Rabies Vaccinations for puppies What age is best? - Page 5

Gsdlova, that sounds reasonable compared to many of the state laws. I believe that almost conforms to Dodd's protocol.  Here in PA the first rabies is to be given at 3 months, IMO way too young. Puppies that age have already been challenged at least two times with the distemper/parvo combo depending on the vet and the thinking of the owner and will need the last of those vacs at 16 weeks. Why add another vac into the mix so soon?

Blitzen, do you think that your first dog possibly had allergies and autoimmune problems from the shots? I have a friend whose dog kept itching herself every spring. I think she would chew her leg. Doris finally put it together with starting shortly after her yearly vaccine at the vets. She quit giving her shots and the problem went away. The dog ended up with lymphosarcoma  at a relatively young age and had to be put to sleep though.  I am glad at least Blitz is healthy for you. The way this world has become maybe he is on to something not liking strangers 

I think it's possible, Trailrider, although I have no proof of that. The allergist and the soft tissue surgeon both felt there could have been a connection. We had to have Dylan's sinuses operated on 2 times after he developed a chronic bacterial sinus infection that was resistant to all antibiotics. The surgeon biopsied him and did a lot of cultures and sensitivities, but never did make a definitive diagnosis. About a  year after his last surgery, he came down with the leukemia. We had him treated, but his remission only held 6 short weeks, so we opted to put him down after he got too weak to enjoy life anymore. It still makes me sick to think about it. My friend's sheltie was treated by the same oncologist and he didn't make it as long as Dylan did although they had him treated with two rounds of chemo. Both of his remissions only held a week or less. It was really sad, my friend was a basket case. The sheltie also had inhalation allergies and a ton of vaccinations. My daughter couldn't afford the chemo with cancer drugs, it's very, very expensive, so she opted to give her dog prednisone and she lived 6 months longer than either of the dogs that had the full treatments. She was also prone to allergies and was over vaccinated.

I do think that dogs with allergies seem to develope cancers and other autoimmune diseases more frequently than dogs that do not have allergy problems. I'm sure that there are/were GSD's  with lymphosarcoma that did not have allergies or other autoimmune issuses, but enough have had both to make me wonder if there isn't a connection. Factor in too many vacs and you are likely to end up with a dog that will not live a full healthy life. I really wish dog breeders would not breed from allergic dogs, the problem is not just an itchy dog, that is only the tip of the iceberg.

Regarding rabies vaccines and other vaccines in general, take a look at these links:

http://www.rabieschallengefund.org/about%20the%20RCF.html

http://www.vetmed.wisc.edu/people/ronald%20d%20schultz

http://designerbostons.homestead.com/misc.html#anchor_13040

Yes, folks, this is "real science".

Blitzen poor Dylan had it rough and so did you. I am surprise you stuck with the breed after having what sound like much better luck with your Mals.

Thanks Louise, I haven't read all of it, especially the third link. Lots of info there to absorb.

I do mine no younger than 6 months also.

I'm a brute for punishment, Trailrider . There's just something about this breed that gets under one's skin........

LOL! Thats for sure Blitzen, like potatoe chips!

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