How do I legally avoid having my dog innoculated again against rabies?

Question

My dog developed cancer on the injection site of her last rabies vaccination. In Florida it is mandatory that all dogs get rabies vaccinations yearly. How can I avoid this vaccination which will surely kill her, other than moving to a more sympathetic state. (I got the 3 year Merck vaccine, but Florida requires yearly boosters.)

Answer 1

Have your vet write a letter stating why it is not safe for your pet to get the vaccine.
Many city offices will waive the vaccine requirement if there is sound medical proof why your dog (or cat) should not be vaccinated.
We have a couple pets at our practice who we have done this for with no problem.
You could also just opt not to license her, this way they would not check for the vaccine. May work while you figure out how to get them to waive the requirement.

Answer 2

I don't think my dog ever really had all the vaccinations she was supposed to, even though they were required by law. I mean it's not like they have people going door to door checking a dog's tags. Is anyone really going to know if you don't give your dog her shot?

As for the person that said they would rather risk CANCER than risk getting rabies... how many times do you hear of someones pet dog getting rabies?? Not very often. However cancer is the number one killer of our nation's dogs.

And no, of course it wasn't a "coincidence" that the dog developed cancer right at the spot where she received her vaccine. Dogs have been known before to develop cancer at the injection site of rabies vaccinations. Giving your dog unnecessary vaccinations is never good and in the long run, what it does to your dog's body probably causes much more harm than the"risk" that your dog will get rabies.

Answer 3

There is more than 1 kind of rabies vaccine and the newer "recombinant" ones are less likely to cause any kind of sarcoma, at least I know they are in cats.

Ask your vet about different vaccine options.

Also ask local health officials if you can have a titer done of the dog's blood to show if the rabies vaccine is still effective and if it is, can you skip the shot?

Bring paperwork to the local health official that shows the link between the cancer and the shot and explain it to them. If they hardball you I would suggest (in a gentle and nice way) that the press coverage from the lawsuit if you dog gets cancer again would be very unpleasant as would the lawsuit. Perhaps an image of you sitting outside city hall with a bandaged dog on your lap would make for a good photo op.....but this would also lead to more people wanting to skip the vaccine and then instead of just you with your dog they would have many people banging on their door and asking for an exception.....maybe that will help them see the light.

I would also ask your local state rep. to start a bill to allow for a titer to be the exception.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Another option for you to consider is to ask for the non-adjuvanted rabies vaccine (1 year vaccine) the next time you go to your vet. This vaccine is less likely to cause cancer at the injection site in comparison to the three year vaccine which is the adjuvanted kind. The adjuvant is a substance that they add to vaccines to allow for the vaccine to last longer and typically allows for better absorption of the vaccine as well. It is believed to play a major role in vaccine induced tumors. At least with this option you are keeping within the law. You can also see if they allow recent titers as proof of vaccination. In mine opinion it would not be worth the risk of not having your dog vaccinated especially if the state of Florida has strict rules. I have had my experience with situations where an unvaccinated dog who bit somebody had to either be quarantined for a signficant amount of time or euthanized so they can be tested for rabies depending on the county laws of the state.

Answer 5

There are medical exemptions for the rabies vaccinations in the Florida State law which states:

"A dog, cat, or ferret is exempt from vaccination against rabies if a licensed veterinarian has examined the animal and has certified in writing that at the time vaccination would endanger the animal's health because of its age, infirmity, disability, illness, or other medical considerations. An exempt animal must be vaccinated against rabies as soon as its health permits."

Answer 6

You need to find a different vet immediately.
I live in Illinois and alot of vets here don't let people know there is a 3 yr.shot and I'm always amazed by the people I hear complaining about the cost.They get 2 papers to send to the county with their registration fee.One of those papers has a price list on it so people know how much money to send in.
If your dog gets the 3 yr.shot it can be registered for 3 yrs for a few dollars more than one year registration.
If the vet you have is lying to you about the shot then I'd also question the cancer diagnosis.

Answer 7

Get the dog vaccinated - it is the law in most States - and if you cannot afford a veterinarian there are usually rabies clinics where you can get the shot for a nominal cost, sometimes at Petsmart or a farm store, and sometimes at the local shelter. Whatever you choose vaccination is a must - it is the law.

Answer 8

I live in Florida, and my dogs just got the 3 yr rabies shot! See if there is another vet in your area that has the 3 yr.

Answer 9

No one will know unless your dog gets picked up by animal control. Your can probably have your vet write a letter stating the reason that your dog is not getting the vaccination

Answer 10

I have not heard of injections site causing cancer...and if this dog ever goes outside I would rather take the risk of cancer than the greater chance of contact with a rabid animal. Although rabies is required to license a dog, I don't know of any animal control agency that would come after you and your dog if you don't license it!