Rabies Vaccine Questions - PLEASE answer ASAP!

[chibul]

Sorry for the rush, but my appointment is Thursday.

My puppy (German Shepherd/Husky mix, named Oliver, 16 months old) was due for his rabies vaccination on July 7. I've put it off and put it off because of being unsure about giving him the shot, as I know there's an increasing trend toward not vaccinating your dogs after their initial puppy shots. Basically, this is a two-part question:

#1.) He's scheduled for a rabies shot and a rabdomun shot. Should I get these? Should I only get the rabies shot? Should I cancel the appointment? Money's tight right now, but that's not too much of a factor, because if my little boy needs it, he'll get it. My question, basically, is just that - does he need it? He had these shots a year ago, when he was four months old.

#2.) The quoted total for these shots comes to $47.95. Is that a little high? It seems really expensive, and I know we didn't pay that much last year. Should I consider going to another vet? I feel like I may be getting railroaded here.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[whatszmatter]

You have to get rabies by law every year, or every three, my state is every three, you can pass on the other ones if you want. So go and get at least the rabies shot if that is what he's scheduled for.

 

[Fran27]

I personally don't think we can overvaccinate a 16 week old.

That, and you *need* rabies shot.

 

[weylyn]

http://www.caberfeidh.com/Revax.htm

 

[LizzieCollie]

I personally self vaccinate its tons cheaper, the rabies vaccine is less than 12 dollars and you dont have to pay the vet visit. You need someone to teach you though. Lizzie is getting the rabies vacc. soon even though there really is no need for it (at least where im at) but its better safe than sorry.

If self vaccinating is an option i'd say go for it. Then you'd only take the dog in for yearly checkups

 

[Wiggle Butt]

I personally think vaccines do more harm than good. I only vaccinate for rabies because I "have" to.

 

[Bobsk8]

I can't believe that anyone in this day and age would recommend to not get Rabies Vaccine for your pet. Not only is it life threatening for the dog, if they are unlucky enough to get Rabies, but you could be responsible for the death of someone that your animal bites. How selfish can people be?

 

[cowgurl6254]

Have you ever been around an animal with rabies? It is the saddest thing you will ever see. If your dog is EVER outside the house, you should get the rabies vaccine. Wild animals are usually the carriers of it, but the disease makes them overly agressive and your dog could likely get bit. Also, it is transferable to humans, so you can become infected yourself. Please get the rabies vaccine if nothing else.

 

[chibul]

I personally self vaccinate its tons cheaper, the rabies vaccine is less than 12 dollars and you dont have to pay the vet visit. You need someone to teach you though. Lizzie is getting the rabies vacc. soon even though there really is no need for it (at least where im at) but its better safe than sorry.

If self vaccinating is an option i'd say go for it. Then you'd only take the dog in for yearly checkups

Well, a local store that I frequent sells the 7 in 1 vaccine (that includes parvo and all of that), and we self-vaccinated him with that when he was 10 weeks old. Would you do the rabies shot the same way?

If not, I'll just take him in tomorrow. Do I need the rabdomun shot, though?

 

[cowgurl6254]

Well, a local store that I frequent sells the 7 in 1 vaccine (that includes parvo and all of that), and we self-vaccinated him with that when he was 10 weeks old. Would you do the rabies shot the same way?

If not, I'll just take him in tomorrow. Do I need the rabdomun shot, though?

Don't give the rabies shot yourself if you don't know how. Watch your vet do it tomorrow and ask him to show you how. Then next year when he needs it again you can d.i.y.

 

[elegy]

the rabies vaccine is required by law and it is required by law that it be done by a veterinarian. you cannot do it at home. if your dog were to ever bite somebody and you did not have him vaccinated for rabies, you'd be in a heap of trouble and he could be put down.

at the clinic where i work, an exam is $39.75 and a rabies vaccine is $15.40. so no, i don't think you're getting railroaded. i think you're making out quite well.

to the people who vaccinate at home- just remember, not all vaccines are created equal. the lower-quality ones are more likely to cause adverse reactions and/or not provide adequate protection. and the most important of the whole yearly exam/vaccines appointment is the exam. you can't do that at home.

 

[iheartsammy]

wait..it's alegile (sp?) not to have your dogs rabie vaccination? OMG! sam needed to get har vac in like febuary! I feel like a bad person!

 

[Caren+Bailey]

wait..it's alegile (sp?) not to have your dogs rabie vaccination? OMG! sam needed to get har vac in like febuary! I feel like a bad person!

Don't feel bad if you didn't know.
Just have her booked in for it ASAP

 

[Mordy]

Actually the more you can push the rabies shot to 6-7 months instead of 4 months of age, the better. It should also be given separately from any other vaccines to minimize stress on the body.

For anyone interested in the topic of vaccination, especially in regards to overvaccination, please have a look at these two sites, print them out and discuss them with your vet:

http://newvaccinationprotocols.com
http://www.critteradvocacy.org

This isn't some "random hokey" written by an uneducated person, but by a well respected veterinarian who has been making a huge effort to educate pet owners about vaccination.

 

[Mordy]

I personally self vaccinate its tons cheaper, the rabies vaccine is less than 12 dollars and you dont have to pay the vet visit.

In the U.S. most states require that the rabies vaccine is only administered by a licensed veterinarian, so I urge anyone who wants to self-vaccinate to examine their state legislation thoroughly.

Rabies is a serious disease and in the worst case a self administered rabies vaccine is not considered valid, which may very well lead to someone losing their dog if there's any dispute. Diagnosis of rabies in animals is only done post-mortem (meaning the animal has to be killed), so people should carefully consider whether they want to put their dogs at risk like that.

 

[chibul]

The only thing I need to know now is if I need to have my vet administer the rabdomun vaccine. I haven't seen anything about it on the website links you've provided, but he's scheduled to get it along with his rabies shot tomorrow. Is it necessary, or should I tell them to not give it to him?

 

[LabBreeder]

You have to get a rabies shot every year (or 3 depending on which one you got). Usually they give the one year to pups and then, if your vet has it, you can get the 3 year.

$47 isn't bad. Ours was $25 for the visit and another $15 for a vaccine and rabies shot.

 

[bubbatd]

This is why I like an established Clinic that is on top of things ! They sure know more than I do and will spread out shots if they feel it's for the best of their clients.... not me, my dogs !

 

[Mordy]

Rabdomun is a brand of rabies vaccine.

 

[chibul]

Rabdomun is a brand of rabies vaccine.

So then why am I getting both a rabies shot and a rabdomun?