Quote: Jenni Williams

.or do what I do, and tell the county he's dead. They must wonder what I keep doing to kill all my dogs.

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I do like the answers and questions you give me because even though I "hackle" at times, you do force me think, think, and re-think

Well, I don't mean to get your hackles up...I'm just very direct.

A rabies vaccine lasts for a MINIMUM of about seven years...possibly life, hence the Rabies Challenge. Yes, it's the law. Lots of stupid things are laws, most of which I abide by, but I will gladly face legal consequences for doing what is right and healthy when it comes to my animals.

I'm not aware of rabies in much except bats and skunks in our region, to be honest. Only Caleb is current on rabies, and he's had only one shot his entire life. I may keep him current depending on where I end up living just in case he were to be in a position to bite someone; I don't want him beheaded to check for rabies. Laws vary as far as quarantine after a bite. Simon and Xander have never had a single shot or medication their entire lives, and are probably the healthies, hardiest, most robust animals I have ever owned. Not that my previously-vaccinated ones aren't...but these 2 have an extra something about them.

Back to your situation. I was just asking b/c you were saying you didn't want to vaccinate him further due to over-vaccinating him in the past, yet you were talking about his rabies due in Feb., so I was confused.

I think any responsible vet with half a brain will agree that your dog on thyroid meds does NOT need another vaccine...ever.

 Quote: jenni williams

 Quote:

I do like the answers and questions you give me because even though I "hackle" at times, you do force me think, think, and re-think

Well, I don't mean to get your hackles up...I'm just very direct.

Don't worry about it. I like directness and I admit I was a bit confusing.

Raccoon varient rabies has been marching toward Indiana from the east for years. I have kept a search up but haven't found that it IS in Indiana. However, I did wipe out a raccoon population near my house due to aggressiveness in the daylight hours, salivation, unkempt appearance,faulty gait, etc. No one seemed interested in my dilemma, so I took it upon my self to take care of the situation. Were they rabid? I don't know. No one wanted to test them.

I have done a search on the Internet and so far, Indiana does NOT allow titers as a documentation of resistance to rabies and so far I cannot find a waiver allowed for health reasons. Having said that, I don't know what my vet will do in Hambone's situation.

It a horrible dilemma to be in right now. I have a month to make up my mind what I will do. Right now, I see the decision as damned if I do and damned if I don't.

ALWAYS be direct, focused, and continue to keep up your discourse on this board. I always learn from your posts.

Hi Jo,

I may have missed this in the thread, but is this the only vet you have consulted? Some vets are more pragmatic in their approaches to vaccinations and recognize the deficiencies in old laws on the books, hence willing to bend the rules a little bit to accommodate animals that are indeed immuno-compromised, etc.

If this were my dog, I would be calling up lots of vets and bringing my dog in with all of his documented health issues to "interview" or test each vet.

I found one vet, but she has since moved. I can try a different county. I am still searching, studying, taking in all the advice..back up by research ( thanks to all )...and will look into more options.

(I apologize to the beginning author of this thread...it has really veered off due to me.)

The only shots Toro has received was what he got from the breeder. I've had him since he was 9 weeks and have not had him vaccinated at all. He's two now, I have been thinking about rabies but I'm still in no rush. I would like to know however when the time comes to enter him in events/sports are there any I should get? I know a lot if you have experience in this department, and I am very confident about the opinions of this board.

Loki, who has had only a single rabies shot his entire life, has been my healthiest dog ever, he had one case of upset stomach that scared me to death, but he was fine through the entire thing and recovered quickly.

He just seems to have a glow that I haven't seen in my vaccinated dogs.

http://www.vaclib.org/exempt/animal-exemption.htm

In case anyone would like to know if their state exempts from vaccination due to illness, I found this.