I've read just about every article and thread on this site about vaccinations. I have a couple of questions, one of which is this thread.

Ed recommends not giving Rabies until the pup is through teething, at least 6 mos. My question is why? What is the benefit of doing so, and what is the risk of not doing this?

Thanks,
leih merigian

Teething is stressful on the pup, if you vaccinate it is also stressful and the combination of the two stressors at the same time may overwhelm the immune system and have the potential to increase vaccinosis.
By not vaccinating there is a very small risk of the animal contracting rabies as well as the risk of legal trouble with the authorities for not vaccinating by a certain age (usually 16 weeks).

Debbie is spot-on with her answer.
We're waiting for my pup's final two teeth to come down all the way before we take her for her rabies vac.

If I had any choice, I wouldn't vaccinate her at all, but alas, the law is the law.

 Quote:

the law is the law.

Which is precisely why "the law" thinks mine are all dead;-)

Strange that I hate giving my dogs the rabies vac, and yet I've fought the Army for years to get the same stupid shot for myself.

my conventional vet will not give rabies until six months at the earliest.

Thanks you guys, that makes pefect sense.

I wouldn't give the rabies if it weren't required by law. At least here in VA, you can give the three year vac every three years, instead of every year, as it was in OH. How nuts is that?

I am thinking a lot about the whole vaccination issue, as I expect to get a new puppy in the fall. She will be minimally vaccinated, only distemper and parvo, and only as a pup, and separated, individual doses.

I'm also thinking about my 10yr old GSD, who is due this summer for rabies. I stopped with annual vacs/boosters for her when she was 4 (wish I'd realized sooner). I've been seriously considering not giving her the rabies vac. I guess I'm wondering what the consequences are likely to be, legally. I have been lax about getting her annual tags. I guess that's only a problem if you get into trouble with animal control for some reason. I am wondering, will the vet have to report me if I don't get her rabies shot? I doubt very much that VA is a state that will accept a rabies titer in lieu of the vaccination.

How do those of you who don't do rabies deal with vets? We end up with occasional injuries that need vet help, and I believe in annual exams, so not going to the vet isn't really an option. My girl is has also started growing things; so far, benign things, but they have to be checked and sometimes biopsied. I don't see not going to my vet as an option.

I'll discuss this with him, but it's one of the vaccination issues I've been wanting to discuss with the members here, too.

Thanks again,
leih merigian

My vet just accepts the he's already gotten them excuse and doesn't push the issue. Really with canine rabies being exinct in the north american continent (yes there are other rabies forms... but) I can't see the need except in the issueing of dog licenses which in my mind shouldn't be connected to a medical procedure.

Really the only one of my dogs with an updated rabies shot is my lab because of her contact with wildlife, biological hazards, and other people when hunting.

The law, at least in Chicago, is 4 months. I am questioning though, how the heck would someone get "caught" for not vaccinating? I suppose if your dog got loose or bit someone and they made a police report, but other than that...
Here is an example of what MIGHT happen:
My vet knows I don't vax, and he told me like this- I was getting a cat neutered, the cat is vax-free, he said IF the cat did bite someone, he would have to be quarantined at the vet for 10 days, and I would have to pay for his boarding. That is by law. I was willing to take that risk, and everything was fine. This is a strictly indoor cat, anyways.

I am not suggesting anyone not follow the law, just questioning, why would I be worried about waiting an extra 2 months to get a rabies vaccine. As an average person, I tend to break ordinances and laws occasionally.

Strange. Usually the observation period for rabies is at least 90 days, since symptoms can take that long to present.

Here in Pierce County, it's 6 months.