3 Year Rabies Vaccine - Page 1

Does anyone else's vet try vaccinating your dog after 2 years on a 3 year vaccination?  Does anyone know why as when I ask, they tell me they like to give it again after 2 years to insure protection.

Is there a risk that the 3 year vaccination does not cover for 3 years?

Cheryl

As far as I know there are not different vaccines depending on the time frame, only different protocols on how often to give them.  So, the vaccine itself is the same regardless of whether it is given 1, 2, or 3 years apart.  I do first rabies around 6 months, then again one year later (~16 months), and then every 3 years after that.  In my county this meets the legal requirements.

I call shenanigans!

VKGSDs is right. The vaccines are the same.  For proper immunity, you do have to have a second vaccine within a year of the very first rabies vaccine, but after that they're fine with every 3 years (probably really longer if you check the titer).

Exceptions are: exposure or possible exposure (bite or scratch from a wild animal or an unvaccinated domestic animal) and your local law. If your state says they have to be vaccinated every single year, then that's what you have to do.

Most vets in the U.S. give a Rabies Shot...and this is for 1 year...and then after that they give THE SAME RABIES VACCINE but it's good for a period of 3 years...
For years vet's have given shot after shot...both Annual Shots and Rabies Shot...this has been a staple of the vet's...but in reality this many shots were never needed...so they're finally coming to grips with the fact that it's not needed...I only give the 3 year Rabies Shot and don't give the other shots all the time...Only when needed...
Different countries have different rules about how often and how many shots are neccessiary...In the U.S. basically a Rabies shot is needed after a pup is 4 months old...In the UK it's not needed 'til 1 year old...

I am in the states as well and I confirmed with the vet that legally, I need to insure they are vaccinated now every 3 years.  I do have a one year old pup that is due this month for her second vaccine, so I will make sure I schedule that asap.

It gets confusing because the certificate says they are all due in 2012 but I keep getting this urgent reminders that they are past due.  I panic everytime thinking that I forgot and they are not current.

My dogs are never unattended when outside so they have never been in contact with other animals, etc other than dogs that I am familar with and are vaccinated. 

Thank you for the feedback.  I just want to understand and make sure I am making the best decisions for my dogs.

Cheryl

Oh, in that case that's probably just the vet techs or office manager sending out routine notices without being careful about the dates. Your vet probably doesn't even know you got the notice too early.

Some vets won't even offer the 3-year because then people don't come in for their yearly exams.  The 3-year vaccine is exact same, just licensed differently.

Some studies show immunity can last 8 years, if not longer, people are trying to change the requirements (so we are not over-vaccinating our dogs) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, visit www.rabieschallengefund.org

Cheryl, I get the same thing.  In the "system" my dogs' due dates are three years out, but every year I get the postcard from the vet about needing a vaccination.  I just ignore that and go based on my certificate, which I have them issue for a three year period.

Dobberdoodle, with a young, healthy dog I don't really do routine vet exams.  I do necessary vaccines, heartworm checks, fecals as needed, hip and elbow prelims and OFA, and will be doing a thyroid panel for one of my dogs soon but don't always take in every dog once a year on a schedule unless they have a condition that needs to be monitored or are older.

Thanks everyone.  I feel better now.

Since I have 4 dogs, it just seems like I am always getting those reminders saying the are past due, lol. 

Cheryl

Look here

And here

Your dog does not lose immunity. Once it is there, it is there.
When was the last time your doctor gave you a shot for measles, mumps, polio, rubella, etc.???
In the second web site you will read that it is something like a 6 million to one chance that your dog, when vaccinated for rabies one time after one year of age, will contract rabies from being bit by a rabid animal.