Well all the dogs went to the vet today for their chips, heartworm tests and basic tune up in preparation for the big trip. All went well until I returned back to the CG which is about 45 minutes from my vet.
I went to pick up my one boy and his privates looked swollen, wrote that off to the fact that the vet had used an antiseptic towelette when he was checking him over. THEN I put him down in his expen and his ENTIRE face and head started swelling right before my eyes.
I picked up everyone and threw them all back into the truck so fast they didn't know what hit them and headed back to the vet testing the speed limit signs all the way there.
Darned if he didn't have a serious reaction to the rabies shot he got.
He just started having trouble breathing when we got there, the vet techs saw my truck and where waiting for me at the door and grabbed him out of my arms and started working on him.
I am very anti 'current protocal' for vaccines and my vet and I had just had another one of our long discussions about it before I left the clinic. He just rolled his eyes when we got back there and said "of all people to have their dog have a reaction it had to be you!"
It was a scary day for us, but they kept him there and he is doing fine.
This happening makes me a little bit remorseful about full-timing,and not having access to my vet, who I think is the best vet in the world.
Now that he has had a serious reaction to rabies, I thought I read somewhere that you can get a cerificate from your vet that will suffice to not having to give him a rabies shot again.
Anyone else ever had to get a medical letter to legally excuse your dog from getting another rabies shot?
31 ft Four Winds
Chevy Tracker 4x4 BlueOx Aventa LX We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
Maggie (4# Chihuahua) had a reaction like that the first time she received her rabies & booster shots. A quick trip to the vet fixed it. The next time we separated the shots by a couple of days and things were fine. The next two years, we gave them together and she was fine. This year, she had a reaction again. Same vaccines, same vet each time. They don't now why this happens, it appears, but having a different vet was not the reason. I believe all states require rabies vaccinations so not having them isn't an option. I would, however, get a statement from your home vet to the effect that this dog is prone to this reaction and the treatment he recommends for it. I would also have the dog neutered - for several reasons, but not the least of which is this reaction. Plus it is the responsible thing to do to avoid unwanted animals.
Sorry your dog had the reaction. Very scary! I'm glad you were able to get him back to the vet so quickly. It might have been much worse if not treated properly!!
I had something similar happen to one of my Lhasas, not that severe but some swelling once and lethargic for a few days after another time....that's why I never get all their vaccinations at the same time now, but most importantly I make sure it's not a certain type vaccine made by Ft. Dodge.
I suppose you could start doing the titer testing instead of standard vaccine protocol. I did that for a couple of years after his first incident... but I warn you it can be EXPENSIVE and the results are not exactly accurate, too many variables in titer testing.
I did the three year rabies vaccine last year and a few months later took them back for their other vaccinations with no problems at all. I don't know if that's an option for you or not but it seems to work well for us. Of course I always make sure they don't have ANY other medications given to them for at least 10 days before & after the vaccines.... no heartworm preventative, no topical flea treatment, nothing. I honestly think that makes a difference with my dogs.
Cat
(Jim just reads the forum once in a while)
Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some sort of battle.... Live simply, love wholly, give generously, care deeply, speak kindly.
I just had a patient about a month ago that had similar reations, but hers was a more of a delayed sensitivity - took about 2 days to develop. We did a protocol where we pretreat with benedryl, separate vaccinations, and even used a different product than had caused previous reactions. This was the last time I'm going to vaccinate her. I wrote a letter stating the facts and recommending that she not be vaccinated.
The problem is how government entities react to this situation. You probably will get local people who will license your pets even without the rabies vx, they know your vet and can contact him/her and discuss the situation. Crossing borders or other travels where health certif. or proof of vx are needed will be out.
Also, if a bite incident occurs your dog will be treated and considered "unvaccinated" and will have to endure what ever quarantine regulations the locals have.
One other thought, get a prescription for an epi-pen from your vet. I have found that an animal that has had this severe allergic reaction will be more prone to allergic reactions to bee stings and the like. When you are out in the boonies, this might be a life saver.
Doug, DVM
Doug & Sandy
Megan (14 yr old Golden)
2008 Southwind
2001 Honda CRV
dturm wrote: .......One other thought, get a prescription for an epi-pen from your vet. I have found that an animal that has had this severe allergic reaction will be more prone to allergic reactions to bee stings and the like. When you are out in the boonies, this might be a life saver.Doug, DVM
THANK YOU for that tip!
My list of 'have to get' for this fulltime adventure keeps getting longer.
I forgot my other little guy had a severe reaction from a bee sting a couple of years ago and now that I'll have 2 of them with allergic reactions, I'll be off to the vet today to get the epi-pen.
I also made an appointment to have his teeth cleaned on Monday before he had that reaction. I really am leary of going thru with that now.
Another option is to keep track of the manufacturer of this rabies vaccine and insist that the next one be from a different manufacturer. Sometimes the reactions are to the formulation (the other stuff in the vaccine) not to the antigen (rabies virus).
Mark
Mark & Renee
Jasper the Greyhound
Working Border Collies: Duncan (retired), Rae, Gyp (retired), Jody, Peg, Bette, BJ & Nell
2001 Chevy Express 2500 Cargo (rolling kennel)
2007 Nash 22M
BCSnob wrote: Another option is to keep track of the manufacturer of this rabies vaccine and insist that the next one be from a different manufacturer. Sometimes the reactions are to the formulation (the other stuff in the vaccine) not to the antigen (rabies virus).Mark
Was wondering if you were still here.
I'm just now starting to learn all about regarding the proteins found in the blood after vaccine and from 'what they grow the vacc on", pork, chicken etc. and what they add as preservatives, that's the culprit in a some of these vaccine issues.
I lost a puppy from HOD about 10 years ago and it was determined to be because of specific vaccines. Just looked it up again and they now have proof that it actually is 'not' HOD caused by the vaccine the symptoms/death are actually 'from' the vaccine and misdiagnosed as HOD. The research revolved around the proteins found in the blood of these dogs.
I'll find the link, but the pictures are graphic, it was a VERY horrible death my poor puppy succumbed to.
Mark is right about types of vaccine. In the old days, many of the viruses had to be grown on/in duck embryos and you got alot of duck protein in the vaccine. Not as big a problem now as many companies grow the virus in tissue culture. In my experience, vaccines now days are much less likely to cause reactions, but still I find higher rates in some brands. I like the PureVax line made by Merial, just my preference.
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