2 Cool Border Collies + 1
  • Home
  • Beckett
    • 8-12 weeks old
    • 12-16 weeks old
    • 16-20 weeks old
    • 20-24 weeks old
    • 6-9 months
    • One Year Old
    • 18 - 24 Months Old
    • 2 - 3 years
    • 3-4 years
  • Kaffee
    • Kaffee's Videos
  • Myst
    • Myst's Videos
  • Balance Disc Fun
    • Adv Disc Fun
    • Senior Dog Fitness
    • Building Strength
    • Tool Kit
    • Puppy Body Awareness
    • Advancing with Your Core Strength Work
    • Be Creative With Body Awareness Work
  • Obedience
    • How I Taught the Utility Scent Discrimination
    • Proofing Go Outs
    • Positive Heelwork - Pivoting
    • Drop on Recall Training
    • Shaping the Dumbbell Retreive
    • Utility Go Outs
    • Obedience Jump Training
    • Using Balance Discs for Teaching Obedience and Rally
    • Tips for Showing in Obedience
    • About Turn Footwork
    • Shaping
    • Finding the Joy in Heel Work
  • FANTASTIC Obedience
    • Competitive Obedience >
      • Building Focus & Attention
      • How Dogs Learn
      • Happy Obedience
    • Pressure & Games
    • Engagement & Distractions
  • Blog
  • Vestibular Syndrome
    • Vestibular Timeline
  • Trick Dogs
  • Resources
    • Senior Dogs Healthy
    • Wellness
    • Preventing Illness
    • Traveling Safely
    • Service Dogs & Autism
    • Nose Work Fun
    • Pet Ownership Resources
    • Training

BLOG

In this BLOG are writing about what I have learned in my journey with 3 very different Border Collies, KAFFEE, MYST, and BECKETT. It has been a journey of not only my experiences in dog training but also with encountered health issues that I felt were so important to share since often the information available to us is hard to find or specific to our needs. My medical background has kept me focused on research and science-based approachs.

If you have any questions I am happy to respond by emailing Cynde at 2coolbcs@gmail.com

Contact Me

Rabies Vaccine Reaction -Things You Should Know

6/26/2015

0 Comments

 
My Border Collie was due for her 3 year rabies vaccination this June. We were leaving for a dog show in California and I thought that giving the vaccine at least a week in advance would be fine. WRONG…. She developed acute pancreatitis 9 days later.

What You Should Know About the Rabies Vaccine

“The rabies vaccine is arguably the most dangerous shot our dogs get. Because it’s required by law, it’s a difficult shot to avoid. Because the vaccine is made from a “killed” virus, rather than “modified live” virus as are the other important “core” vaccines, manufacturers add dangerous “adjuvants” to boost effectiveness. These adjuvants too often cause adverse reactions, some of which occur quickly, but many of which occur days, weeks or even months after vaccination. A “killed” vaccine (rather than one from a modified live virus), the rabies vaccine contains adjuvants (chemical boosters) to enhance the immunological response. In 1999, the World Health Organization “classified veterinary vaccine adjuvants as Class III/IV carcinogens with Class IV being the highest risk.”

Taken from Dr. Jean Dodds writing, The Rabies Vaccine and  your Dog’s Side Effects
http://www.dogs4dogs.com/blog/2008/06/18/20/

______________________________________________________________________________________

I have had many dogs over the last 30 years all of which have had immunizations with no apparent reaction. Before I was educated about the danger of excessive and unnecessary vaccinations my early dogs probably were vaccinated with parvo and distemper every few years along with the required Rabies with not noticeable side effects.

It was not until I took my first Border Collie for puppy shots to my wonderful vet in Phoenix announcing that I needed an 8-way shot that my education on vaccinations began. We were preparing to do herding and many of the herding people I worked with had ranches and regularly traveled to places where perhaps there were illnesses that their dogs had to be vaccinated against. Dr. Ingraham educated me as to the danger of over vaccinating based on research coming out of Cornell and set me on a path to become more knowledgeable about the dangers of vaccination.

Over time I had a Puli with lymphoma that could not be vaccinated. A Border Collie with genetic allergies that I was trying to manage and I knew that most states including Arizona would NOT accept a titer test or a written letter from our vet saying that my dog could not or should not have any further vaccinations including a Rabies.
See Rabies Laws By States: http://www.dogs4dogs.com/rabies-laws

I also learned that no letter or titer would prevent my dogs from being taken away from me for not being immunized with their required Rabies if they bit anyone or had to go to the vet after being bit by a wild animal. The reasoning being that one does not know if the wild animal bite was from an animal with rabies. Periodically there are rabies frenzies when wild animals have been found with rabies. This seems to happen in our rural areas every 5-10 years.

It is therefore a risk to not do a Rabies shot. I have worked with an excellent vet in New York that I have written about in previous writings who has informed me of a homeopathic nosode drops called Vaccinosis that helps to prevent reactions by giving it a day before, day of, and several days after, and weekly for at least a month after the vaccination.

Fortunately by doing this with my dogs until recently, I have not noticed any reaction or immune compromise with my Border Collie who has his allergies successful managed (see my Blog writing on “How I Manage My Border Collies Genetic Allergies.”

I guess I would say it was the perfect storm for the rabies vaccine reaction to happen this time. We traveled to California for a dog show, lots of home made treats at the show, raw duck for meals and a lovely run in the warm weather after the show. Normally this would not produce a problem, but the Rabies shot and perhaps the immune system compromise was enough to trigger a mild case of pancreatitis with early morning vomiting. Interestingly enough the blood work done on the day of the Rabies shot was beautifully normal. 

I feel fortunate that we did no have severe pancreatitis with pain, inability to hold down food and the need for hospitalization. Perhaps due to the use of the Vaccinosis drops before and after the vaccine was administered.  We are now 2 weeks out from the first early morning vomiting and doing well with a strict very low fat home cooked diet.

In 2 days blood work will check on our progress. However, we are slowly and carefully returning to more normal activities.

 
Things You Should Know When Vaccinating Your Dog
  • Your vet may not recognize your dog’s symptoms as a vaccine reaction and probably won’t want to believe or admit that the shot he/she administered brought on this problem.  If you believe it’s a vaccine reaction, be strong. You know your dog better than your vet does. 

  • If your dog has developed any unexplained health or behavioral problem within 45 to 60 days of vaccination, or even longer, it may be a reaction to the shot.  If you suspect the problem may be connected to a vaccine, you’ll likely have to convince your vet. It’s common to hear “it couldn’t be the shot” or “a reaction like that isn’t possible” — even when the reaction is a common one.

  • Reactions Commonly Seen: Common rabies vaccine reactions, followed by the percentage of reactions reported to the USDA (many of which are also reactions to other vaccines): Vomiting-28.1%; facial swelling-26.3%; injection site swelling or lump-19.4%; lethargy-12%; urticaria(hives)-10.1%; circulatory shock-8.3%; injection site pain-7.4%; pruritus-7.4%; injection site alopecia or hair loss-6.9%; death-5.5%; lack of consciousness-5.5; diarrhea-4.6%; hypersensitivity (not specified)-4.6%; fever-4.1%;, anaphylaxis-2.8%; ataxia-2.8%; lameness-2.8%; general signs of pain-2.3%; hyperactivity-2.3%; injection site scab or crust-2.3%;, muscle tremor-2.3%; tachycardia-2.3%; and thrombocytopenia-2.3%.  (Oddly, they don’t list seizures which may occur after rabies vaccination. Click here for more on seizures.)
  •  Other reactions considered “possibly related to vaccination” included acute hypersensitivity (59%); local reactions (27%); systemic reactions, which refers to short-term lethargy, fever, general pain, anorexia, or behavioral changes, with or without gastrointestinal disturbances starting within 3 days after vaccination (9%); autoimmune disorders (3%); and other (2%). 

             First 2 items taken from: What To Do When Your Dog Has a Vaccine Reaction       http://www.dogs4dogs.com/blog/2010/12/02/what-to-do-when-your-dog-has-a-vaccine-reaction/

  • Vaccinate at the safest time. Vaccinate in the morning, early in the week, and don’t leave the area for at least an hour if possible. If you are showing your dog, try to schedule your vaccination at least 30 days from the time you are traveling. Dog shows can tend to produce stress and in some dogs. weaken a dogs immune system

  • Tell your vet you want a Thimerosol-free vaccine. Thimerosol (mercury) in vaccines has been linked to adverse reactions. Merial, for one, makes one- and three-year thimersol-free rabies vaccines: IMRAB® 1 TF and IMRAB® 3 TF. Make sure you see “TF” on the label. (If your vet doesn’t carry the vaccine, you may have to vet shop to find the vaccine you want.  You might also ask why the vet why he/she doesn’t carry it.)

  • Find a vet trained in homeopathy to vaccinate your dog.  Certain homeopathic remedies given before, during and after vaccinating can lessen the chance of ill effects from vaccination. Click the link to find vet referral lists.   

  • Report all vaccine reactions to your vet and make sure they’re recorded in your pet’s file. Have the vet sign relevant pages, get copies and put them in a safe place. (Vets lose records, retire and move away.) Also report the reaction to the drug’s manufacturer. (You’ll need the vaccine lot number.) Vets are notoriously bad at reporting reactions, but exemptions to rabies vaccination and drug safety require documentation.

References For Excellent Information on Vaccinations and Rabies Vaccinations

For More Information on what you should know about the Rabies Vaccine, visit this Informative Web site:
http://www.dogs4dogs.com/truth4dogs

Treating Adverse Vaccine Reactions by Jean Dodds, DVM
http://www.dogs4dogs.com/blog/2009/08/06/treating-adverse-vaccine-reactions-by-jean-dodds-dvm/

What To Do When Your Dog Has a Vaccine Reaction
http://www.dogs4dogs.com/blog/2010/12/02/what-to-do-when-your-dog-has-a-vaccine-reaction/

13 Ways to Vaccinate More Safely
http://www.dogs4dogs.com/blog/2010/09/23/rabies-vaccination-12-ways-to-vaccinate-more-safely/

NEW: Dr. Dodds Canine Vaccination Protocol 2016 http://drjeandoddspethealthresource.tumblr.com/post/147595920886/dodds-vaccination-protocol-dogs-2016#.V7j9EpMrJBw

Virus and Vaccine Related Articles by Dr. Jean Dodds
http://drjeandoddspethealthresource.tumblr.com/dodds-vaccines#.VY2T2xNVhBe

Holistic Pet Vaccinations
http://www.holvet.net/pet_vaccinations.html

0 Comments

    Author

    Cynde Leshin lives in Sedona, Arizona with her husband and 2 Border Collies: Myst and Beckett.
    Cynde has worked in the health care field for over 10 years, is an author, instructional designer and most recently as a faculty member in the College of Education at Western Governors University. She is now enjoying her free time training and showing her dogs in obedience, scent work, and herding. She also enjoys writing, creating educational programs, and hiking with the dogs.

    Archives

    February 2023
    December 2022
    March 2022
    March 2021
    January 2021
    April 2020
    January 2020
    July 2018
    May 2018
    January 2018
    August 2017
    May 2017
    November 2016
    September 2016
    May 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    October 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013

    Categories

    All
    Aging Dog Young
    Allergy Management
    Anorexia Experience
    Antibiotics & Microbiome
    Balance Discs Obedience/Rally
    Balanced Training
    Barking: Eliminating With Calm Cue
    Bladder Cancer
    Conditioning & Injury Prev
    Conditioning Part 2
    COVID-19 Dog Training
    Fear Of Failure
    Happy Working Dog Tips
    Healthy Dog
    Hiking Partner
    Honoring My Dogs
    Iliopsoas Strain Rehab
    Iliopsoas Update
    Low Fat Diet & Pancreatitis
    Obedience Heel Work
    Obedience: Retrieve Based Go Outs
    Obedience Ring Manners
    Obedience Showing Tips
    Obedience Show Ring Tips
    Obedience Utility Go Outs
    OTCH
    Pancreatitis & Low Fat Diet
    Positive Reinforcement Training
    Positive Training Tips
    Pressure In Obedience Ring
    Probiotic Health
    Puppy Reaction To Shots
    Puppy Shots Assault Immune System
    Rabies Vaccine Reaction
    Reinforcement Based Training
    Spay/Neutering Dogs
    Swimming Turns Deadly
    Tracking Mt. Lion
    Vestibular Disease
    Warm-up And Cool-down

    RSS Feed

© cynde leshin