It might seem incredulous that vaccinating your dog as recommended by veterinarians and required by law could actually kill or make your companion animal sick. But every year, veterinary hospitals and the federal agencies that regulate them report that adverse vaccine reactions are on the rise, according to a Purdue University study. Reactions ranging from acute illness and sudden death to aggression that puts public safety at risk have sparked a grassroots movement aimed at changing US rabies vaccination laws.
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Significance
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According to veterinarian Richard Pitcairn, ̶0;Vaccinosis is the establishment of, instead of the acute natural disease, a chronic condition which now has the time to develop a multitude of manifestations not ordinarily seen.̶1; Aggression, one of the symptoms associated with rabies, seems more intensified as part of a vaccine-induced rabies, or rabies vaccinosis.
Rabies Vaccinosis̵2;A Chronic Disease
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Following the rabies vaccine, dogs can develop the fearful or nervous apprehension associated with acute rabies, Pitcairn says. In the original disease, he says ̶0;a developing viciousness̶1; can be directed toward people, most likely strangers. But a disturbing set of new symptoms is emerging as a result of repeated vaccination, he suggests.
Vaccine-Induced Aggression: New Symptoms
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According to Pitcairn̵7;s speech ̶0;A New Look at the Vaccine Question,̶1; a dog may develop aggression as part of a varied, chronic disease brought about by over-vaccination. He says that ̶0;because of repeated vaccination,̶1; the acute form of the disease has changed. The former suspicious, fear aggression toward strangers seen in rabies can become anti-social aggression toward other dogs, including vicious attacks of other animals with ̶0;a desire to kill̶1; in rabies vaccinosis, Pitcairn asserts. While a rabies-infected dog resists restraint by chewing at the restraints, a dog with rabies vaccinosis will react with ̶0;hysterical, violent behavior ̷0; so extreme as to cause self-injury.̶1;
Time Frame
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Rabies vaccinosis can occur immediately after vaccination or within three months of receiving the injection. "My biggest concern with pets are the changes in behavior after being vaccinated," says veterinarian Michael E. Dym of Cedarbrook Animal Hospital in New Jersey. "This is usually along the lines of aggression, suspicion, unusual fears, etc. The essential aspect is a lack of control of impulses."
Prevention/Solution
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Because most states require vaccinations by law, what̵7;s a dog owner to do?
Pitcairn makes several suggestions: Vaccinate your dog only for known diseases in your region or state; don̵7;t repeat vaccinations frequently̵2;every year is too much and puts your dog̵7;s health at risk, and be sure your veterinarian uses killed or modified-live virus vaccines instead of the live product.
Expert Insight
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Some veterinarians have banded together to change how vaccination protocols are managed in the United States. Every state requires vaccinating your dog against rabies. Although studies show a rabies vaccination provides at least three years of protective immunity against the disease, several states require annual or biannual boosters. Veterinarians like Jean Dodds and Ron Schultz of the Rabies Challenge Fund (RCF) consider repeatedly exposing a dog to the rabies virus can be detrimental to its health. "Killed vaccines like those for rabies virus can trigger both immediate and delayed adverse vaccine reactions (termed 'vaccinosis')," according to RCF.
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