#1
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When is the best time to get rabies
Hi,
My dog was born on Jun23 2009. I believe she got her Rabies on late June or July last year. I want to take my dog to get Rabies on May 30 2010 is it too early to get her rabies shoot? thanks Alice |
#2
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My best advice is for you to give your vet's office a call! They'll usually have the information about her rabies shot and when she is due for her next vaccinations.
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#3
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Quote:
A few things to keep in mind. One of the lead vaccine specialists has been recommending that all puppies have a two series rabies vaccine 3 weeks apart. For all other injectable vaccines, there is always a minimum of a second booster. There is some evidence that only 50-60% of all puppies that are vaccinated for rabies once at 16-20 weeks of age will still have any immunity by 9 months later. This leaves 40% who would not be protected against rabies if they were exposed. Luckily epidemiologic studies have shown that whether you vaccinate 50% or 100% of a given population's rabies dog population, the statistical number of rabies cases will remain unaltered. Anyways.... so giving two rabies vaccine less than a year apart is not a problem. The 3 year versus 1 year rabies vaccines differ for one HUGE important reason... the label. Initially the rabies was tested for a 1 year study and shown to be efficacious. Then later, the studies were extended to 3 years, shown to be efficacious and then stopped. At some point, the testing may be extended for much, much longer. (Important note: this long lasting effect of vaccines pertains to some viral vaccines only. Vaccines against bacterias, toxins, protozoans will last much less and need to be boostered yearly or in many cases at 4-6 months out if you want protection against them.) Important note: while other vaccines (ie. distemper) you can use as 3 year vaccines regardless of labelled duration - due to the risk of human infection from pets; it is important that you follow the label for the sake of legality. Additionally it is important to follow state and national laws that apply. If I am not mistaken, Texas requires a 3 year rabies vaccine to be given annually due to their high coyote rabies problem. Since 1980 there have been more cat rabies cases than dog rabies in the United States. Whenever someone gets bit by a dog, the first question (after the profanity) seems to be "is your dog vaccinated??!" I do not hear this from people getting bit by cats. Luckily rabies is a rare disease but it is still present. Hope that helps.
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Christopher A. Lee, DVM, MPH, Diplomate ACVPM Preventive Medicine Specialist With a Focus on Immunology and Infectious Disease myvetzone.com |
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