How to avoid rabies vaccination for a senior dog??

[Sparkly]

Our boy, a rescue Bichon we've had since he was around 2 or 3 years old, just turned 13.

Every time we've had to get him a rabies vaccination--in order to be licensed-- he has a reaction. He becomes lethargic, has a lot of panting, shakes, wants to hide, and just isn't himself for hours and hours after getting the vaccine.

Our vet has since retired or I would have asked him if his writing a note would get a "pass" on this.

We just got the renewal notice for license and vaccination.

Is there any way we can legally avoid giving him the rabies vaccination? ...maybe because he's *elderly* or is prone to hot spots/skin condition or something?

Thanks!
Mrs. Sparkly

[k9Karen]

While I hate to say this, because in many ways it's very bad advice, but who is going to know you didn't get him vaccinated? There is no dog patrol that will come to your door to arrest you or impound your dog. You will only get in trouble if he bites someone and the vaccine isn't current. If the reaction is as bad as you say, I can't tell you what to do, but I think if this was my dog, I'd pass on it.

[Sparkly]

Thank you for your thoughts. :O)

In my city, if you don't renew or inform The Powers That Be that you no longer have the dog, they do a followup. Not sure if that means a letter from the City, or what.

The license and rabies vaccinations are coordinated to come due at the same time, and the renewal of the license needs a veterinarian's signature verifying that the dog has received the vaccination.

I'd rather be (ahem) ...inventive ...about facts instead of putting my little guy though that again.

Thank you!
Mrs. Sparkly

[Traci]

Most vets will give exemptions from vaccinations in senior pets, stating something to the effect, "vaccinations contraindicated for the health of this pet" or whatever specific reason the vet thinks is necessary - in this case, potential vaccine reaction. You should be able to ask your vet, or whomever is at the clinic your old vet was at, for an exemption for a stated health reason. Many vets aren't keen on giving vaccines to senior pets, and especially pets with a health condition, which can in fact be contraindicated. I don't think you'd have to deal directly with animal control, they usually only want to see what is written on the city license that the clinic sends to them.

I don't know what protocol in your state is, but in some states: if an owned pet bites someone, animal control will usually allow the owners to quarantine the pet at home for a minimum of 10 days. However, some states are different, in that, if the pet has not been up-to-date on rabies vaccine, the protocol for quarantine may be different. A fine may be levied plus proof of quarantine, and/or letter stating health of pet from the pet's vet.

Just ask your vet for an exemption, take it from there. Let us know what happens.

[Traci]

Karen, actually, AC can and will come knocking at your door, especially if the pet bites someone, and goes to a clinic or hospital for treatment, the doctor is required by law to report it to AC (in some states, perhaps all, I'm not sure). They will come to explain quarantine, and/or they will also fine you for failure of up-to-date rabies vaccination, or fine for failing to license the pet (if the city requires licensing of all pets). Believe me, some AC's will make it incredibly inconvenient for you.

If you live in a county with a rabies quarantine, AC will crack down on anyone they think they can get away with if there's a report. Unfortunately, there are both good and very bad points to this. The good being public health, and revenue for the city (their excuse), the bad, requiring pet owners to license pets who live indoors, and required up-to-date rabies vaccines that probably should not be given to older pets (or pets with a specific health condition).

[k9Karen]

I'll readily admit I've been lax with almost all of my dogs and haven't always had their vaccine up to date. (Dylan is overdue right now). And that is especially true of my elderly pets - after multiple years of vaccines, they should be immune to rabies by then anyway. No one has ever followed up - I've never even received a reminder notice. Maybe Florida is different.

[Sparkly]

Most vets will give exemptions from vaccinations in senior pets, stating something to the effect, "vaccinations contraindicated for the health of this pet" or whatever specific reason the vet thinks is necessary - in this case, potential vaccine reaction. You should be able to ask your vet, or whomever is at the clinic your old vet was at, for an exemption for a stated health reason. Many vets aren't keen on giving vaccines to senior pets, and especially pets with a health condition, which can in fact be contraindicated. I don't think you'd have to deal directly with animal control, they usually only want to see what is written on the city license that the clinic sends to them.

I don't know what protocol in your state is, but in some states: if an owned pet bites someone, animal control will usually allow the owners to quarantine the pet at home for a minimum of 10 days. However, some states are different, in that, if the pet has not been up-to-date on rabies vaccine, the protocol for quarantine may be different. A fine may be levied plus proof of quarantine, and/or letter stating health of pet from the pet's vet.

Just ask your vet for an exemption, take it from there. Let us know what happens.

Thanks, Traci. I'll ask our current vet for an exemption.
Mrs. Sparkly

[Sparkly]

Here's the update.

I called our old vet's office (he retired and sold his business to the new vets, who have seen our boy) and asked about an exemption because of his age, his reaction to the last vaccine, and his skin condition and his being prone to hot spots.

They said they'd have to do an exam before they wrote an exemption.

I asked "Even if his reaction to the rabies vaccine is in his records?" and they said yes. The exam is $45.

I'll call around on Monday to one of the other vet's he's seen in the past for hot spots/skin allergies--that vet is now has a different office/location and see what they say.

Of course, we'll pay for an exam if it can get our little guy an exemption, but we'll be shopping around for the cost of that exam.

Thanks to everyone who replied!
Mrs. Sparkly

[Traci]

The $45 exam fee is around normal pricing around here, I've seen it as high as $70, and of course emergency exams are double and then some.

Vets may request the exam because by law, even if you were to vaccinate with the rabies vaccine, it requires an exam for the vet to sign off on the city license form. So, for an exemption, the same applies, the vet could get in a lot of trouble for not examining the pet at the time of signing the license form. The exam is so the vet can say with certainty the pet has received a proper exam, is not infected with rabies, and is further exempted from receiving rabies vaccines for whatever health reason is necessary.