Will Falconer, DVM Moderator
Thanks for this example, Karen. All too common, I'm afraid, and those who try to find comfort in "I'm only doing rabies, it's the law!" please take heed. I've seen a lot of damage done from this idea.
In Kody's case, he illustrated the relationship of a nervous system virus (rabies makes its home in the brain, changes behavior to allow biting, and so spreads to others) and nervous system disease (convulsions). I'm so sorry you had to go through this and lose your nine year old dog.
If Kody's experience informs just one other dog owner to avoid one more unnecessary vaccination, he will not have died in vain.