The rabies shot

     Animals need a numerous types of vaccine in order to prevent some diseses that often occur in animals, especially domestic animals, such as dogs and cats. Rabies shot is one of those vaccine which needs to be administrated, because rabies is a fatal disease in canines and can also be transmitted to humans. But rabies shot has also some side effects that you have to take into consideration.

     The only vaccine demanded by law for dogs is the rabies shot. The rabies shot is supposed to be administered periodically to prevent our best friends, the dogs, from getting rabies but to prevent the infestation of humans also. Rabies can be transmitted and taken from other dogs or cats or from some wild animals such as bats, coyotes, skunks, raccoons or foxes.

     There are some rules in administrating the rabies shot. Is good to administrate the firs rabies shot at the age of 4 months and after that a new shot for susteinabillity is given when the dog is about 1 year old. Dogs are supposed to be vaccinated once a year, or once every three years, depending on the location and the laws from one area. However, the studies have shown that a rabies shot can be effective for about six-seven years.

     When you get a new dog, you have to remember to get his vaccination records also, particularly if the dog is not a puppy anymore. The vaccination is forbidden if the dog or the cat has cancer or autoimmune diseases, because it can have adverse reactions to the shot. The rabies shot shouldn't be injected within 3 to 4 weeks of other major vaccinations.

     You have to take into consideration that the dog can have a negative reaction to the rabies shot. There are the signs displayed by dogs having a negative reaction to the shot: heavy breathing, facial swelling, skin rashes, watery eyes, anaphylactic shock, vomiting. These symptoms can occur right on the day of the shot. This may indicate that the dog is allergic to the shot. In this situation you need to call the vet immediately. Dogs are possible to develop health problems after the shot.

     Rabies shot has also some long term side effects, such as: stress or anxiety, allergies to food, aggressiveness, bad behavior like barking, growling, chewing, biting, obssesive compulsive behaviors, weak muscles, seizures, gastrointestinal problems. If you observe any of these side effects, contact your vet immediately.

     Is very important to protect your health and your dog's health by administrating the rabies shot. The rabies infection is more serious than the negative reactions and the side effects which may appear after the rabies shot. Is forbidden to inject the vaccine in combination with other vaccines or if the animal is suspected to have rabies.