I adopted Otto on June 16, 2008. He was brought into the shelter as a stray dog on May 7, 2008. He was estimated to be about six months old, and was vaccinated that day with a five-way vaccination (distemper, adenovirus-type 2, coronavirus, parainfluenza, and parvovirus) and a separate three-way vaccination (adenovirus-type 2, parainfluenza, and bordetella) made by a different company.
On May 14, 2008, he was given a rabies vaccine.
Otto was vaccinated several more times with the five-way vaccines before I adopted him, but I’m not going to talk about those vaccines right now; I want to focus on the rabies vaccine – the only vaccine that dog owners are legally required to give their dogs in most states. Rabies vaccination earned this “special” legal status due to the historical threat that rabies poses to humans; as recently as my childhood in the 1960s, domestic dogs and cats were still common vectors for spreading this deadly disease to humans. Thanks to vaccination laws, this is no longer the case. Today, the most common vectors for rabies are bats, raccoons, and skunks.
Nevertheless, there are laws that require dogs to be vaccinated against rabies in all of the United States. All of the states save three (Kansas, Minnesota, and Ohio) require dogs to be vaccinated against rabies at least every three years; in those three states that lack state laws that require rabies vaccination for dogs, there are city and county laws that require it. (Curious about your state? All of the states’ statutes regarding rabies vaccinations are collected in this terrific website.)
In California, where I live, dogs are required to have their first rabies vaccination at the age of four months, their second no more than a year later, and additional rabies vaccinations every three years after that.
So far, I have complied with my state laws regarding rabies vaccination. Otto was vaccinated for rabies again on April 2, 2009, and again on March 20, 2012.
His most recent rabies vaccination was on October 28, 2015. (Note that we were out of compliance with state law from March 21, 2015 through October 28, 2015.) So he is “due” for a rabies vaccination by October 28 of this year.
Why Should I Dread Another Rabies Vaccine for My Dog?
All vaccinations pose some risk, which must be weighed against their benefit. Since rabies is a fatal disease, is present in the United States, and carried by wild animals (bats, raccoons, and skunks are the most common vectors), and since we live in an area where all three of those vectors are present, I believe that immunization against rabies is a terrific idea. That said, it’s been demonstrated that dogs can be safely immunized against the disease with fewer vaccinations – and that the rabies vaccine can present serious adverse side effects in dogs.
It’s anecdotal, but in my own experience, senior dogs are more likely to suffer adverse effects from rabies vaccinations. My last senior dog, Rupert, had suffered from environmental and dietary allergies his whole life. In his later years, these were fairly well under control, with assiduous management of his diet. But he did have a massive allergy flare-up within a month of his last rabies shot, and getting the allergies under control again took a while. And I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard friends and acquaintances say, “My senior dog was perfectly healthy until not long after his last rabies shot; he just sort of fell apart after that!” Maybe these were all coincidental; after all, statistically, senior dogs are at higher risk of all health problems. But the risk of these adverse effects is unwarranted in dogs who have already been immunized against the disease!
The Rabies Challenge Fund has been working for a decade to extend the legally required interval for rabies vaccinations to five and then seven years, in an effort to reduce the number of unnecessary vaccinations our dogs would be required to have over their lifetimes. (Note: If you are looking for a great charity to support, consider a donation to this non-profit; their work, which has been funded to date largely by breed clubs and individual dog owners, will benefit countless millions of dogs.)
On January 25, 2018, the Rabies Challenge Fund announced, “Results to date of the Rabies Challenge Fund research study showed protection from live rabies virus challenge five years after the dogs received two doses of rabies virus vaccine. Other data are still being collected and analyzed for the 6.5 and 7-year post-vaccination periods.” In other words, the Fund’s studies are proving what had been hypothesized: the rabies vaccines work for longer than their makers were willing to prove they work, so dogs don’t need to be given as many vaccines over their lifetimes in order to be protected against contracting the disease and/or infecting others.
It will take some time, however, for these promising results to be used to change state laws, to extend those vaccination requirements.
Avoiding Rabies Vaccine Legal Requirements
Currently, there is only one way to get a legal exemption from vaccinating your dog: to have a veterinarian help you apply for an exemption from your state or local animal control authorities. Each state has a different process (again, see the terrific resource, RabiesAware.org); in California, a veterinarian must submit an annual request for an exemption, and be able to verify and document that a rabies vaccination would endanger your dog’s life.
I know people who, unable to convince a veterinarian of the potential risk of a fifth, sixth, or even seventh rabies vaccination to their senior dogs have, instead, reported their dogs to their local animal control agencies as “deceased.”
Given Otto’s high-visibility job (modeling for both WDJ and its Instagram page), I’m not sure I could pull that one off. But I have until October 28 to figure out an alternative. (Although, because my city’s animal control department won’t issue Otto another license until his legal rabies vaccine period is longer than the licensing period, he is currently unlicensed. If he gets picked up as a stray or bites someone before all this is resolved, the fines will be much higher than they would be if he were currently licensed. Not that either of those things are going to happen, but still…)
I don’t want to sound like I’m being frivolous about a disease that can kill people. But again, the possibility that my four-times vaccinated dog could possibly get or transmit the virus is virtually zero – and the possibility that the vaccine could adversely affect him is far higher. I think four vaccines is sufficient, and I’m looking for a way to stay within the bounds of the law while avoiding any more vaccines.
Are you concerned about administering the rabies vaccine to your senior dog? Have you pursued a way to avoid this? Spill it in the comments, below!
I have a 16 year old female rat terrier and she was fine until the vet insisted i update her rabies vaccine. Now, two months later with all of her lymph nodes swollen and two of them burst with puss, she is going to die soon – all because I didn’t pick up my dog and walk out of that evil place and allowed them to push their corporate agenda.
I got the letter stating I need to renew dog license and rabies vaccine for Molly, my 8yo German Shepherd who has had two rabies shots…she recently had a bout of renal failure, but is fine right now, but a dog breeder said she is FINE and does not NEED another rabies shot–I worry about an adverse effect, she’s a retired police dog, she had all her shots and I don’t want to risk it…I paid up my fees but they still require another rabies shot–WHY? WE don’t keep getting vaccines, we don’t get measles and polio shots after we had them, why does my dog HAVE TO?
They can give a dog a titre test that tells them if the dog has any antibodies against rabies from his last shot. From this thread it seems like the vaccine can last for up to 10 years. I have to take my daschund in with something that’s not serious and his last vaccine against rabies was 3 years ago. Sure enough hey want me to get one. After reading this thread and my sister who said her little yorkie dog was never the same after his last rabies vaccine I ain’t signing up for that one anytime soon. I will insist on the test or just walk out. The last vet told me when I question her about the rabies vaccine that she gives her horses that titre test before giving them the rabies vaccine. Imagine that so they know those tests are not all that safe. Yet they push it. They feel the good outways the bad. IF IT HAPPENS. And how good is that when you lose your dog to a stupid vaccine they insist on giving knowing full well the side effects and consequences it can have. But would be very hard to prove no doubt. So they are not all that worried either way. More money if the dog does get sick.
Yes it is. My beloved dog (Almost 12 years old) received all of his shots over a year ago. He died of autoimmune disease shortly thereafter. Now I have a soon to be 10 year old dog and I hope she doesn’t suffer the same fate. I’ve been agonizing over what to do. I have grieved so much over the loss of my dog who died in Jan. 2019. I wish the vets would try to help us.
Oh Dee So sorry for your loss, as well as everyone else here who has lost a dog to this vaccine. I have a 10 year old dog also and have not vaccinated her for anything since her last boosters at 4-1/2 years old, nor will I ever again. My two younger dogs got puppy shots and a rabies shot and nothing since. My Three girl’s are vibrant and healthy and I intend to keep it that way!
My 5 year old dog received his first 3- yr rabies vaccine and had his first seizure later that day. Every day after that he had 1-2 seizures. My daughter had read that the dog would need to go to the emergency vet if it has 3 seizures in one day. That day came when he had 3 seizures in about an hour so she took him to the vet at 3am. They prescribed phenobarbital, a drug that can harm his liver. Looking for an alternative, I found a holistic vet center that will slowly wean him off phenobarbital and onto Chinese herbs. ALSO, they give a mercury- free rabies vaccine! I wish I had known about its existence sooner. My dogs will only get this from now on. Why would they add mercury to a dog vaccine? It seems that it’s a preservative that’s added to vaccines. I don’t get vaccinations for myself, my kids or my dogs unless they are required.
I took my 16 year old Pomeranian to the vet on 1/15/20 for a checkup on his allergies. He was a healthy dog at that time, eating fine, walking and enjoying his life. The vet said he needed a rabies shot and gave it to him. The next day my dog stopped eating, slept all the time and just drank water. A couple of days later he had trouble walking. Took him back to the vet who said he had pneumonia and heart disease. He did not have any of these symptoms 2 months earlier at his physical. My dog died 2 weeks later after getting his rabies shot. My strong recommendation is to avoid getting a rabies shot to any senior dog if you want he/she to stay healthy and live a long life.
I just left the veterinarian from putting my 12 year old healthy dog down one week after rabies shot. It made something happened to him, almost like it neurologically damaged him. He had seizure and just was lost around the house, got stuck in corners. I will never get my dog vaccinated unless it is outside and could be exposed to rabid animals
I decided to not vaccinate my senior yorkie after age 11. He is 15 going on 16 and aside from arthritis and what once was a heart murmur, he is doing so well. Starting to lose his vision a bit. I may have to take him out of the country for a job and am terrified at having to give him the rabies vaccine. He is a strong boy but he is strictly holistic and I’m afraid the rabies vac will create havoc in his little body. Anyone have any success stories?
Hi Janice – I recently had to allow my 14-year old to have a rabies vaccine in order to get her teeth cleaned and have a couple of extractions. She tolerated it well but I used an immunomodulator (delimune.com) along with homeopathic thuja (specific to vaccine reactions) prior and after. It’s now been a month since the vax and she’s doing great.
I moved to Costa Rica two months ago with my 14 year old yorkie poos who were not due for a rabies vac yet for another year, but because the last one was not signed properly the vet insisted on revaccinating them for EVERTHING according the international health certificate mandates as well as treating them for both internal and external parasites per Costa Rica laws. They did not have a reaction although all done in one day. Both have joint issues, 3 CCL surgeries, decreased vision (cataracts) and are slow moving so I held my breath and gave them the works all in one day including the rabies. I had No choice if I was going to bring them to Costa Rica with me and really had no real choice to stay in the USA either. No reactions and Whew they are my life and I may have just not survived killing them off with shots I did not think they really needed! Now I am considering Heart gaurd because tick born illnesses and heartworm are prevalent on the coast of Costa Rica. They rarely go outdoors other than to pee or poop but mosquitos do come inside. ??? We lived at 6000 feet elevation for several years before this so heartworm, ticks and fleas were not an issue. I have them on seresto collars now for two weeks and no reactions to that so far either. What to do???
Hi I took my healthy senior Pug 12 years old on Dec.15,2019 for well check and to get his 3 year booster rabies shot. After that my dog literally got so sick that, we had to put him down 2 1/2 weeks after that vet visit. Before that my dog was happy, eating, walking, playing had energy and then just fell apart after the vet visit. I’m so sad because if I didn’t take him, I’m pretty sure my dog will still be alive and well. I regret taking him to the vet and getting that rabies shot. On top of that the vet didn’t do anything for my dog, nothing but a price tag for their service.
You have to protect you friend. If she is sleeping a lot she may be graced with peacefully leaving this earth in comfort and at home. I agree with you. Our friend should not be forced to take meds that can harm them. She is 17 God bless her and you
I think you all have just answered my question -I have an almost 17 year old Havanese( she will be 17 January 3rd) And I got a notice saying she’s do for her rabies shot. I live in Massachusetts and your dog must have rabies to be registered- I refuse to give her the rabies shot. She is at the point where her hearing is very poor and vision is very poor, but she’s eating and drinking and doing a lot of sleeping- and she’s not in pain. I need to send back the registration form and I will have to put deceased on it because I don’t want to go through any problems with the state as far as rabies vaccine-is that wrong?
Your baby’s health comes first and I believe your instinct is right.
My States Animal Control does not require a rabies vaccination be given if the dog is sick or PG.
Also never give any other vaccine at the same time you give the rabies. Always wait at least 4 weeks before the next vaccination is given.
There is so much information available on over-vaccinating and spay & neutering to early use google and do the research.
I took my 12.5 year old yellow lab to the vet this past Thursday and she got her annual vaccines + rabies. She was fine going in. She also has arthritis and had a steroid shot and pain shot. Today is Saturday and she is unable to walk. I watched her go downhill all day yesterday. She could stand on all fours last night and stagger a few steps. I slept w her last night, praying for recovery this morning. She was worse. She is worse. She cannot walk. Took her to the vet again and he gave her some antibiotics and said her vitals seem good and she’s not paralyzed but she has zero strength. He also prescribed Tramadol. I’ve never seen her like this ever. She wags her tail and she eats but she is unable to move more than her head and tail. I’m heartsick after reading all these posts. She was NOT ready to die. I’ve taken the best care of her. I don’t know what to do.
Let her be. We pray she will have a good day and fall asleep peacefully at home with her family. Or maybe without meds she will be better.