[Dakota]

I have 8 dogs whom I vaccinate myself. I only give the Distemper 7-way right now but when the time comes, I am going to start giving my own rabies as well. I found a really good package deal on rabies vaccines in a hunting dog magazine which includes the vaccines, a rabies certificate and a rabies tag.
I started doing this to save money on vet visits and so I could learn to do it myself.
I was just wondering if anybody here did this also.

[CorkyMax]

I know I would never buy a rabies vaccine through any magazine ad!! You would not know if it was safe to use--Rabies vaccination is a very powerful dangerous thing to a dog to start with--a lot of adverse reactions can happen even with a dose from the Vet. This cheap ad you are looking at could be unsafe!! I don't understand how this ad can offer a rabies certificate or a tag!!! Where do you live? In the USA it is the law that dogs have to have this shot ---- How can you prove that you even gave the shot?!!
I'm pretty sure that a vet has to give this shot and then gives you a signed certificate to show when you get your dog license!

I'm sure you will hear from other members in here on this subject! Am I right guys about this Rabies shot and the procedure?

[Yogi]

The other issue is the fine print on these ads. It is illegal in the majority of states to sell Rabies vaccines. This even pertains to ordering through a magazine or online. If you live in a state where it is illegal, they will not ship to you. You need to confirm first if you live in one of the few states where it is permitted to give your own rabies vac's. I do give my own vaccines, puppies only as WA does not allow for rabies to be given by other than a vet for records purposes.

[Dakota]

To start off I live in Michigan. I still have to find out if it is legal here to administer my own rabies shots. In some states it is legal to give your own rabies shot.
The add I am looking at is in a magazine called Nite Lite Master Catalog. They cater specially to hunting dogs. If I am going to use this rabies vaccine then I am definitely going to do lots of research on it( they have a website as well) and I am going to ask around to see if it is a good deal and a good vaccine. I am not going to just buy an rabies vaccine out of any magazine and give it to my dogs, that would be silly.
If I am going to give the rabies shot then I would take the packaging, with the date that we gave the vaccine, to my vet to show that we gave it.
I assure though that every precaution is going to be taken to be sure that the dogs are safe.
I understand that this is a touchy subject and there are going to be people who are for it and people who are against it.

[Yogi]

Michigan is one of 23 states that does allow individuals to administer their own rabies vacs.

[petsrule]

I live in Idaho and I don't believe that we can legally give our dogs their rabies shots. It must be given by a vet which is fine with me because I'm afraid of needles.

We've also had so many problems with our chocolate Lab reacting negatively to certain substances that I would rather have him in a medical facility when he gets a shot, just in case.

[CorkyMax]

Okay! So there are states that allow you to do it yourself BUT even in these states, the city you apply for your dog license will prob. not accept that as proof! My state of WI. allows you to give the shot yourself but the village/city I live in and have to get a dog license every year will not accept this---It has to be done by a vet with a signed certificate by him and there is a number recorded on this injection. I sure wish it could be done without the vet because I would actually lie about giving it after the 2nd shot! Two is enough possibly for life--although I may get a 3rd shot maybe 5 yrs after the 2nd one and that would be all I'd ever do! I really don't understand how these states have been allowed to even think of 'getting away with this!' The down side being that some people would not get any rabies shots at all putting everybody-dogs, humans, etc. at a dangerous risk!
QUOTE: If I am going to give the rabies shot then I would take the packaging, with the date that we gave the vaccine, to my vet to show that we gave it. UNQUOTE. Sorry but this is not proof--How does the vet know you gave the shot?! Note that I am not saying YOU wouldn't give the shot but there is no proof that a person has done it! I know some would not give it (me included after the 2nd or 3rd shot)

That being said, getting back to getting the vac through this magazine---I would love to see how this whole ad is worded! For one thing-Vaccines must be shipped 1- or 2-day express to ensure that they arrive in peak condition. Does this ad state this?! And just because this ad may be in a popular good magazine does not make it as trustworthy as the magazine. Could be a hoax, etc---Magazine is not responsible!

Here are some good dog catalogs and their phone #'s/sites to check out --

Doctors Foster and Smith (Rhinelander, WI--27 yrs)--phone # 1-800-826-7206. site: DrsFosterSmith.com

Direct Pet Superstore (Marysville, KS)--phone # 1-800-360-4838. site: ValleyVet.com ---I order from here for a lot of things over a long period of time--10 or more years.

Upco--(St. Joseph, MO--phone # 1-800-254-8726. site: UPCO : wholesale pet supplies, dog, cat, bird, puppy, kitten, horse, pet supplies, online pet

You could call them all and ask for a catalog. These 3 do carry vaccines. I have sent for things from all 3 and they are well respected. Direct Pet has a vet pharmacist available to answer any questions--Larry Leseberg, R.Ph. KS License 5-00773--and I have talked to him several times. Off hand I don't know if the other 2 may have a vet pharmacist. Check it out.


I don't know why 2 of these web addresses did not turn out for you to just click on but you can enter them 'manually'

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by Corky/Max

Okay! So there are states that allow you to do it yourself BUT even in these states, the city you apply for your dog license will prob. not accept that as proof! My state of WI. allows you to give the shot yourself but the village/city I live in and have to get a dog license every year will not accept this---It has to be done by a vet with a signed certificate by him and there is a number recorded on this injection. I sure wish it could be done without the vet because I would actually lie about giving it after the 2nd shot! Two is enough possibly for life--although I may get a 3rd shot maybe 5 yrs after the 2nd one and that would be all I'd ever do! I really don't understand how these states have been allowed to even think of 'getting away with this!' The down side being that some people would not get any rabies shots at all putting everybody-dogs, humans, etc. at a dangerous risk!
QUOTE: If I am going to give the rabies shot then I would take the packaging, with the date that we gave the vaccine, to my vet to show that we gave it. UNQUOTE. Sorry but this is not proof--How does the vet know you gave the shot?! Note that I am not saying YOU wouldn't give the shot but there is no proof that a person has done it! I know some would not give it (me included after the 2nd or 3rd shot)

That being said, getting back to getting the vac through this magazine---I would love to see how this whole ad is worded! For one thing-Vaccines must be shipped 1- or 2-day express to ensure that they arrive in peak condition. Does this ad state this?! And just because this ad may be in a popular good magazine does not make it as trustworthy as the magazine. Could be a hoax, etc---Magazine is not responsible!

Here are some good dog catalogs and their phone #'s/sites to check out --

You could call them all and ask for a catalog. These 3 do carry vaccines. I have sent for things from all 3 and they are well respected. Direct Pet has a vet pharmacist available to answer any questions--Larry Leseberg, R.Ph. KS License 5-00773--and I have talked to him several times. Off hand I don't know if the other 2 may have a vet pharmacist. Check it out.


I don't know why 2 of these web addresses did not turn out for you to just click on but you can enter them 'manually'

Like I said above about the add in the magazine, every precaution is going to be taken to be sure that it is a good vaccine. If I think anything sounds fishy about it then I won't use it. I have a website too look at yet and a number to call to get info on it. This is the first rabies vaccine add that I have found so I am definitely going to look around first and not just buy the first one I see. I am also going to talk to my vet, whom I know very well and knows me very well, and see what he suggests.
As for the city not excepting it as proof, that is something that I am also going to talk to my vet about.

Sorry but this is not proof--How does the vet know you gave the shot?! Note that I am not saying YOU wouldn't give the shot but there is no proof that a person has done it! I know some would not give it (me included after the 2nd or 3rd shot)

For some vets, this is enough proof because they know their client very well and they trust them. All vets are different, they are not all going to do things the same way. I have talked to a person who does this with their vet and it works out fine.
Yet another thing I am going to ask my vet about.

And just because this ad may be in a popular good magazine does not make it as trustworthy as the magazine.

I am aware of this which is why I keep saying that I am going to look into it first.
I am just curious as I have heard this from other people too, why wouldn't you give the shots??

[CorkyMax]

Why wouldn't I give the Rabies shots you ask. Because there can be adverse reactions especially when too many are given ---1-2 shots are enough for a life time--3 at the very most! I am going to give you some links that I hope you will read ----->


All About Vaccine Issues & Vaccinations, Dodds & Schultz 2/10

K9joy Education: The Rabies Threat - a free article by Mogens Eliasen

Vaccinations I think there are 4 pages to this thread!

Pet vaccination warning. Severe adverse reaction to immunization

The Rabies Vaccine for Dogs: Side Effects and Precautions You Can Take --Be sure to read this one!!!

[Dakota]

I only had time to read the last one.
I have owned dogs all of my life and not once have I ever had a dog have any of those reactions from a rabies shot. I would much rather them have the shot then not. Thats just my preference though. I can not race my sled dogs with out it.
My vet also does the 3-year vaccine and not the 1-year vaccine. The package in the magazine is also the 3-year vaccine.
I can understand a dog having side effects from a shot but(if I am correct) a rabies shot is like a flu shot for a human where they inject some of the virus into you so you will build an immunity to it. Some humans have side effects and even get sick from it but that just means that they have a weaker immune system. After they get over the side effects/being sick then they will have more immunity to the flu. Same with dogs and the rabies shot. IMO

[Yogi]

[QUOTE=Dakota;95127]I only had time to read the last one.
I have owned dogs all of my life and not once have I ever had a dog have any of those reactions from a rabies shot. I would much rather them have the shot then not. Thats just my preference though. I can not race my sled dogs with out it.
My vet also does the 3-year vaccine and not the 1-year vaccine. The package in the magazine is also the 3-year vaccine.
I can understand a dog having side effects from a shot but(if I am correct) a rabies shot is like a flu shot for a human where they inject some of the virus into you so you will build an immunity to it. Some humans have side effects and even get sick from it but that just means that they have a weaker immune system. After they get over the side effects/being sick then they will have more immunity to the flu. Same with dogs and the rabies shot. IMO [/QUOTE
No offense, but you have not lived that long let alone had that many dogs to experience what many here have. I suggest you read up on Kris L Christines research on Rabies vaccs and the effects. You might discover that a dogs natural immune system as it ages through first half of life has a strong enough immune system to repel nearly anything and that rabies vaccs in fact diminish the immune system from performing properly as a dog ages. I am near 60 years old. To give you a rough estimate as to how many dogs I have had in my lifetime, I was rescuing, raising and breeding by the time I was 8 years of age. Much thanks to an older sister who was already into this. We rescued before rescues even existed. I currently have 28 dogs and 6 puppies of which 3 I am keeping. Most have been with me for the past 5 years. I have owned based on estimate, over 100 plus and have seen far more than you have so when you have had as many as I and get to be my age, you will discover what some of us older and long time dog owners know already. Just because you haven't seen it means nothing at your age and limited time with dogs.

[Dakota]

[quote=Yogi;95131]

Originally Posted by Dakota

I only had time to read the last one.
I have owned dogs all of my life and not once have I ever had a dog have any of those reactions from a rabies shot. I would much rather them have the shot then not. Thats just my preference though. I can not race my sled dogs with out it.
My vet also does the 3-year vaccine and not the 1-year vaccine. The package in the magazine is also the 3-year vaccine.
I can understand a dog having side effects from a shot but(if I am correct) a rabies shot is like a flu shot for a human where they inject some of the virus into you so you will build an immunity to it. Some humans have side effects and even get sick from it but that just means that they have a weaker immune system. After they get over the side effects/being sick then they will have more immunity to the flu. Same with dogs and the rabies shot. IMO [/QUOTE
No offense, but you have not lived that long let alone had that many dogs to experience what many here have. I suggest you read up on Kris L Christines research on Rabies vaccs and the effects. You might discover that a dogs natural immune system as it ages through first half of life has a strong enough immune system to repel nearly anything and that rabies vaccs in fact diminish the immune system from performing properly as a dog ages. I am near 60 years old. To give you a rough estimate as to how many dogs I have had in my lifetime, I was rescuing, raising and breeding by the time I was 8 years of age. Much thanks to an older sister who was already into this. We rescued before rescues even existed. I currently have 28 dogs and 6 puppies of which 3 I am keeping. Most have been with me for the past 5 years. I have owned based on estimate, over 100 plus and have seen far more than you have so when you have had as many as I and get to be my age, you will discover what some of us older and long time dog owners know already. Just because you haven't seen it means nothing at your age and limited time with dogs.

I am aware that I am still young and have a lot to learn. Trust me, many people go out of their way to make that quite clear to me all the time.
I don't mean that just because I haven't seen any reactions, it doesn't exist, it just isn't something that I have had any trouble with.
Just because I am not as old as some people are, doesn't mean I know nothing. I don't like telling people how old I am because when they hear that I have a 1 at the beginning of my age they immediately stop taking me seriously and say " Oh your only a kid, you don't know anything." Its true I haven't lived long enough to know a whole lot but I do know something and I do have some experiance. ( I am not referring to you in any way)
I have a lot of respect for the people who know more than I do but just because they do something, it doesn't necessarily mean that I have to do it. Yes it might be a good option or good advice but everybody's dogs and situations are different so advice and things that work for you( generic you), might not work for someone else. I am going to do what ever works for me and my dogs.
I am sure that there are dogs who have had reactions to the rabies vaccine and some that might have died but all of the dogs that I have had have lived healthy lives and never had any reactions. That was where I was coming from when I said that in my earlier post. I didn't say that it never happens because I have not seen it. Thats not what I meant.
I hope that all makes sense. I am pretty good at not making sense and for straying off topic. lol

[fairydogmother]

Giving the shots yourself is not hard at all. My concern would be making sure that you are getting a good product. My vet will let me buy the vaccine from him and then I administer the shot at home; saves me about $10 per shot. In TX a vet must be the one to administer the rabies though. If it is legal to give the rabies shot yourself where you live, you might see if you can get the rabies vaccine from you vet. It would be worth asking anyway.

[Lunareclipse]

We can go to our local fire department and get rabies shots.