I made a TERRIBLE MISTAKE
So I called the Vet and they said yup, he's over due. BUT i can't take him in til next week. If you are watching the news you know that my 3 county area is in a State of Emergency d/t flooding. I couldn't get to the Vet if I tried becasue of flooded roads and bridges being out (in addition to the fact that they are giving tickets for driving). The ban on travel isn't expected to be lifted til the weekend. I asked the Vet tech what this means for his rabies immunization, specifically what would happen if he were to be bitten by an animal. I am not concerned about him biting anyone but I do live in the country where other critters abound. She was very vague in her answer. It's a pretty long shot that he could come in contact with a rabid animal but I had to have a cat put down once because she came in contact with a rabid racoon (and get rabies shots myself) when her rabies was expired. I can't believe that I let this happen, I also can't believe I didn't get the usual "post card" from the VET telling me there were shots due. Does anyone know if the rabies immunization is still good with the shot a month over due? Should I try to find an unknown Vet who would give him a shot before next week? We have an appointment on Monday night. |
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| Ginny,
Just to be safe, try finding a neighborhood vet to give Ty the shot... its not very expensive, any vet'll do, and you can stop worrying about it then. Just remember to bring his rabies tag with you the next time you go to your regular vet, so they can update the records. I imagine the immunity is like any other- if the booster is overdue, he probably has some immunity left, but it isn't at full strength. Be safe out there... hope the flooding recedes SOON! |
| Both my vet and my brother who is a vet say vaccinations last longer than the required yearly boosters. My vet said that some states require rabies shots yearly, some every two years. I would think you are ok if it is just a month overdue. |
| You should be fine....a month is not long. |
| I think you'll miss out on ability to switch to 3 year vaccination though.
If I recall, and I'm a little foggy on this, you need to have a 1 year shot, and then get the three year shot within 12 months. I think. Otherwise, you have to get the one year shot again. But I could be very confused. |
| hmm, I'm only 1 month over do I have to start over??? |
Well, I'm not a medical professional, but I think that the definition of "within" is pretty clear. 
Just to make you a little angrier at yourself, I seem to remember that there's actually no difference in the shot, either! It's just the rules. Again, I could be wrong. |
| sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh |
| Hi Ginny,
Although the chances are very small or rare that Ty comes into contact with a rabid animal I would find a local vet and do it asap. Not because I would think that Ty would come into contact with another animal but if there was a remote chance of an outbreak occuring in your area - the health authorities may look for animals that do not have full immunizations. With all the controversy regarding immunizations and how long they are effective for (lots of opinions on various post here) , my personal opinion is that the pups need to have the first year and then three year. Lapses by a short period after the 3 year (according to my vet and other health experts are okay) but not for the first year one. With four kitties and 3 dogs immunized at different times my vet made it easier for me over a period of time. The kitties acquired at different times and ages all had their immunizations spread over the calender. With my vets suggestion we let some immunizations laspe for a few weeks and gave the others a bit early so that all the cats had it done at the same time yearly. This saved me huge amounts of money as bringing them in at the same time, I was allowed a 40% discount. I get a 30% discount with the dogs. Sorry had to add this part in as although it has nothing to do with Ty's dilemna , thought I'd educate our members that it is possible but only after the complete set of shots are done and then their boosters. It also took a couple years before we could have them all done at once and wouldn't have been able to do it until all had their first and three year immunizations done. The reason I was so adamant in getting it done asap was a newspaper story last year. It spoke of a cat which brought in a dead bat to it's home owners - the bat was discovered to be rabid and although neither cat was affected and had not been bitten the results were devestating. The home owner had two cats and although they had vaccines in the past, the shots lapsed and both cats had to be put down as precationary measures by the health authorities. That put the fear into me so much I made the appt the next day for my cats. I also have seen that vets now do the boosters first and then the rabies shots a week or two later than what was done in the past. They have changed their methods over the years so as they can see if the furball has any reactions to the shots. Good luck with Ty Ginny and don't beat yourself up for making a mistake. To err is human. Let us know what happens. Marianne |
| All you have to do to see if he has immunity is get them to draw blood and check titer levels. Not if he was exposed of course, becuase he would show antibodies if he was infected or just immune.
However, no need to do titers if you're going to have the vaccine done anyway. IMO, the immunity probably lasts for life anyway. *IMO* |
| I was unsuccessful finding anyone who who see us on Friday and there is NOTHING around here on the weekends (except Cornell VET college and they cost a fortune). So we are waiting til monday. But Ty won't go outside AT ALL til then!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| Ginny,
The Vet I use refuses to give a new rabies vaccine until after the previous one expires. Pepsi was two 1/2 months over due when he got his vaccine. The Vet said they preferred it that way. He was able to get his 3 yrs shot....no problem. |
| Taken from dmvnews.
"immunity induced by vaccination is extremely long lasting and, in most cases, life long" http://www.dvmnews.com/dvm/issue/issueD ... sp?id=2377 second article. I would not worry you should be very safe. |
| Thanks!! |
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