[Kris L. Christine]

MINNESOTA: 88.8% of veterinarians responding to a rabies survey from the Board of Veterinary Medicine indicated they give a 3 year rabies vaccine; yet 53.3% fail to give pet owners a corresponding 3 year rabies certificate (36.2% issue a 2 year certificate, 17.1% issue "other"). When asked if they inform clients when they put a different expiration date on the rabies certificate than that on the vaccine administered, 40.9% responded that they did not inform the client.

A copy of this 12/14/11 report entitled "Rabies Vaccination Survey Report" may be requested from Dr. John King, Executive Director of the Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine (651) 201-2844 John.King@state.mn.us

PERMISSION GRANTED TO CROSS-POST

[Lunareclipse]

Here in Ohio, it is required by law to have your dog vaccinated every year, whether they get the 3 year or the one year. We don't even know which one they are giving our dog. My vet said they give the three year one at the vet's office because they can no longer buy the 1 year vaccine.

[lange]

Both very informative!!! I need to ask our vets next time.

[Kris L. Christine]

Originally Posted by Lunareclipse

Here in Ohio, it is required by law to have your dog vaccinated every year, whether they get the 3 year or the one year. We don't even know which one they are giving our dog. My vet said they give the three year one at the vet's office because they can no longer buy the 1 year vaccine.

OHIO (NO medical exemption) -- The Ohio Department of Health (614-752-1029) said there is no "state law" on rabies immunization -- it is determined by the counties. Personally, I would look up the ordinances for my area online to make sure they actually state a dog must be vaccinated annually. Sometime people confuse an annually licensing requirement which may only require that dogs be "current" on rabies vax with mandated annually boostering.

The Minnesota Rabies Vaccination Survey Report has been posted on The Rabies Challenge Fund website: http://www.rabieschallengefund.org/i...ey_results.pdf

[Kris L. Christine]

MINNESOTA Board of Veterinary Medicine issues Rabies Vaccination Guidance Document 3/1/12 http://www.vetmed.state.mn.us/portal...ceDocument.pdf

"rabies vaccination certificate should always comply with Minnesota Rule 1705.1146, including displaying the date of vaccination and the rabies vaccine labeled duration of immunity, even if the veterinarian recommends more frequent rabies vaccination"

A major victory for Minnesota pet owners thanks to Jane Anderson & Chris Addington, who, with assistance from The Rabies Challenge Fund, have prompted the Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine to publish a rabies vaccination guidance document in order to get veterinarians to follow the recommendations of the CDC's Rabies Compendium, to issue rabies certificates accurately reflecting the duration of immunity on the vaccine label, to obtain documented informed consent if administering rabies vaccines off-label, and to have "credible, scientifically-based information....in the possession of the veterinarian and available for review" if the veterinarian chooses to adopt a booster protocol other than that recommended in the Compendium.

The Rabies Vaccination Survey Report can be viewed here: http://www.rabieschallengefund.org/i...ey_results.pdf

[DobermanGuy]

Originally Posted by Kris L. Christine

OHIO (NO medical exemption) -- The Ohio Department of Health (614-752-1029) said there is no "state law" on rabies immunization -- it is determined by the counties. Personally, I would look up the ordinances for my area online to make sure they actually state a dog must be vaccinated annually. Sometime people confuse an annually licensing requirement which may only require that dogs be "current" on rabies vax with mandated annually boostering.

The Minnesota Rabies Vaccination Survey Report has been posted on The Rabies Challenge Fund website: http://www.rabieschallengefund.org/i...ey_results.pdf

Good advice in my opinion.

Previously I was driving across the state line (not very far) to get the girls their shots at the PetVax. I 'thought' I was saving money by doing that but I was wrong...

That particular state not only gives the one year rabies shot (and certificate/tag) but they also charge a 'fertility fee' for unaltered dogs or cats. MY state and city recognize the three year rabies vaccine and DO NOT charge me anything extra for having unaltered animals.

When I saw the 'fertility fee' junk on our bill I asked them about it. Once they told me it was the law in that particular city - I refused to pay it. (we do not live in that city and we have NO reason to abide by their laws or pay their fees)