Rabies Vaccine with Cancer Diagnosis:

[Patty1231]

Perle has her follow-up appointment next Tuesday to have her stitches out. She is due for her 3-year rabies booster which they said they would give her at that time. I read in one of the websites I was referred to regarding canine cancer that vaccines should not be given to dogs with this diagnosis. Does this include the rabies vaccine? I don't want to give her anything that will harm her in any way or set back the efforts I'm taking to make her as healthy as possible. I've already decided I'm not giving any of my animals the other yearly vaccines but rather going with 3-year boosters, but I'm not sure about the rabies.

[moondog]

Luna has a medical waiver for rabies that I submitted with her yearly license renewal. I don't know about your state, but here a waiver can be given for age or illness. I wouldn't give it unless you absolutely have to and even then, I would think twice. You can do a rabies titer to check immunity to make sure she has adequate antibodies.

[frontierrots]

I don't give vaccines of any kind to dogs with terminal illness or compromised immune systems. None of my dogs have had boosters if they've been diagnosed with cancer even if it is not fatal

[BostonRott]

I would see if your locality will accept either:

a) a waiver
b) a rabies titre
c) both

If you can avoid giving it, I most certainly would.

[chivas]

You should never vaccinate a dog that has been diagnosed with CA. If your locality wont take a medicial waiver or proof of rabies titers, then I would call the head of the health dept and tell them WHY your dog cant have vaccinations. I doubt they would force you to get rabies then but if for some reason they do, contact PETA (even though I dont agree with alot of stuff they do), they DID get a friend of mine help with the same situation you are in, she was in SC.
Kim

[Patty1231]

Thank you all for the input. I tried to call our local dog law office and was told the people I needed to speak with weren't in today so I'll try again tomorrow. I'm not expecting a problem but wanted to cover my bases and do things in the proper fashion if needed. Push comes to shove, I simply won't get the vaccine and I'll keep all the diagnosis info for if and when I am ever asked for a certificate. In the 25 years I've owned pets as an adult I've never once been asked to show proof of vaccination. I WILL NOT knowingly do anything to jeopardize the health of my pets.

[rotnhouse]

Most rabies vaccines these days are designed to be effective for 3 years, so an annual vaccination is not medically necessary. Many states have changed their laws to reflect this. You might want to review the laws in your state, since vets are usually not going to tell you NOT to get the annual shot.

[Patty1231]

This is her 3-year booster. She received her vaccine at the Humane Society last November when she was abandoned there. Since they have no history, she is required to have the booster after one year that will be good for another 3 years.

[moondog]

Originally Posted by rotnhouse

You might want to review the laws in your state, since vets are usually not going to tell you NOT to get the annual shot.

The waiver my dog got was not requested by me, but offered by the vet and he's pretty traditional in the vaccination department. With a sick dog, if a waiver isn't offered, owners should request one.

Patty, I'd ask the vet for a written waiver for your own files even if you are never asked for vaccination records. PA doesn't require a rabies certificate to renew licenses?

[Patty1231]

Originally Posted by moondog

Patty, I'd ask the vet for a written waiver for your own files even if you are never asked for vaccination records. PA doesn't require a rabies certificate to renew licenses?

I've never had to provide anything in the past. I just fill out the paperwork at the hardware store where they do dog licenses in my town and pay the $6. Last year, I did one online and same thing - no proof of vaccine requested.