Washington State Rabies Vaccine Law Hits By Worries Over The Dog Owners Communities

Washington State recently rolled out the Rabies Vaccine Law that has no room for exceptions! What if any dog has allergic reaction to vaccines? There are many pets that have exhibited life-threatening reaction to the first rabies vaccines. Those dogs should not get another shot if they have to live. If such dogs are re-vaccinated with the rabies vaccine they will die.

Dr. Ron Schultz, professor and chair of the Department of Pathobiological Sciences at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, Madison says that there's no way to break the law, but he is  quite optimistic about little changes in the law. However, on the other hand professor Schultz said, "there's absolutely no dependable way to prevent these reactions in some dogs", although an antihistamine an hour before vaccination can prevent such adversity, yet chances are there that such dogs may ultimately suffer a bad ending. Professor Scultz says, "we're trying to get states to recognize rabies titers (or antibodies to determine if the pets remain protected by their previous vaccine) even at three years in lieu of re-vaccination. Titers are a reliable determination. But state regulators don't always ask vaccine experts, and may themselves not be veterinarians. What's more, laws vary from state to state and even within states. There's no standardization."

Candidly speaking, a law without any exception - especially in situations when it comes to questioning a life, is basically a non-sense regulation. If it was me, I would not have vaccinated my dog, making experimentation with his life - one precious life! Even though I clearly understand and would like to abide by the rules and regulations laid by the pet vaccine law for rabies, I would still look for allowance for exceptions to the law. The "titers", as explained by Dr. Ron Schultz is another sensible option, although not a solution!

The Washington State Veterinary Medical Association should advocate for another amendment in the current Rabies Vaccine Law, with allowance for exceptions.