Possible adverse reactions

The rabies vaccine is the only legally-required vaccine for companion animals in the United States. It’s administered primarily to protect humans from their pets should those pets be bitten by rabid bats, coyotes, raccoons, foxes or other animals. This is all well and good EXCEPT that the vaccine is known to cause serious side effects in cats and dogs, many of which are listed below:

Immediately or up to 3 days after the shot:

Vomiting
Facial swelling
Fever or lethargy
Circulatory shock
Loss of consciousness
Death

Days, weeks or months after the shot:

Fibrosarcoma (cancer) at the injection site
Seizures and Epilepsy
Skin Allergies
Autoimmune diseases, including organ disease, allergies and skin problems
Chronic digestive problems
Muscle weakness, especially lack of hind end coordination
Chronic digestive disorders
Skin diseases 
Behavior problems: aggression, destructive behaviors, separation anxiety and odd obsessive behaviors (like tail chasing and paw licking)

Report any reactions you believe might be linked to the shot to your vet immediately.

Few of us are warned about these possible adverse effects, and even when our dog develops them, we are not made aware of the connection. The vet may not even recognize unexpected or rare reactions. Adverse reactions are seldom reported; all reporting is voluntary. A federal reporting system for all veterinary vaccines is needed. Read more about rabies shot reactions from the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

The FDA admits that vaccines are not tested for safety except by vaccine manufacturing companies. Vets do not reliably report adverse reactions. The FDA relies on the public to report problems
once the drug or biologic is released into the public.

 

Did you know that a Chihuahua and a Great Dane get the same dose shot? This puts the small dog at a greater risk of adverse reactions. You can legally do nothing about this.

 

 

Do you live in a state requiring yearly vaccination?   With USDA approval, some three-year rabies vaccines are relabeled as one year products. Your pets are being over-vaccinated by receiving a full three-year dose every year.
 
HELPING YOUR DOG WITH THE RABIES VACCINE

If your dog is ill, delay vaccination until your dog is well. Do not allow matters of convenience (yours or the vet's) to alter your decision. Let your vet, and your dog's health, guide you to a safe time to vaccinate.

If your dog is due for a rabies shot, consult a vet trained in homeopathy if possible. A homeopathic remedy given with the shot, or even afterwards, may reduce or even eliminate the chance of ill effects. Find a referral list for holistic vets at www.holisticvetlist.com or check http://www.drpitcairn.com/referrals/referrals_intro.html for vets trained in homeopathy.

Do not give a rabies shot within 2 weeks of other shots.

Do not give heartworm or flea meds, and do not worm, without proof of need and not within two weeks of vaccination.

If you suspect your dog is suffering an adverse reaction from a rabies vaccine, I recommend consulting a holistic vet. Among other things, they may recommend a homeopathic remedy to clear the vaccine from your dog's system. If you continue to treat your dog's symptoms without treating the cause, you'll likely be treating increasingly bad symptoms for the rest of your dog's life. 

Know that repeated vaccination does not make an immune dog MORE immune. Renowned vaccination expert Dr. Jean Dodds compares immunity to pregnancy: you’re either immune or you’re not. Furthermore, if you're immune to a virus, you're also immune to the virus in the vaccine!

If your dog is chronically ill or immune compromised, he or she may be able to receive an exemption to rabies vaccination. You will likely still have to pay license fees, but your dog may avoid the shot either for the licensing period or the life of the dog, depending on the situation. Your veterinarian will have to apply for exemption giving reasons and providing documentation. Do not allow your vet to tell you this is not possible. If at first you don't succeed...  Note: some locales do not allow exemptions. Read what some activists are doing.

Have your vet document all reactions to all vaccines in case you ever need to apply for an exemption in the future. Make sure they're recorded in the dog's file and GET A COPY.

If your dog is at high risk for rabies, know that the only way to guarantee a dog's immunity is to have his or her antibody titers tested. Your veterinarian can perform this simple (not cheap) blood test. An animal may be repeatedly vaccinated and yet never develop immunity if his/her immune system is malfunctioning.

Your kennel, groomer or doggy day care facility may require proof of rabies, but more and more establishments will accept titer testing. If they require vaccination more frequently than the law requires, endeavor to educate them or find another establishment. Their ignorance is a threat to your dog's health.

Note: The "one-year" shot is no safer than the "three-year" shot. In fact, as it has to given much more often, it is more likely to damage health. Worse yet, experts say that the "one-year" shot is often a "three-year" shot that has been relabeled.

Renowned veterinary vaccination experts Drs. Jean Dodds and Ronald Schultz (Chair of the Department of Pathobiology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison) are volunteering their time to conduct five and seven year tests to prove how long the vaccine protection lasts and to increase the time between shots. The University is waiving its overhead fee--usually 48% of direct costs. The second phrase of the study will test the safety of the shot’s ingredients and will establish an adverse effects reporting system--something desperately needed. All donations go to the direct costs of the study.

Animal Talk Naturally Podcast  

Kim Bloomer hosts a great hour-long interview with rabies vaccine experts Dr. Jean Dodds and Kris L. Christine, Rabies Challenge Fund founders. Download the podcast so you can speed forward or back.