An Act Concerning Exemption From Rabies Vaccination Requirements
For those members who did not make it to the June society meeting, society member Ralph Slater, our liaison to the Connecticut Dog Federation, reported on a bill that recently passed in Connecticut.
For way too long, all dogs were required to receive rabies vaccination even if they were unhealthy or old; if the vaccine contributed further to their health issues, it did not matter for every dog is required by law to be vaccinated for rabies. Law requires no other vaccines; this is totally up to the guardian.
The harm of the rabies law was that the veterinary community knew, and the vaccine manufacturer indicated as such on its vaccine label, that no unhealthy animal should receive vaccination. To do so could cause that animal further harm, health issues or death, depending on its health status. It put the compassionate veterinarian and conscientious guardian in a compromising situation because the law required the vaccination but by vaccinating an unhealthy animal, the veterinarian was knowingly giving the vaccine to an unhealthy or immune system compromised animal and frankly, that could be considered grounds for mal-practice if the animal suffered the consequences. Finally there is hope for our companions.
The bill that recently passed allows a veterinarian to waive the rabies vaccine requirement for animals that may be harmed by it. The waiver is valid for one year, after which it must be renewed or the animal must receive the vaccination. [my comment: it stands to reason that most exemptions will be for animals that are unhealthy or geriatric, thus the necessity for yearly exemption]. Current law requires all cats and dogs age three months or older to receive a rabies vaccination, which is valid for one year. The animal must receive a "booster" one year after the initial vaccination and be vaccinated at least every three years. Animals revaccinated after age one must be given "boosters" at least every three years. [my comment: you CANNOT booster immunity. If an animal has immunity, it has immunity and in many cases, that immunity goes beyond 3 years. In a letter by Kris Christine, Co-Trustee and Co-Founder of The Rabies Challenge Fund Charitable Trust, a study results published in 1992 by Michel Aubert's research team demonstrated that dogs were immune to a rabies challenge 5 years post-vaccination. Serological studies done by Dr. Ronald Schultz of the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine show that dogs have antibody titer counts at levels known to confer immunity to rabies 7 years post-vaccination. On Page 13 of the The American Animal Hospital Association's (AAHA's) 2003 Canine Vaccine Guidelines (accessible online at Leeburg Training http://www.leerburg.com/special_report.htm), it states: "The minimum DOI for killed rabies vaccine based on challenge studies is 3 years; based on antibody titers, it is considered to be up to 7 years.]
Waiver Process
The bill allows a licensed veterinarian to exempt a cat or dog from the rabies vaccination if, after an exam, he [or she] determines that it would endanger the animals' life due to disease or other medical consideration. The veterinary must complete and submit an exemption form to the Agriculture Department, which must issue an exemption certificate. It appears the department must provide copies of the certificate to the veterinarian, the animal owner, and the animal control officer in the town where the animal owner lives.
The bottom line, this is good news for our companions, and guardians should seek an exemption from their veterinarian for any animal that has an illness, disease or is old. This would include any autoimmune disease including allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, most thyroid illnesses, inflammatory bowel disease and many blood diseases. According to Dr. Don Hamilton, Homeopathic Care for Cats and Dogs, "a huge percentage of illness that veterinarians see today is autoimmune."
For the full bill go to http://www.cga.ct.gov/2006/FC/2006SB-00411-R000268-FC.htm
{Christine Swingle has been a breeder/exhibitor of Westies, under the Bonnie Brier prefix, since 1964. Since 1996, she now raises her Westies the Natural Rearing way, which focuses on long-term wellness and well being through feeding a species-appropriate raw food diet (ARF), supporting natural immunity and using safer and natural alternatives to conventional drugs and chemicals.}
©2003