Rabies- Too Early?

[mercedes]

Mercedes is going to the vet today and the vet said she can get her rabies shot. She is getting a lymes and last booster today, and I don't think she should get a rabies shot too. Is three months too early?

[Sharon Marples]

Please don't give her all these shots at the same time.

Give what you have to (exactly what has she had already?) and wait to give the rabies until she is 4-6 months of age, the later the better. Don't deluge her young system with all those vaccines all at once.

Sharon Marples

[mercedes]

She needs her parvo/distemper booster and I would like to get her the lymes shot. Would thoses two be ok?

[mickeymichellie]

Check into the lyme vaccine before you get it. Run a search - there have been huge threads on it lately. Rabies at 4 months, however that fits into the schedule.

[marianne]

Mercedes is too young to get the rabies shot! 4-6 months is the normal age. Your vet should know that. Don't get to many shots at one time! I'm saying this from some very bad situations I've had over the years.

[girlunderainbow]

12wks is the minimum age for getting a rabies vaccination here, I don't know if it varies from state to state. It's not uncommon for them to get it at that age either, where I am and where rabies is common. However, most pups are still getting boosters of Distemper..Parvo..Corona..etc around this time...so, it's common practice (and imho better) to wait and not get the Rabies the same time as a booster. My vet discourages it. I get the boosters done first, as those are the diseases easily transmissible that your puppy really runs a risk of actually getting. Then worry about Rabies. But, I get my puppies boosters done as soon as possible and this means they are usually done with at 4 mos. I'd wait 2 weeks after the last booster to get a rabies shot. Legally, they are supposed* (required legally) to have it done when they are 12wks+..but I've not had a vet yet try to require it be done that early IF the pup is supposed to be getting a booster at the same time. Personally, I'd flat out refuse that and if the vet was really pushy about it I'd go elsewhere.

I also second the motion to research Lymes more and decide if you really need it. If you do get it, I'd wait a 2wks after the last booster and get it by itself.

[spidey]

I agree about researching the Lyme vaccine, there can be some serious repercussions in terms of future diagnosis of infection if the dog has had the vaccine. See here. I would not give it, myself.

[rottnkidd]

I'm in agreement with those that are telling you to avoid the rabies vac at this young age. I didn't vac for the rabies until my girl was 6 mos old. If it wasn't the law I'd avoid it entirely! It's got to be the worst, right along with lyme. Do some reading about these vaccinations before you have them administered.
I'd ask your vet if he/she has the individual parvo and distemper vacs. Should you vaccinate, the parvo should be given first, and given separately from the distemper, by at least 2 wks. And ask for the Modified Live viruses.
If your pup has had the ML parvo/distemper, wait at least 10 days, then go for the titers and see if she's seroconverted (formed immunity). If so, you wouldn't have to vaccinate! She'd have formed immunity and you won't have to wonder, you'll know!
Some pups don't form an immunizing response for a number of reasons, one of them being the presence of maternal antibodies, but you can know that by having the vet run the titer. Read about it, and ask your vet all the questions or concerns you may have. The decision is yours, be informed!
Best wishes -
kathy

[Judy Chrusch]

Please, research the pros and cons for vaccinating for lyme:( . I can't tell you what to do but I can tell you Czar almost died bc he had the vaccine and it masked the symptoms for the disease. :( . They can STILL get lyme even if they're vaccinated for it . I urge you to research and know the signs of lyme. Do you even know Czar's story???

Read my thread and others on the disease and please split the shots up, the ones that are necessary. Some vets will think you're nuts and give you a hard time but it's your dog and if you do your homework you can back up why you make the decisions you do. As far as the rabies, your pup is waaaay too young. Czar had his at 6 months.

Just PLEASE research the lyme issue. It would be in your best interest. Is lyme even an issue in your area, how bad are the ticks?

Judy

[mercedes]

Ticks are very bad around here. You can walk through the front yard and by the time you get to the house you will have at least one on you. Mosqitos are very bad here also.

[Judy Chrusch]

Ticks are bad where I live too but you have to know that it's the deer ticks that carry lyme. Do you live in an area where their are deer on your property? Even so, if your dog would contact lyme it will be very difficult to diagnose bc the bloodwork won't be accurate bc of the vaccine and it will mask the symptoms so if you are still going to get the vaccine then you better know the symptoms of lyme:( bc it can be deadly, I know first hand and believe me I wouldn't want anyone to go through what I have had to go through bc he was misdiagnosed and now has permanent kidney problems and a limp that still comes and goes, all bc he had the vaccine and his symptoms were minimal till it was almost too late:( .


Judy

[mercedes]

My family used to raise toy dogs (maltees, poodles, yorkies) and we lived in the country. My poodle ended up getting lymes twice. They first time he almost died (took him almost a year to get back to normal) and the second time it wasn't as bad. It was really hard on me because at the time I was 16 and had him since I was 5. After it all he lived to be 18 years old.

We do have deer ticks on our property (found one crawling around on the floor today) I don't want to get the lymes vacc. if it won't help, but I also don't want her to get it.

[Brooke&Ryan]

Yes, please research the Lyme Vaccine more on the boards. There are MANY threads about it. Ryan & I posted on here when Julius was smaller (...much, MUCH SMALLER!! ) Our vet had reccomended getting the lyme vaccine along with the rabies vaccine. After researching on the boards, talking to the vet & our trainer we decided not to give the vaccine to Julius. Much in thanks to Judy! :) We check Julius ALL over after we get home when we take him on hikes.....

Like I said, just do a search & check out the pros & cons.

:)
Brooke