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Replies on Your Dog Bit Someone and Out of Date on Rabies Vaccine?

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Replies to Will Falconer, DVM · Back to discussion

Kelli

I have always believed the vets and literature that says your animals have to be vaccinated annually (now they say every three years after the second vaccination) to keep them protected from rabies, as well as other boosters.
My husband has a dog from before we were married who has established himself as a biter. He has trust issues and the first time he bit me was early in our relationship (7-8 years ago.) I thought we were past the trust issues but tonight he bit me twice when I entered the room - puncturing the skin above my left ankle and drawing blood at my right knee. I did startle him but his aggression did not abate even after I spoke to him and turned on the light so we could see each other.
His rabies vaccination is out of date by a few years but there is little risk he’s been exposed recently; I was concerned any risk of exposure is too much if not seeing a doctor could result in my death.
I hate the idea of having him euthanized but I am equally if not more against the risk of my 4 year old being bitten.

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Tricia

URL of AVMA Rabies Waiver policy: https://www.avma.org/KB/Policies/Pages/Annual-Rabies-Vaccination-Waiver.aspx
The part I highlighted when I put in my book is in the first paragraph:
"However, AVMA recognizes some animals might require a waiver from rabies vaccination because the vaccination poses an unacceptably high risk to the health of the individual animal,..."

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Shama

I have a beagle mix, Barney, who on the way home from his 3rd rabies shot had a seizure in the car. A month later he started having cluster and Grand mall seizures. He's been in Phenobarbital for the past 4 years and it's affecting his liver. The Vaccine ruined his Heath for life. I have proof of past vaccinations for him and will also titer and arm myself with the ammo mentioned above.
I also have an 8lb toy rat terrier, Sadie, who I adopted at age 2, she's now 6. The previous owner died before I could get her vaccination records. I don't have any proof of Rabies for her but I know she was vaccinated at least once because I called her breeder (I did get that record). They give all vaccination records to the adopter and had no copies. I know small dogs are at higher risk for reaction to vaccination. What do I do? Can I prepare her before and treat after a vaccination to protect her? She's mostly an inside dog but we've been attacked several times on our walks by loose dogs and I want to protect her from euthanasia if she bites anyone or anything during a skirmish. I plan in doing a Titer, but that's all I have for her. I don't want what happened to Barney to happen to her.

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