The Overuse of Rabies Vaccination
Responsible pet owners place great faith in veterinary medicine, and rarely question the safety or need of a yearly rabies shot. However, some rabies vaccination laws may require pets to receive shots too often, especially if the animal is advanced in age or sick. Although some states offer exemptions, local authorities may choose to enforce their own laws. As result, all kinds of pet owners, from graduate students and families to single pet owners whose pet is the world to them have experienced tragedy when their beloved pets have suffered serious health issues or died due to excessive or risky vaccination. When conventional medicine fails, alternative treatment options for the effects over-vaccination may prove to be helpful.
Rabies vaccination laws differ from state to state, and local authorities are under no obligation to recognize state guidelines. Presently, there are 13 states that offer medical exemptions for animals in poor health: Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin.
No matter what state pet owners live in, it is important for those with ill or senior pets to get their pets exemption from the rabies vaccine by bringing a certificate of non-vaccination to be signed by their veterinarian. Pet owners should make sure the symptoms of their pet's adverse vaccine reactions are documented in the animal's veterinary file and then keep a copy themselves to use in a medical exemption appeal. Since manufacturers' labels on vaccines clearly warn that only healthy animals should be vaccinated, requests for medical exemption should be made in any state, regardless of rabies laws.
Until the vaccination issue is resolved, advocates need to fight for the rights of pet owners to have greater control over a system that puts so many animals at risk of serious illness or death. Students from online schools and traditional university campuses may be a great source of advocacy, as they often do not have animals themselves, but are willing to back an important cause. There are also online resources already in place for advocacy.
Aimee's Rabies Exemption Law in Texas and Molly's Bill in California are two examples of victims who actively seek rabies vaccine law reform. The Rabies Challenge Fund is working to change rabies requirements to once every 5 years, with a goal of eventually creating an interval of once every 7 years. They have also been responsible for changes in rabies vaccine laws around the country. They plan to study the levels of antibodies needed in order for an animal to be protected against the virus.
An antibody test could be used in place of the standard annual rabies vaccine, and prevent unnecessary suffering and death. Preventative measures may be taken so that the animal is protected and vaccination is unnecessary. This is especially important for small breeds, who suffer the most as a result of over-vaccination because of their size.
Many pets suffer the effects of over-vaccination. Vaccine-related disorders often manifest themselves from about 2 weeks to 1 month after administration. Vaccinosis is a common consequence of immune system weakness caused by vaccinations. Autoimmune diseases, hypothyroidism, skin diseases, allergies and asthma are some examples of vaccinosis.
These adverse reactions should be reported to the federal authorities and vaccine manufacturers. The Center for Veterinary Biologics has an adverse event report form that may be completed online. Manufacturers often employ veterinary service departments to keep record of reported issues and offer treatment options.
Holistic care may be another option to consider when conventional treatments provide no relief. Holistic veterinarians treat animals using natural remedies including herbal therapy, chiropractic care, and acupuncture, and prefer the use of safer alternatives to vaccines. Shirley's Wellness Café, for example, offers online medical help in a variety of areas, including over-vaccination. They also support the reformation of vaccine laws nationwide.
The one-size-fits-all approach to pet vaccinations has proven to have detrimental effects, but luckily there are resources online to learn more about over-vaccination and prevention. Those who have suffered the consequences are working to change laws that do not take an individual animal's health, age, and size into consideration. In the meanwhile, owners must stay informed of local regulations and possible health risks. For those who are already victims of this flawed system, there is hope.
