WHAT TO DO ABOUT RABIES VACCINATION SIDE EFFECTS

ADVICE FOR VACCINATION SIDE EFFECTS

The above information is offered for education purposes only and a vet should be consulted when a course of action is desired."

THE RABIES CHALLENGE FUND

VACCINATION READER FEEDBACK

10/07/2008: Jean (sinclaircats /@/ aol.com) from Newark, Nottionghamshire ENGLAND writes: "Thanks to your wonderful web site I have now decided to not give my ten year dog any rabies shots . We will have to wait for a trip abroad because we won't go away without him but I at least know the risks to him THANKS TO YOUR WEB SITE."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  10/07/2008: Leigh Irvin from Farmington, NM writes: "We had our two cats and dog vaccinated at a rabies clinic three days ago. All animals had the 3-year rabies vaccines (which I didn't previously know existed), and the cats had feline leukemia, panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, and calicivirus vaccines. The dog also had distemper, parainfluenza, adenovirus 2, parovirus, and bordetella. That evening, all animals seemed rather weak - our dog threw up in the evening. The next day, the older cat (a calico long-haired 10 year old) was limping and acting sick - we figured the vet had hit a nerve when vaccinating her. But she's still acting weak and sick today - no vomiting, but weak and just seems not herself. The other two animals seem to have recovered, but I don't think I'll go for the 3-year vaccine again...I just think it was all too much at one time. "

[SIDE EFFECTS]  10/06/2008: Sherri from DFW, Texas writes: "2.5 yr. old Miniature Schnauzer rec'd annual shots for the first time since puppy shots as I know they are bad for them from being told that by several country veternarians. Within 1 week, he was lethargic, vomiting yellow foam uncontrollably, continuous panting, brick hard abdomen, low grade fever, bloody diarhea, his whole body seemed sore to the touch as he acted like an abused dog would when you would reach for him. He had pus pimples all over his neck and back that would pop easily and smell horrible with clear green liquid. I took him to emergency clinic and they left him on IV overnight. His blood counts told them nothing was wrong. Xrays showed only slightly inflammed intestines. They gave bland diet, antibiotics, steroids and panalog ointment for skin. He did require 2 rounds of antibiotics to completely cure the skin bumps. His skin color went from pink to almost black on his back. Doctors would not admit it was from shots. I talked to a holistic vet that sold me colostrum capsules and told me to also get probotics. My dog is now 5 yrs. old. He had to have shots again recently to get neutered and he has had no reactions. My dog since recovery has been functioning at 80-90% of his pre vaccine activity level and ability."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  10/05/2008: Barbara from Lighthouse Point, FL USA writes: "My beagle puppy had reactions to every vaccine that was given. It started with a rash, then hair loss and finally seizures after the rabies booster. He has them about once a month. I am working with a holistic vet to try and get them under control. I have put him on a raw diet and supplement his food with Taurine 1000mg 2x a day and 250mg 2x a day of Carnosine, plus herbal drops that the doctor put together. We also use supplements of minerals, probotics and flora enzymes. His seizures are not as violent and seem to be happening less often. It has only been 2 months but I will continue with this protocol and hope to see continued improvement. I will no longer vaccinate him and don't even use a heartworm medication. I am making my own spray for mosquitoes with essential oils."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  10/05/2008: Jacqueline from Oxon Hill, VA writes: "Trembling, Lethargic dog: Last week I took my 10 year Pom in for shots before we left the vets he fell down and had rapid heart beat. The vet immediately gave him a shot of benadryl, which seemed to help. However, he has been laying around, not eating, shivering. We have taken him back to the vet, who says he can't find anything. Does anyone have any advice??"

[SIDE EFFECTS]  10/04/2008: Lori Wallender from Minocqua, Wisconsin writes: "My dog Bruiser is a pit bull Terrier mix (chow chow) He is the most gentle dog I had ever come in contact with. Bruiser had his three year vaccinations on September 18th. VX-Canine DP 3 year, Leptospirosis, and Lyme vaccaine. Two weeks later he is lethargic, very depressed, mopes around, is drooling from the right side of his mouth, seems spooked, yelps for reason unknown and when I push on parts of his back, his muscles begin to tremble. I don't want to take him back to the vet because they lied to me about Lyme's he supposedly had and said that the tests they charged me for showed he is negative. They charged me over $200 that day when they quoted me much much less. Has anyone else gone through similar symptoms with their dog after annual shots? Thanks, Lori"

[SIDE EFFECTS]  10/03/2008: Lynn Frye from Carthage, North Carolina writes: "My Schnoodle received his booster rabies vaccine 2 days ago. Several hours after receiving the vaccine I noted he was very lethargic but arousable. He started panting and drooling late in the night and when I tried to pick him up he yelped. He refused to walk or lift his leg.

I took him back to the vet the next morning. She gave him a muscle relaxer that seemed to work some as he was now lifting his leg up to go to the bathroom and would allow me to hold him.

The following morning he is exhibiting the same effects as of the past night. He is not the spunky run around dog and he cries when I try to lift him up. I am on my way back to the vet as she (who is a Banfield Vet) in Petsmart states she will give Austin medications to reduce the inflammation."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  10/02/2008: Julie from Nanaimo, British Columbia writes: "My 1 1/2 year old Shiba inu, Tierce, got his 3 yr rabies shot on July 7th, 2008. It was given under the skin between the shoulder blades instead of in the muscle. Within 3-4 days, I was noticing hair missing around his eyes. He scratched them raw. Then it was his chest that he scratched bloody. Then it was his forelegs he chewed hairless. We tried putting him on a raw diet with fatty acid supplements and immune boosters. It didn't make a difference. He is now on a fatty acid pill supplement, antihistamine pills and Cyclosporine, an immunodepressant, which seems to be suppressing his immune response. He hasn't scratched in the last few days and we are hoping that it does the trick.

He is also on Purina Hypoallergenic food - hideous stuff; the first ingredient is starch. STARCH! But the damn dog LOVES it. Not that I blame him - Corn Pops are a nutritionists nightmare, but I'd be happy to eat them every day. However that Purina food makes me gag everytime I feed him.

I just wish there was something else that could help him. I've been looking at thuja, but I am not planning on mixing medications - any natural cures I give him could possibly react with the medication he is on and there isn't enough research done for me to know if its reasonably safe to combine."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  09/30/2008: Alina from Monroe , NC writes: "i got my pom. pup when he was 2month , my neighbor told me i have to get him vac. so i did. he got his shot we he was about 4month old got his rabies shot. after i notice a little bump so i thought its ok thats probbly where he got it at now he is 6 month and theres a patch or fur missing on that spot and a bump grew . so i dont know whats wrong with him but i was allways againts shots and still is only did it cuz she state req. it DONT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE"

[SIDE EFFECTS]  09/29/2008: Gloria from Chula Vista Ca., CA writes: "My dog had the DA2LP/ Parvo /Corona/ Bordetella shots yesterday and he seemed more like he wanted to be alone yesterday and after 24 hours his right eye is closing and is red and he can't hardly open the eye. We rub it and it won't help at all."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  09/28/2008: Sherrie Atkinson from Barberton, Ohio writes: "My 4 year old cocker spaniel, went in for his vaccinations..in 2005. He got the new 4 year booster shot. in less than 24 hours he began vomitting...then bloody diahrea, followed in days by severe tremors, fever, his eyes glazed over in a blue haze, and a few days after his mucus mebranes in his nose began to bleed. and he became lethargic. During these events we rushed him to the vet and animal hopsital. where they claim it all just coincidental, and that he had an auto immune problem...and would send him home, with pain meds and diahrea meds. We went back several times, ended up with a huge vet bill and a dead dog! if you ask me the new extra strong booster may be what triggered it and the symptoms appeared to be hepititis and he died of a stroke. They still denied the connection. what a horrible way for a dog to suffer."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  09/27/2008: Melissa from Scottsale, AZ writes: "My cat developed cancer after his annual (not rabies) vaccines! He was diagnosed with Vaccine-associated Sarcoma (VAS), which is likely a byproduct of the suspension that is used to deliver the vaccine. Luckily, we noticed the lump on his haunch where he was vaccinnated within 2 months. We are very fortunate that we had the financial means and access to a pet cancer center for his care: $10,000 over 4 months. Our oncologist is still amazed at how well he's doing -- it's been almost 2 years now, and no reoccurance. Surviving VAS is very rare; it's very, very aggressive and most cats only live 1-2 years even with treatment. Needless to say, none of our 5 older, indoor-only kitties will be vaccinated ever again!! Yahoo has a great feline VAS support group forum for information and interaction with other affected families."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  09/27/2008: Rose from Nashville, TN writes: "At the age of 2 my little 6 pound pure breed white poodle had his first seizure. Then approx every 6m-1yr there fter he would have another. I refused allopathic medications bc I knew in my heart they would only cause more problems. I was reading an article about swelling of the brain in dogs and increased intracranial pressure after receiving rabies vaccine. It appears to only occur in some breeds. I am a primary care provider. I have gotten into huge arguments with vets who insist on giving my little dog a rabies vaccine. I stopped his vaccines in 2004. The seizures stopped completely and he hasn't had another one. His last seizure was about 1 week after his last rabies vaccine. In humans we do not vaccinate every single year. We draw blood to look for antibiodies to insure we are protected. This can be done for our pets too. Please note: most counties will not accept the lab result. I suggest teaming up with a naturalpathic vet who are less likely to pressure you on this subject. "

[SIDE EFFECTS]  09/27/2008: Paul (fvgreywolf@hotmail.com) from Spring Hill, FL. writes: "Adverse reactions to rabies vac: My doc talked me into a 3yr vac for a 15yr. dog. Stupid me. But he did it and 10 hours later my dog lost all control of bowels and was paralized at the hips. Mind you his hip aren't good, but he can't walk now. Have talked to vet. and they say oh nothing wrong, nothing wrong my butt. One day my old man could walk 10 hrs. later after the vac. he could not."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  09/27/2008: Linda from Waynesburg, PA writes: "DHLPPC Annual: My 2 year old Westie had one bout of severe diarrhea an severe shaking. Vet gave him 25mg Benadryl. He's fine now. He has never had a reaction to anything before, has never been sick."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  09/26/2008: Sharon Vallier from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma writes: "I took my healthy cat of 10 years to the vet today. After receiving the rabies and distemper vaccines--approximately 5 minutes after the shots. She growled 2 times and went limp. They took her back and intubated her and gave oxygen, gave her benadryl and epinephrine but she died anyway. Does this seem right to anyone?"

[SIDE EFFECTS]  09/26/2008: Carol from Oakdale, Pa writes: "I have 2 Old English Sheepdogs. They are 8 &9 years old and are not vaccinated since puppy shots. My 9 year old had 1 rabies vac. at 3. I took him to a vet for a moaning problem which ended up to be a hernia. Without consulting me, they gave a rabies shot which is the second in his lifetime, however, I was told that he couldn't get surgery without the vaccination. I was appalled. My dogs are raw fed, no heartworm or flea meds., and no vaccinations so he was healthy. Within 3 months, he developed sebaceous cysts all over his body and always wants to sleep. Before the shot he was so active. I got rid of the cysts with Colloidal Silver but because of that shot he is not the same. My other sheepdog has had no shots since puppy and will not get any. I hope this forum is seen by everyone."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  09/23/2008: Danielle from Vandergrift , PA writes: "I just had a kitten to the vet today. I have only had her since Thursday, She had fleas so I had them treated, and to the vet today, she received her shots both felovax IV and calicivax and rabies vaccine. She seemed fine when I got her home, then I had to work. Well I got home a little while ago went to pick her up and she was making horrible noises at me and just seemed like she was in a lot of pain. She wasn't walking correctly, and she just wanted to lay there. I am so very upset. My brother tragically passed away on the 13th, and this was his cat, I would really hate to loose her, i would be devastated. I have 3 dogs and never experienced this until now."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  09/23/2008: Beverly from Henderson, KY writes: "i took my 5 year old yorkie-poo who only weighs about 6lbs. he was given a rabies shot and parvovirus shot and a heart worm pill. he was fine that day but, the following day he could hardly raise his head, he would not eat or drink and was running a fever. a week later he lost the use of his back legs and just layed for one night. the next morning he was able to use his back legs and was jumping and playing like his old self. he still has blood in his stool and seems aloof. this is not like him at all."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  09/22/2008: Dianne from Windsor, On Canada writes: "I am writing concerning the rabies vaccine. It has been only a few hours and my 5lb toy poodle was lethargic to the point that I thought he might die, he was cool to touch and cried when I touched him. I will be very reluctant to bring him again for this vaccine. I did call my vet and he was good enough to meet me at the clinic to give him a cortozone shot and a shot of benedryl."