Is the rabies vaccine safe for my 2-month-old puppy? Any side effects?

There are [no ill effects](https://www.petcoach.co/article/can-vaccines-harm-my-pet) that I am aware associated with getting [rabies](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/rabies/) vaccinations close together. Just the usual possible side effects of any vaccination are possible. These may include, lethargy, fever, pain at the site of injection or a swelling at the site of injection. As long as she seems healthy, I wouldn't worry about it too much.

No, Princess should not be dangerous to anyone if she bites or licks them - it's very normal for puppies to do this :) Rabies is extremely rare in pet dogs, and would be virtually unheard-of in a puppy this age - it can only be transmitted through the bite of an infected wild animal, so it's unlikely that she would have had any possibility of exposure at the age of two months. Dogs can get their rabies vaccine anytime after 12 weeks of age. So she isn't quite old enough yet, but your veterinarian can vaccinate her in another month or so. I do not recommend giving 5 in 1 vaccines on your own, because in my experience, vaccines purchased over the counter and given by owners are often not effective. It's much better to have your veterinarian give the vaccine, to make sure it's guaranteed to work.

For small dogs, I generally do recommend to separate vaccines by a few weeks. This will decrease the chances of a vaccine reaction. You can also give the pups diphenhydramine prior to the vaccines to further decrease reaction rates. Definitely discuss these options with your veterinarian. Possible side effects of vaccines are vomiting, diarrhea, facial swelling, lethargy and collapse. If your pups exhibit any of these afterwards, be sure to have them seen immediately. The vast majority of pets are fine with vaccines however and reactions are rare. Most vets vaccinate based up risks associated with life style and the diseases found in your area. I recommend to have a conversation about risk factors for your pups but I suspect they are present if your vet is recommending these vaccines. Clear communication however is always best. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.

I would check with your vet as to when Stela needs her rabies vaccine again. Certain ones must be given yearly, while other brands can be given every three years. It depends on the specific brand of rabies vaccine given. No, the rabies vaccine does not weaken the immune system, it actually strengthens is and protects the dogs from getting rabies. You can see some mild side effects for a day or two after vaccination, such as swelling at the vaccine site, lethargy, and/or decreased appetite, but no long term side effects. Good luck, I hope this helps!

Yes sure certain Rabies vaccinations (only certain formulations) needs to be repeated two times 3-4 weeks apart to be effective. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. Please find the time to give us a feedback about the consultation as that will be used to improve our service.

Is Jimmy almost 4-5 months old or is she 6 weeks old? It is unclear based on your question versus the pet's info line. The rabies vaccine should not be given before 12 weeks of age. In a dog older than 12 weeks of age, the rabies vaccine takes about 2 weeks to confer protection. After this time period, there should be reasonable protection. No vaccine is 100% effective at preventing disease though.

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! The Rabies vaccine is well tolerated and comes with minimal side effects. If Frankie has never had a vaccine reaction in the past I wouldn't expect him to have one this time. If you want to be cautious then give him an oral dose of benadryl a few hours before the appointment. I wish you the best! https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/dog/benadryl/