Comments on Rabies: Agonizing Choices Can Be Sound Choices

Love this site and your work! My 7lb morkipoo is now just over a year old and I'll be honest...she has zero vaccinations because my childhood dog nearly chewed himself to death for YEARS from allergies that (after researching) I'm guessing came from vaccines. I've also read that even one shot can later lead to harmful side effects... And then there's the horror stories of people's yorkies and Maltese pets dying shortly after a rabies vaccine. BUT in order to become a licensed foster care parent in the state of WA, I have to have my dog vaccinated and re-vaccinated according to their schedule UNLESS a vet gives us a note saying it would be detrimental to the dog's health. Do you know any vets that might help me?

My 2 year old girl got all her puppy vaccines unfortunately before she turned 4 months because she was a rescue, and these rescues are so strict about these vaccine schedules. I did not do a follow-up rabies vaccine after 1 year. I just now got her titers checked, and apparently she has plenty of immunity for parvo, distemper, etc.; however, my partially holistic vet said that her rabies antibodies are low. Her level is .2 iu/ml (and apparently the level of undetectable antibodies is .1). I'm doing research and trying to be informed about all of this. I am hearing from holistic sources that any level of antibodies (even miniscule) is sufficient. However, it still makes me a little nervous to think about her level being so "low" and close to the "undetectable level," since rabies is such a serious disease. I am super against vaccines though and it would also make me nervous to give her a rabies booster because of potential vaccine-damage and health risks. Like I said, I am researching and your content has been very helpful - thank you so much! What would you do in my situation? I read that you would recommend a second follow-up rabies shot (which my baby never got). Would you recommend a booster in my case? Or would you not, because she showed at least a small amount of antibodies? Thank you so much for all you do to help us care for our animal babies naturally!!

My dog got all recommended vaccines, with the final round given just when we adopted her when she was 4 months old. At 9 months old (in May) she developed idiopathic epilepsy. She was "due" for all her boosters in December, but given her neurological condition, I'm extremely wary of any additional vaccines. I've been told by our primary vet that a positive titer doesn't ensure protection against rabies and that one is the most crucial to give ASAP. Our holistic vet is advocating for administering a "vaccine clearing" remedy in the near future to possibly address any effects from initial vaccines. I've been reading article after article and have no idea what the prudent choice is for our situation.

I have 6 month old golden retreivers. They have had zero shots, not even from the breeder. We feed real food, raw and cooked. Huge variety, including organ meats, veg, fruit, salmon and coconut oil. I have them on parvo and distemper nosodes, started 2 weeks ago. They are healthy and growing like crazy. After reading the above about rabies, I am concerned I should get them the v@x because they run in a pasture with wild animals around. Coyotes for one. They love to chase the rabbits. Should i get them the rabies? Im also concerned if they happen to mouth someone and they want to know if theyve had it. Please explain because after reading the above info, I am confused. Thank you

Will,

Can you comment on the first paragraph of the "Human Keeps Her Head, Keeps Her Papers in Order" section where you advise (in some cases) a rabies vaccine at 4 months and 1 year?

I visited a hoistic vet today and was given lyssin to give to my cat after the rabies vaccine... I'm now reading its diliuted rabid dog saliva??

Is this safe? lol..

Do you have a preference on which rabies vaccine to use? I have heard stories for and against the Thimerasol free vaccine.

My 16 year old Mainecoon is having issues with his mouth/teeth. He was given rabies vaccine when he was a kitten and again when he was 6 as we were moving to Dallas from Canada. The vet is saying if he needs dental work/surgery he will have to get rabies vaccine again. Is there any way around this? What options do I have? He’s an indoor cat, 16 years old, completely raw fed. He’s been healthy until last summer when he had an episode (we believe a stroke). We watched and waited and he did a complete recovery as far as we can tell. Thank you for any advice you can give.

If a pet owner decides to give a rabies vaccine, do you recommend to give a vaccine reaction homeopathic remedy before the rabies vaccine and after? If yes, what products do you recommend to purchase? Are there companies in the United States who offer a vaccine reaction product? There is a company called homeoanimal.com based out of Canada. They have a vaccine reaction remedy, do you recommend this product as well? Thank you for any information you can offer.

I too had received advice about giving rabies nosodes, in my case, monthly for ongoing protection against rabies. Just found this cautionary article concerning this practice:
https://www.thewholedog.org/id63.html
So, I suppose the heartworm nosode on a monthly basis is different than the other nosodes?
Thanks for this article. My pup from a stray is maybe 1.5 years old now. I had him titer tested for rabies about a year ago, with nothing showing. So, I believe it is time for me to pray over him, have him rabies vaccinated, and trust for the best.

How does one go against the law and not vaccinate? How can we stop shelter animals from being vaccinated. How do we know if vets don't vaccinate behind our backs? Is there a guide on which remedy to give for vaccinosis? I know that it's all based on the symptoms and behaviour an animal presents.

Practical ideas ! I Appreciate the details , Does someone know where my assistant would be able to find a template CDC NASPHV Form 51 form to type on ?

Thank you for posting this in your "oldies but goodies" (although it's not THAT old!). I have been agonizing over whether to get my new dog, a lab mix (now 5 months old) vaccinated for rabies. We live out in the country where there are plenty of wild animals which might be infected. When I got the pup at around age 10 weeks, she had already received a combination puppy vaccine plus coronavirus vaccine at about 8 weeks. From the time I brought her home, she became increasingly itchy and lost fur. I did not have her vaccinated any more as I did not feel she was healthy, although other than the itching (which is a BIG issue), she seems healthy, runs and plays and eats well (combo cooked and raw). Through trial and error (as I cannot afford to visit a homeopathic vet) with some homeo remedies, her itching has lessened and the fur is growing back. So based on this article, I do feel somewhat more confident about allowing the rabies vaccine for her. Thank you.

We have 5 dogs, all raw fed and raised without chemicals/pharmaceuticals. Three came from rescues so have been vaccinated. Two were strays and I know one of them has had a rabies shot. I did get a rabies shot for our youngest. Thought about it for a long time and finally got her one when she was 2 years old. I don't plan on getting any more for anyone. We live in a rural county in South Carolina and so far they county officials aren't interested in licensing dogs. They would have a redneck revolt if they tried, I'm sure. So I'm lucky in that regard.

You are correct, it does not makes any sense and it does not accomplished anything. If an animal bites a person, what would be accomplished waiting 6 months? By that time the person would be dead of rabies if the dog or cat was rabid.

“This immediately puts your animal in the class of “vaccinates” instead of non-vaccinates, and even if a bite happens years later, and you can show this proof of rabies vaccination, the worst case scenario is quarantine and observation for ten days.”
I just had my consultation with a homeopathic veterinarian here in Maryland, while talking about rabies vaccines she said that the Law here in Howard County, Maryland was if the dog bites somebody and was in the "vaccinates" but not current according to the authorities the quarantine was for six months, having the dog in a cage, and the authorities coming to your house to check every week. How about this for PAID. She also said they have gotten stricter in the last few years. It seems that instead of going the right way, they are taking the opposite side of the road. How about this for INSANITY!!!.
Esther

"This immediately puts your animal in the class of “vaccinates” instead of non-vaccinates, and even if a bite happens years later, and you can show this proof of rabies vaccination, the worst case scenario is quarantine and observation for ten days."
But this would only be helpful if a bite, animal control, vet requirement, etc happened during that 1st yr since Rabies vax say initial vax is only "good" for duration of 1 yr, then "booster" w/the "3 yr" Rabies vax". I think the 1 yr/3 yr vax is a bunch of hooey but that is what animal control, state veterinarians, & most vets recognize.
Dr. Falconer, any suggestions of how to extend this legal recognition beyond the 1st yr w/out needless re-vaccination? Neither my state nor any of my holistic vets recognize Rabies titers as "legal".

Ugh! Rabies nosodes, Lyssin? I did not know this was a rabies nosode until recently. A year ago one of my dogs was vaccinated for rabies, and this "holistic, homeopathic" veterinarian trained under Dr. Pitcairn, here in the state of Maryland insisted this was what you were supposed to give after the rabbies vaccination to counteract the effects of the rabies vaccine. Doctor Pitcairn had told her that. Really? Your client was sold the rabies nosode by a homeopathic supplier not a veterinarian, I thought you needed a prescription for nosodes.
Your topic on Sunday was very interesting, as usually, you are a very honest and brave man, and I admire that a lot. There is a part in there which confused me, and I got lost a little, you said you advised the customer who were using nosodes to continue with the rabies vaccines because if any bites would occurred the result would likely be euthanasia and brain testing. Why was this case different, did I missed something? was it because they were moving to another country? In most cases you advise like in your patient Buddy.
In the subject of nosodes, would a Lyme nosode be effective during time of exposure on Tick season? Lyme is very prevalent here in the East coast. Deers are everywhere here, and we have very wet weather. There are a lot of people with Lyme disease here, I am not suggesting nosodes for people just pets if possible. I also would like to know where Maria, the person who posted above in the blog, and who said she started 3 Dog's tail lives. Maryland do not have many holistic veterinarians given that recommendation which is extraordinary good.
Esther

Dr. Falconer,
I find it very refreshing to read your blogs because you always say it like it is.
I personally vaccinated my dogs against rabies when they we're small so they could display there "tag" around their neck, and was told by my holistic veterinarian to never do it again, and instead opt for titers .
I am aware of the "new" vaccination protocol from Dr. Schultz and WSABA but not many veterinarians choose to follow it, why ?? money???
The mission of my company 3 Dog's Tail is to divulge as many information as I can to pet owners so they can make a wiser choice.
Just recently I saw on of my neighbours dogs limping when I asked what was wrong they told me that at age 16 he had jut gotten his vaccination shots. Needless to say, I explained that yearly vaccinations were unnecessary and in most cases harmful.
It is unfortunate that many pet owners blindly trust their Dr. White Coat veterinarians.
This blog has been shared on my facebook page !
And Cindy, may I ask where you live ?
Maria