Lily
Sorry you are going through this ordeal. As you know, and i don't
have to tell you, you are right. Your dog is NOT at risk for rabies.
At the same time, the dog is at risk for adverse reaction to the
vaccine. A reasonable person will weigh risks and benefits, but
although they are supposed to be the experts, a lot of vets have a
skewed sense of judgement. If you can find a more reasonable vet, it
would be less stressful for you, but at least either way, you sound
intent on protecting your dog. That's the main thing. Unfortunately
the law requires rabies vax. I've never had my dog vaccinated for
rabies. He's not at risk of getting it, and there are risks from the
vaccination, so i simply have to avoid situations where it would
become an issue that he hasn't had the vaccination. Sometimes it's a
little inconvenient, but not very much, since i don't take him to
shows or agility. Once i called Petco to see about grooming and they
said sure just bring proof of vaccination. So i had to find a
different groomer who didn't ask for that. Hopefully you can find a
less intimidating vet. I've been to many vets and it's only been the
minority who bring up vaccinations. Any vet who would force this
issue would not be someone i would take my dog to; fortunately i have
a lot of choices. And most vets i've been to seem to practice a
"don't ask, don't tell" policy. I have Petcare insurance and i've
had my dog to the vet for a few things where i've made a claim for
insurance reimbursement, and on the one page claim form, there is a
box for the vet to check that says "Up to date on vaccinations,
yes/now." I've had new vets check the Yes box, just assuming the vax
have been done at a previous vet, and i've had some check the no box,
some say 'don't know,' but none have actually said anything to me
about it. They usually fill out the form later after my visit and
fax me the form later. The only reason for titers would be to have
some documentation of active immunity, based on the indirect evidence
of antibodies. Having a current titer might be useful in certain
contexts, but as you said, as far as judging what the right thing for
your dog is, titers are irrelevant. The dog is not at risk of rabies
so it doesn't matter if she has no antibodies or no immunity.

Good luck finding a different vet, or just weathering the conflict
you will have with the current one. As far as how to handle your
vet, i think the first choice for me would be to not be defensive
(easier said than done) and just be matter of fact, "My dog had a bad
reaction to the previous shot. I don't feel safe exposing him again.
I understand that there is a policy of vaccinating all dogs, to
maintain herd immunity, but also, it's reasonable to make vaccination
decisions on a case by case basis, and in my dog's case, my decision
is not to vaccinate because of my belief about the risk. I understand
you are advsing that the risk is minimal, and i appreciate this. I
will keep this in mind as i periodically reevaluate my decision. for
now, I am not going to vaccinate." Hopefully fewer words than that
will be needed, such as, "I've thought it over and I am not going to
vaccinate right now." End of discussion. Dog owners are placed in a
bad position by vets who insist, forcing the dog owner to openly
reject the vet's professional opinion. But we have to take the best
care we can of our dogs, so it's a price we sometimes have to pay.

If you want or need supporting documentation about duration of
immunity from the previous vaccination you had, it's out there. There
are published studies, some of them by drug manufacturers, you might
find some on PubMed (abstracts of the studies). You might contact
Jean Dodds in CA who would be able to help you find such information.
She has a website with contact information. If you email her, she
will most likely email you back fairly soon.

http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/DODDS-RESUME.HTM

Judy



>
>
>I am considering doing titer testing for rabies, but I honestly
>don't see the point as I really can't in good conscience give my dog
>that shot again. She is an inside (potty pad trained) dog, and her
>doggie friends are all well-taken care of, and healthy. We don't
>live in the country. IMO, it would be a one in a zillion chance that
>she would be exposed to or contract rabies, or any disease for that
>matter.
>
>Sorry if I sound frustrated, it's just that I've gotten phone calls
>all week from vet offices basically "ordering" me to come in to the
>office and get up to date on vaccinations and flea/heartworm meds if
>I "really care about my pet's health."
>
>Thanks for listening.
>
>Any advice on how to handle my vet next week?
>
>Lily