause public panic. I'm mad as heck and am seriously looking to sue this vet but don't know where to go with my complaint.
  • boodidyajump May 28, 2008 @ 5:24 am | delete
    Very interesting and informative lens. Being in the UK I had no idea what a problem it could be. petmedscenter.com
  • J.S May 27, 2008 @ 8:50 pm | delete
    My dog had a rabies shot today. I asked the Vet why my 7 lb indoor dog needed one if he will never be exposed to wild animals? The Vet told me that if he was to bite someone he would have to be put down- if he did not have the shot. So I folded. I wish I would have stood firm and had not let them administer the shot! If only I had researched more before my trip to the Vet. Thanks for helping to spread the word. If our vaccines are potentially harming our children, what are these vaccines doing to our pets?
  • Jan May 16, 2008 @ 9:24 pm | delete
    I am so glad more is being written about the dangers of adverse reactions to vaccines. In September, 2007, I lost a beloved dog to vaccine-induced hemolytic anemia. She died a horrific death. I had been assured by my veterinarian that "killed" vaccines were completely safe. What a dummy I was. More veterinarians need to get with it and realize that some dogs and cats simply cannot handle vaccinations and safer alternatives need to be available. I am still heartbroken.
  • Tobey May 13, 2008 @ 12:23 pm | delete
    My Wiemaraner had been getting the rabies vaccine on schedule since he has been in my life. Last shot he received was a disaster. First I discovered a large egg shaped fluid pouch at the injection site and the vet refused to see a connection with the vaccine. It had only been a week and as the egg shaped fluid pouch began to disappear he was rushed to the vet because his face and throat swelled up ten-fold. Had my roomates not been home he would have died. Still the Vet Clinic refuses to make a connection. He no longer goes to that vet and he will not receive the shot ever again.
  • Mary May 12, 2008 @ 6:24 pm | delete
    After my dogs lost all their hair in that area I never gave them the shot again. Also one of our little rescues had such a bad reaction to the rabies shot that not only did the hair fall out at the injection site, but it swelled up so large that the skin burst and she requred 8 stitches to close it up!!!
  • Molly May 12, 2008 @ 7:19 am | delete
    I wish I had known the risks associated with the rabies vaccination before it was too late. I lost my 3-year-old beloved kitty to anaphylactic shock from a rabies vaccination. She died in about 2 hours after receiving the shot. Her reaction started with vomiting and then diarrhea immediately followed by lethargy. I rushed her back to the vet immediately. They administered cortisone and IV fluids to try to save her, but she could not be saved. She was an indoor cat only and the only reason she had the shot was because I thought I was being a responsible cat owner by following the law. She was my little baby and left us only 5 months ago. My heart still aches.
    It is my hope that there are many who can learn from this: the vaccine companies, responsible pet owners, and veterinarians. I have never heard a vet mention that any kind of risk is associated with vaccines - whether it be vaccine associated sarcoma, or adverse reactions. I hope people will learn.
  • GoodInfo May 10, 2008 @ 7:17 pm | delete
    Important information, and well done: five stars!
    My neighbor just lost her 10 year old dog to the effects of a legally required rabies vaccine. Just a week ago, another friend had her Sheltie colapse in the street just after leaving the vet's office for a legally required rabies vaccine. Please visit my lens on Natural Rearing for more on why we have to re-think "standard" veterinary care. NR Breeders on Squidoo Thank you.
  • Kristina Hanson owner of 2 vas cats. www.myvascats.com May 4, 2008 @ 10:55 am | delete
    I lost two cats to VAS ( vaccine associated sarcoma). Most people are not warned of the risks involved when taking their pet to be vaccinated. We trust our vets to do the right thing for our pet. But do they ? NO NO NO a thousand time No. Don't be fooled by the vet who tells you VAS and adverse reactions to vaccines are very rare. IF they told you of the risks involved you would never vaccinated your pet and they would loose the one thing that matters the most to and it's not your pet it's the allmighty $$$$$$. If our pets health was their main concern don't you think they all the vets in the county would come together and take a stand against OVER - VACCINATING ? A vet has to be vaccinated against rabies but there vaccine lasts years 10 years 15 years on even their lifetime. Why is this? They have titer testing done and if their antibody levels are up they don't have to be re-vaccinated. This is the way it should be for our pets. Don't wait until it's to late; Do the research now.
  • Addie May 4, 2008 @ 3:26 am | delete
    My chihuahua had a rabies shot about 1 1/2 months ago. Very soon after he seemed to often be gasping for air and is still doing so occasionally. Also, in the inside part of the ear flaps (not the inner ear) he has scabs and bumps and his ears feel leather like. Would love some advice.
  • Alli Apr 29, 2008 @ 8:55 pm | delete
    Wow this site told me exactly what i needed to know about rabies shots for my cats and dogs! Thanx!
  • Telyaka Apr 28, 2008 @ 7:24 am | delete
    My dog ran away from home and was picked up by the harris county pet shelter. When I went to pick him up I was told he needed to have a rabie shot before he leaves or i will not be able to take him home. So I allowed them to give my 3 year rottweiler the rabie shot on April 25th 2008. As of now my dog has a hacking cough or a gasp for air as if he cant breathe. I dont know what to do for him. He has always been a healthy dog and always playful now he's just weak and has no life in him. I am very disappointed in this. Had I known my dog would have side effects to a rabie shot, he wouldn't hasve gotten one. Rabie shots are no longer needed for dogs.... What can I do to help him. I gave him childrens benadryl and I noticed his hair is falling off. I need help fast.
  • ADELPHI189 Apr 25, 2008 @ 6:53 pm | delete
    I TOOK MY HAPPY AND HEALTHY 7 YEAR MIX PIT IN FOR A 3 YEAR RABBIE SHOT ON MARCH 23,08. ON APIL 18,08
    SHE DIED AT THE VET. THE VET SAID SHE HAD LYME AND HER SYSTOM SHUT DOWN.THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 3 YEARS I LOST 2 GREAT PALS. MY FIRST DOG I HAD TO PUT HER TO SLEEP AS PER THE VET SHE CAME DOWN WITH A RARE DISEASE. BETWEEN THE AND THESE SHOTS I DO NOT CARE FOR THEM AT ALL.
  • WisePati Apr 24, 2008 @ 1:18 pm | delete
    Any information on which rabies vaccination is the safest? Fort Dodge? Would love to know more about this since I have to vaccinate my dogs every 3 years in Michigan. NO expemption at all.
    Also...read about the poor little dog getting all immunizations at once. I wouldn't got to a vet that didn't listen to me. No need for a 7-way! Only need the core vaccinations and then not yearly. Vets can make a lot of money from the vaccinations. Just check any discount vet supply to find out how much they really cost and see. Not all vets are like that, but I truly think they have been brainwashed to think vaccinations are safe. We as pet guardians need to educate ourselves and not just rely on the vet.
    My own dog had a mile seizure 1 day after a rabies vaccination and though my vet listened (and respects my wishes), she didn't think the vaccination was the cause. I do.
  • nan Apr 23, 2008 @ 5:38 am | delete
    our 6 month old had her rabies shot in november and within 3 days was lethargic and rushed to emergency. They treated her for renal failure and wouldnt even consider the rabies vaccine. Weimaraners have many reactions to many shots the rabies vac is not exempt. She had a lump at the site for 3 months. At the same time we had a 13 yr old and 11 year old also vaccinated, both had lumps at the site and died within 3 months. They were both very healthy before this!! Very scary
  • nanawahma Apr 18, 2008 @ 11:56 pm | delete
    Yesterday, I had my 5lb male Chihuahua, George vaccinated for rabies and several other canine related diseases. The 7 way vaccine and the seperate rabies. I have always given the 7 way myself,this time the vet insisted that he give he 7 way and the rabies at the same time. Well, today my baby dog, is showing muscle weakness in his hind quarters and at the injection site. He had no injections in his hindquarters. I called the vet as this has never happened before, and they said it was just from the pain of the injections. So they gave him prednison a common anti-inflammatory medication. However, I can see that the rabies vaccine has caused a problem. I've never seen a reaction like this in any of my pets. After doing research online and finding this lens I can see that the vaccine did cause the problem with muscle weakness. The prednisone seems to be helping, but I am worried that this may be longterm. I was not aware that rabies vaccine had this type of adverse reaction. I'm upset...
  • Claudine Brown Apr 1, 2008 @ 8:39 pm | delete
    Last Friday, I reluctantly held my tiny 2 year old Pom for her to get a second Rabies shot! I didn't want them to have to have them again!
    Saturday, she developed, what I thought was a chest cold, heavy breathing, hacking as though trying to cough something up. Today, I nearly lost her. I though it might be a sugar drop when she fell over and couldn't geet back up! By the time I got her back home, her temp was 104, and she could barely stand. The trip to the VET, confirmed that it apparently was not caused by low sugar, and much to my surprise--her lungs were perfectly clear! No sign of a cold! She almost went into a seisure while being examined, and is now on medication, twice a day, for the next month to try to control them! I am hoping some antioxidants can be given to help rid the toxins now. One of mys sisters Poms, has once again become very aggressive since last Friday's
    Rabies shots. They are also fighting skin problems which could also be from the shots a year ago.
  • Mar 23, 2008 @ 8:44 pm | delete
    Nice dog model. And that cat part about the growth of tumors in the spine is quite, quite disturbing. Check out my cat health insurance lens when you get some time, I'll have to look into vaccines and insurance coverage. And I applaud you for donating the royalties from your work to good causes.
  • dual-shock-3 Mar 21, 2008 @ 6:10 pm | delete
    Thanks for the great information ,really cool lens.
    sky high auctions
  • Linda Michaels, MA, CPDT Mar 16, 2008 @ 4:02 pm | delete
    Bravo to Jan Rasmusen for interviewing holistic veterinarians and bringing their views on controversial pet health issues to pet parents who are open to a fresh look at pet health.

    As an AKC Certified, CPDT wholistic dog behaviorist, I am interested in the well-being of my charges in every respect.

    Most recently, I was training a Labradoodle puppy who had, unbeknownst to me, suffered a bad reaction to an initial round of vaccinations. The reaction was not severe, however, and the pet parents chalked it up as just a transient illness. Within hours after the second round, Dixie, was on middle of the night watch with instructions to bring her into the emergency facility if she got just one iota worse. The parents were heartbroken and wondering how they would explain Dixie's disappearance to their children in the morning if she did not pull through. Dixie was better but weak when I arrived for our next lesson.
    Linda Michaels, MA, CPDT
    WholisticDogTraining@cox.net
    Del Mar, CA
  • bdkz Mar 8, 2008 @ 5:03 pm | delete
    Very interesting lens! Welcome to Squidoo. I've given you a Squid Angel Blessing!
  • JohannTheDog Mar 8, 2008 @ 9:01 am | delete
    Great lens - good that you are sharing such important information! Woofs, Johann
  • NatChar Mar 5, 2008 @ 9:06 pm | delete
    Yes, Yes! Thanks for bring this information to us for all to see. Very informative lens. Well done!
    5 Stars!
  • Carolyn Feb 28, 2008 @ 7:16 pm | delete
    Maggie got a lump on her chest that lasted 9 mos. It was biopsied and shown to have "foreign matter inclusion bodies." Vet was stumped. Just as the vet was recommending removal it went away on its own. Don't know if it was related, but she'd had her rabies vaccination 3 weeks prior to its appearance. Scary.
  • WeaselPuppy Feb 27, 2008 @ 11:20 pm | delete
    Good information to have out there. The legislated overvaccination for rabies is very frustrating.
  • SemperFidelis Feb 27, 2008 @ 8:26 pm | delete
    Very nice lens K9Author! Looks like you put a lot of effort into it, as it shows! 5*
  • kemengr Feb 27, 2008 @ 7:52 pm | delete
    A very good lens. You have put your heart into it. Well done!
  • j white Feb 25, 2008 @ 3:26 pm | delete
    I had my two english springers vaccinated last week and noticed yesterday this big lump on the back of their necks where they had the rabie shot. i called my vet and he thought it was unusual for the both of them to have the same reaction. He told me to just keep an eye on it and let him know if I see any changes to it.
    Is there anything I should be worried about with these lumps?They are pretty big.
  • Pat Feb 25, 2008 @ 1:52 pm | delete
    Zubi had his last rabies vaccine over 10 years ago. When he reveived that last shot, the lymph nodes nearest the vaccination area swelled and his hair fell out (never to grow back). The vets diagnosed him with Lymphoma and removed several lymph nodes. When they biopsied the nodes, they found they were not malignant, but he had had an adverse reaction to his rabies vaccine. We have not had him vaccinated since. He is 15 now, and in great health.
  • Lisa Feb 24, 2008 @ 7:33 pm | delete
    Two days after our Maltese, Romeo, received his rabies shot he became extremely aggressive. Our sweet, loveable puppy vanished. He began to snarl and bite anytime he didn't like something, causing me to bleed almost daily. This is NOT typical Maltese behavior! We hired professional behaviorists, changed his diet, brought a "balanced" dog into our home... Nothing worked. As a last resort we contacted Maltese Rescue and they told us to euthanize him, which I couldn't agree to do. Fortunately, I was able to rehome Romeo with a wonderful woman who has experience with difficult dogs and who is trying to rehabilitate him. I fully blame his changed personality on the rabies vaccine.
  • Margaret Feb 24, 2008 @ 7:13 pm | delete
    If you go to a truly holistic vet that understands the problems with vaccines, they may be able to write a letter exempting your dog from the rabies vaccine, even if your dog has not had an adverse reaction in the past. I am not willing to risk my dog's health with further rabies vaccinations. My holistic vet does not feel my dog needs further vaccinations to be protected and she feels it is risky to a dog's health to give vaccinations. So she was happy to write a letter exempting my dog and I was able to send that in with the license application and get a license for my dog (they just started requiring licensing where I live in the past year).
  • Stacey Bullock Feb 22, 2008 @ 9:30 am | delete
    Thanks for all of the great information! Lulu and I both appreciate it!
  • Sheila Harrison Feb 21, 2008 @ 7:56 pm | delete
    Wish there were more sources for pet information like yours.

    Keep up the good work.
  • RogerSD Feb 17, 2008 @ 7:44 pm | delete
    I learned so much. Thanks!
  • Feb 16, 2008 @ 5:24 am | delete
    Great Lens 5 stars from me!
  • karyn Feb 15, 2008 @ 8:43 pm | delete
    great information!!! chiclet is on the leading edge of dog health and i hope that all reading take her advice. She will save you, and your pet, much unnecessary aggravation. my dog, Petey, sends her a huge lick and promises to never let a vet vaccinate him against rabies.
  • charlino Feb 15, 2008 @ 7:03 pm | delete
    Very nice lens.

by

K9Author

Hi. I'm Jan Rasmusen, author, newsletter writer, dog health and safety advocate. After my Maltese Jiggy was diagnosed with life-threatening immune-mediated... more »

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