Is the rabies vaccine safe for my senior dog with chronic illness?

That is a great question. Vaccinations and the benefits and risks should be discussed with your veterinarian. This is best because your veterinarian knows your pets medical history and whether all the vaccinations are still ok to do based on your pets immune system and current health. Another thing to take into account is your pets exposure to certain diseases. Most pets at least go outside to potty, so that scenario can expose your pet to certain diseases like leptospirosis (found in rainwater and the soil) and distemper (mimics rabies symptoms). And if your pet gets groomed periodically or goes to doggy daycamps or parks, then the Bordetella vaccination would be recommended to protect them from upper airway infections. Rabies however is the only legally required vaccination by law for pets to get. I hope that this information is helpful. Best of luck moving forward.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Happy. I typically will not vaccinate a dog that has had a significant immune mediated disease such as IMHA. However, each case is different. Rabies is typically 100% fatal if a pet acquires it. So deciding to vaccinate also needs to consider Happy's risk factors for exposure. I hope this information helps!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Abby. The rabies vaccine is required by law so this vaccine is absolutely necessary. I recommend keeping her current on her other vaccines as well. The annual exam is just as important to ensure that she stays healthy especially as she ages. I recommend a scheduling an appointment with her veterinarian to discuss risk factors in your area based on her lifestyle. From there, you can decide together on vaccinating her. I hope this information helps!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I am so sorry about your husband! I hope you are doing better. Blueboy will be fine! He can get his rabies and restart his distemper combo series. He'll likely get 2 of them 3 weeks apart. Once he finishes those vaccines he'll be protected for the next year. I hope this helps and I wish you well!

No, he isn't too old to be vaccinated. A rabies vaccine can be given and boosted in 1 year, then every 3 years. The distemper/parvovirus combination (DHPP) can be given, then boosted in 4 weeks. After that, it can be yearly or every 3 years depending on the vaccine. Other vaccines, given based on risk of exposure, include Bordatella, Leptospirosis, Lyme and Canine Influenza. Discuss these as well as monthly heartworm, parasite, flea and tick preventatives. Consider having Fatty neutered as well.

It's great that you're being conscientious about her vaccines! From an immunologic perspective, nothing significant is changing in Lola's immune system between now and Saturday, so getting the booster done then will be fine. From a legal perspective, the rabies vaccine expires exactly 1 year from the initial booster, so she will be considered "unvaccinated" for a couple days. I wouldn't be too worried about you boostering her a couple days late - but to be on the safe side, just limit her exposure to strangers or other dogs for those few days until she's vaccinated again, to avoid the rare chance of someone getting bitten and inquiring about her rabies status. Hope this helps.

It is OK for him to receive both vaccinations at the same time as long as he has had no previous vaccine reactions. That being said, it is up to you. If you want to split them up there is no harm in doing it that way.