Allergy to Rabies Vaccine

[Jennifer and "Cooper"]

Hi.  When Cooper had his first rabies vaccine as a pup, he had an allergic reaction to it where his face swelled up to the size of a basketball, his eyes swelled shut, his lips swelled up, he was drooling profusely and repeated projectile vomitting.  All of this happened about an hour after the vaccine when we were already home and so I had to throw him back in the car and rush the 25 minutes back to the vet's office to get an antihistime and steroid injection.  Needless to say it scared me to death!

Anyhow, I was wondering if anyone else has had a dog with a vaccine allergy and if so did it last forever or did the dog outgrow it? 

He is due for his rabies vaccine next month and I'm a nervous wreck about it already even though the vet is going to pre-medicate him with an antihistime and have me leave Cooper there for the morning for observation.  

 

Thanks for your help.

 

Jen 

[shelly]

Hi sue!  Tori is part Aussie... do you think they are more sensitive and more apt to have reactions?  I took her off Heargtgard b/c of the Ivermectin reaction she seemed to have..she would through up and really be out of it.... I thought it was coincidence, but after three month ut uh!

[shelly]

YES!  Tori had the exact same reaction.  She had 2 shots that day and one was the 3 year Rabies shot.  The vet seems to think it was the Rabies shot.  She is not due for this shot until next year, but I am afraid to get it.  My vet too said not to worry (yeah, right) he would pre-medicate her too.  I think if you could leave Cooper there that would be a GREAT idea!  I think I may think about that too.  Good luck! I'll check in and see how Cooper made out!

[Jess and Pippin]

I don't know about exemptions, but for future, talk to your vet about titre testing blood levels for immunity instead of repeating routine annual vaccinations.  For me, the cost of titre testing is close to the cost of the vaccinations.  Our previous dog, Sam, had epilepsy and vaccinations and flea/tick medication triggered seizures.  The titre testing was a really nice option.

[Jennifer and "Cooper"]

Thanks to everyone for the great advice.  I've never had a dog that's been allergic to anything before, so this is all new to me.  I will call the vet today and revise Cooper's vaccine appointment so they can be given weeks apart with pre-medication and I'll leave him there for observation.  (Or maybe I'll just camp out in the waiting room for the day.)

We just had to put our 13 year old boxer down in May when we found out she had aggressive bone cancer.  I think part of me is afraid that he's going to have a catastrophic reaction and I'm going to lose him too.  

[Bonnie and Kona]

Jennifer, I completely understand your fears about losing Cooper after recently losing your boxer. I lost three dogs in three years and I have been pushing down a rising panic that something is going to happen to my doodle. I realize it is irrational. You, on the other hand, have had a life-threatening allergic reaction with your Cooper and should be concerned. I am so glad your vet is taking this seriously and will monitor him. Please update us after Cooper's rabies shot so we can know how he managed it. I will keep you in my thoughts.

[Mustard Seed Ranch]

I am certain it is the rabies vaccine. It actually is much more common to have a reaction then many would believe...which is why the vet is certain its the rabies. I agree whole heartedly about NOT having more then one shot ber visit. Space them out, but YES, he will react again. Benedryl before and steroids after are the usual protocol and it usually looks so much worse then it is. BUT, if you can leave him there a few hours and com back...DO IT! Definately worth it. YES, ask about the titer tests and if its possible but most likely you will have to do this next one as its considered a booster and then three years later(then do the titer instead).

[shelly]

Is it common for the dogs to still have an immunity for rabies when they do a titer?  Tori had the 3 year and is due again either the end of this year or next... have to check that out.  I think when the vet e-mailed us for her check up - it did NOT include rabies - just the lepto, which I won't give her anyway.  They also said to bring in a stool sample b/c I stopped giving her Heartgard due to a bad reaction to THAT!  (my parents think I'm nuts worrying about a dog and reactions to shots/meds.. years ago they only went to the vet IF they were sick - maybe)

[F, Calla & Luca]

Shelly, I would really worry about heartworm especially since we have so many mosquitoes in the tri-state area. Maybe another kind of preventative. Did you see that video posted the other day?

[shelly]

I know.. I am forever spraying a natural repellent on my hands and then rubbing it on her.  No, I didn't see the video.  I wasn't on much yesterday.  I wanted to speak to the vet about Interceptor.  have you heard anything about that?

[F, Calla & Luca]

That's what my doodles have always been on and we've had no problems but that ,of course, doesn't mean you won't.

[shelly]

Really... Interceptor? That sounds promising

[Tina, Clover, Plus 5 More]

Shelly, there is a test available to determine ivermectin sensitivity.  Not sure of the cost or accuracy of the test.  It is an option though. 

Here is the link

http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-VCPL/test.aspx