Rabies

[tanksmom]

I'm confused. A dog gets the Rabies Vaccaine. Its good for 3 years except in certain counties where they make you get it every year. What benifit is it to get it yearly? The dog gets over vaccianated(cant tell me it has NO side effects), and the same dog thats mama didn't get it last year is stll unvaccinated. I cant see how it stops Rabies from spreading. I can see how money spreads. Is that the big factor? Or am I over looking something? Am I the only one whos considered NOT getting it done? Not to put my dog at risk but because its overkill? I'm to much of a law abider to ever do that though.

[kalina82]

Originally Posted by tanksmom

I'm confused. A dog gets the Rabies Vaccaine. Its good for 3 years except in certain counties where they make you get it every year. What benifit is it to get it yearly? The dog gets over vaccianated(cant tell me it has NO side effects), and the same dog thats mama didn't get it last year is stll unvaccinated. I cant see how it stops Rabies from spreading. I can see how money spreads. Is that the big factor? Or am I over looking something? Am I the only one whos considered NOT getting it done? Not to put my dog at risk but because its overkill? I'm to much of a law abider to ever do that though.

there are no benefits to getting it done every year. I'd get it every three years because its required by law. if your dog has a reaction to the vaccine you can do a rabies titer instead to check the amount of antibodies it has against rabies and then get a letter from your vet.

[Rosey07]

Here in Mississippi we have a chose...we can get it every year or every three years but, for more money.

[Ladymom]

You are absolutely right. Sadly, Pfizer makes the vaccine and it is identical whether it is given annually or every three years. It's just packaged differently under the names Defensor I and Defensor 3 to satisfy different state's requirements. Pfizer's own testing showed that the vaccine lasted for at least three years.

[TJsMommy]

Every year in august our town does a free rabies shot for all our dogs. They require it yearly for the first 2 years and then every 3 years. i had a pitt bull for 7 years and she did ok with it.

[Yorkiekids]

We can do it either yearly or every three years here in Florida.

[Little Bit]

Originally Posted by tanksmom

I'm confused. A dog gets the Rabies Vaccaine. Its good for 3 years except in certain counties where they make you get it every year. What benifit is it to get it yearly? The dog gets over vaccianated(cant tell me it has NO side effects), and the same dog thats mama didn't get it last year is stll unvaccinated. I cant see how it stops Rabies from spreading. I can see how money spreads. Is that the big factor? Or am I over looking something? Am I the only one whos considered NOT getting it done? Not to put my dog at risk but because its overkill? I'm to much of a law abider to ever do that though.

They have done studies that show it lasts at least SEVEN years! But of course that would cut into the vet's revenue too much! That's what's behind it.

This vet here was very instrumental in getting the law changed from yearly to three years in Texas. http://www.critterfixer.com/Vaccination%20Clinics.htm

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by Little Bit

They have done studies that show it lasts at least SEVEN years! But of course that would cut into the vet's revenue too much! That's what's behind it.

This vet here was very instrumental in getting the law changed from yearly to three years in Texas. http://www.critterfixer.com/Vaccination%20Clinics.htm

I don't really know if vets are against it because it would cut into their revenue. They don't really make that much off giving a rabies vaccine. It's still recommended to have a yearly exam and heartworm test, and they make more money off of those two things than a little Rabies vaccine. Actually, I've never heard a vet being against vaccinating less as long as it's safe for the animal...I think any vet that seems against it probably is just not up to date on the latest info about vaccines and how long they last. So many older vets have been doing yearly vaccines for years and that's just all they know to do unless they've stayed "in the know".

[Little Bit]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

I don't really know if vets are against it because it would cut into their revenue. They don't really make that much off giving a rabies vaccine. It's still recommended to have a yearly exam and heartworm test, and they make more money off of those two things than a little Rabies vaccine. Actually, I've never heard a vet being against vaccinating less as long as it's safe for the animal...I think any vet that seems against it probably is just not up to date on the latest info about vaccines and how long they last. So many older vets have been doing yearly vaccines for years and that's just all they know to do unless they've stayed "in the know".

Maybe not as many people not come in for the yearly exam and bloodwork if it wasn't required by law to go in for the rabies every year. A lot of vets charge an office examination fee also, even if all they did was give the shot.

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by Little Bit

Maybe not as many people not come in for the yearly exam and bloodwork if it wasn't required by law to go in for the rabies every year. A lot of vets charge an office examination fee also, even if all they did was give the shot.

Yeah, that's probably true for those pet owners that do the minimum for their pets. So you're probably right in that aspect. I'm sure that may be true for some vets out there. I hope to see dogs and cats having to be vaccinated less though...I think it's important to remember that most vets are animal lovers too and want the best for our pets...so I'm sure a lot of vets will be happy to see our pets not being overvaccinated as well

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

Yeah, that's probably true for those pet owners that do the minimum for their pets. So you're probably right in that aspect. I'm sure that may be true for some vets out there. I hope to see dogs and cats having to be vaccinated less though...I think it's important to remember that most vets are animal lovers too and want the best for our pets...so I'm sure a lot of vets will be happy to see our pets not being overvaccinated as well

Very well said. My vet is wonderful and up to date on current vaccination protocol. Years ago, when Dr. Dodd's recommended vaccine protocol was first adopted by vet schools I asked my vet about doing titers instead of vaccinations and she was 100% in favor of it.

I did read an article, though, several years ago that said that about one quarter of a veterinary clinic's revenue comes from annual vaccinations. It gets the patients in and then they also sell them flea and heartworm products, etc. It suggested that vet would have to raise their prices if the three year protocol was generally accepted. Sure enough, my vets have gone from $28 for and office visit to $48, but rechecks which used to be free are now $38.