Rabies Vaccinations for puppies What age is best? - Page 1

We vaccinate our puppies for rabies at 6 months. At what age do you vaccinate your puppies for rabies? Can the Rabies Vaccinations be done safely at less than 6 months? Are there any types or brands of Rabies Vaccinations that are safer for younger puppies? What age do you think is best for the health of the puppy?

our vet does our pups at 3 months. every pup we have had has been done at 3 months. they all are great no problems with the shot. hope this helps.

All my pups have their vacination for rabies anytime after 16 weeks old,
 

and I've never had any bad side affects...

We too routinely give rabies at 12 and 16 weeks.  Sometimes they are a little older as we won't overload them with multiple vaccines, especially the tiny puppies.   They all seem to do fine, though I'm a bit more comfortable waiting on my own dogs until they are just a wee bit older.  But, 6 months is fine too, wouldn't wait much past that though.  We do have a considerable amount of rabies in NJ, so there is a risk.

My vet also does at 6 months. I am sure not to schedule any other vaccine within two weeks of the rabies so the immune system is not overloaded. I only vaccinate for rabies and distemper/parvo. The latter only when they are pups. No way on the Lymes. My vet also reccomends giving Benedryl one hour before a vaccine to help with any allergic reaction. I give one 25 mg tablet to my 35 pound dog and I give two tablets to my 75 pound shepherd.

I do this at six (6) months of age-no sooner. But, I understand that some might do it at twelve (12) weeks of age if rabies is prevalent in their geographic area or if certain state and/or local statues govern the issue. I am concerned about the effects of vaccinosis, i.e., too much, too soon.

In the current state of my residence I do not know if there is a required maximum/minimum age for the first rabies vaccination, but it is required annually.

Regards,

Bob-O

Stinks that it's required annually for you Bob-O, as it's all the same vaccine.  In NJ, luckily it is a 3 year vaccine and more and more clinics are going to a 3 year Distemper/Parvo.  I titer my guys annually, kind of my own little study.  I vaccinate for Lyme, again it's a location issue.  Lots of Lyme Disease in my area.  And have seen one too many dogs die from Kidney failure from Lyme Disease.  Most of the dogs that have died were not vaccinated and it is rare that we see a dog test positive that was vaccinated.  We do not see any problems with the vaccine.  I know that the "original" vaccine for dogs, there were problems.  This "newer," vaccine there are not.  It's just too much of a risk/benefit factor for me.  NJ is a Lyme hot bed, literally. 

You're right about that Bob-O,

I live in Ma. & a few years back a family had their little black lab pup playing in their backyard
and it got bit by a skunk that had rabies, so because the pup had not yet been vacinated against
rabies, he had to get put down, it was really sad, but someone offered them another pup, so it
did have a better ending.

They said that had that particular pup been vacinated, he would had only needed a booster shot after
being bitten by the skunk, but with no shot given to begin with, the booster shot would not work.

I tell people not to let their pups near any wildlife till they get that all important Rabies shot.

There was a case in Southern NJ of a 5 month old lab puppy that died from rabies.  What a mess that is!

Rezkat, I now live in Tennessee and the three-year vaccinations for Distemper/Parvovirus are available-one just has to ask. Of course they cost more per occurrence than the one-year vaccination, but I think that is a marketing/sales measure to make up for lost revenue.

I can easily be wrong as I am not a pharmaceutical biologist, but it has been my understanding for many years that the normal rabies vaccine that we have used for so long will protect a dog for three (3) years. In several states intelligence has prevailed and the three-year frequency is allowed. Why it remains to be required here as an annual vaccination is beyond me; other than perhaps the state veterinary association has a strong lobby?

But we know that many dog owners do not give their pets the suggested vaccinations, so perhaps requiring an annual vaccination for rabies works even if the owner complies but 30% of the time? Legally, it is not an issue for most dog owners unless the dog bites another animal or a person, or is bitten by an animal deemed to be infected. But, that is a "rural" idea and probably does not apply to dog owners who live in certain cities.

I agree that puppies should not be allowed to be around wild animals until they receive this important vaccination, and I am aware that an infected wild animal can invade a dog's area and expose the dog. The only wild animals that ever posed a problem for me were the squirrels that would fall into the kennel as they lept from tree to tree. My concern with the squirrels was not about rabies, but worms and other parasites they may carry.

Regards,

Bob-O