Rabies Shots

[countrygirl12]

I helped take a couple pooches to a rabies clinic this weekend.  Some of the dogs were jumping around and it occurred to me that it would be easy for the needle to stick the person giving the vaccine.  I asked the girl doing the shots if that happened if it would hurt the person who got stuck.  She didn't seem to know for sure but said she assumed no because she said "we take Rabies vaccines".  I was confused by that but she was busy so we didn't talk a lot more.

I took that to mean that the people who worked in the vet offices had to take Rabies vaccines? That isn't right is it?

I know if you are exposed to rabies they have a series of shots that a person has to take.  But I would not think it was the same thing that is given to cats and dogs???

Thoughts?

[1imaginarygirl]

Honestly, I don't know what would happen if a human was given a rabies vaccine meant for dogs. Feline, canine, and human vaccines all contain the killed rabies virus, but it's formulated differently for each species' immune system.

It is recommended, but not legally required, for anyone working with animals to be vaccinated for rabies, especially if working with wildlife. When I was in college, I had to either get the vaccine or sign a waiver before I could start my internship. I got the vaccine - it was 3 shots in the arm muscle, a few weeks apart. It was about $600, if I recall correctly, and my health insurance wouldn't cover it. If you are exposed to rabies when you are vaccinated, you still have to get post-exposure shots like everyone else, but you only have to get 2 of them instead of 4.

[pectacon]

Interesting, I'm not sure but if the people working there have had their rabies shots enough to be protected from actual rabies exposure, a stray vaccination (containing a dead or weak version?) would probably not be any worse. I wonder if pets are given the same thing just a smaller amount depending on weight?

[appy9104]

I worked for a vet and he got us rabies vaccines, it was a 3 dose series but intra-dermal.  Having been around a lot of jumping around animals and needles (including large horses)  you could get stuck with the tip of the needle but you have to push the plunger to actually inject the meds.  All cats and dogs, regardless of weight get the same dose of vaccine.  A 1000# or 2000# horse gets double the dose of a cat!!

[singletonb]

I love coming to this forum and being educated about things I did not know that I did not know. thanks for the education.

[ktheodos]

Informative discussion......

[dreamyxo]

I've never had one thank goodness but I heard they're painful.

[countrygirl12]

Honestly, I don't know what would happen if a human was given a rabies vaccine meant for dogs. Feline, canine, and human vaccines all contain the killed rabies virus, but it's formulated differently for each species' immune system.

It is recommended, but not legally required, for anyone working with animals to be vaccinated for rabies, especially if working with wildlife. When I was in college, I had to either get the vaccine or sign a waiver before I could start my internship. I got the vaccine - it was 3 shots in the arm muscle, a few weeks apart. It was about $600, if I recall correctly, and my health insurance wouldn't cover it. If you are exposed to rabies when you are vaccinated, you still have to get post-exposure shots like everyone else, but you only have to get 2 of them instead of 4.

Wow.  I did not know that.  I just wondered because there were a lot of dogs there and some were jumpy so I wondered if the needle accidentally stabbed her if it would hurt her.  OR the pet owner trying to hold the dog.

[countrygirl12]

Interesting, I'm not sure but if the people working there have had their rabies shots enough to be protected from actual rabies exposure, a stray vaccination (containing a dead or weak version?) would probably not be any worse. I wonder if pets are given the same thing just a smaller amount depending on weight?

They were going dog to dog and giving the same amount to like my huge dogs and the tiny runt dogs.

[countrygirl12]

I love coming to this forum and being educated about things I did not know that I did not know. thanks for the education.

lol Some times I have weird random thoughts.

[countrygirl12]

I've never had one thank goodness but I heard they're painful.

Well use to they gave in the stomach and that was after maybe being exposed.  I did not know they done any different now.

[vickysue]

Growing up out in the country we had to watch for rabid  animals all the time. When I was nine I had gone out to  get the eggs and this dog started after me, and I climbed the  wire on the  chicken pen. He was foaming at the mouth. snarling real bad, I was so scared but clung to the  top of the  pen. Our neighbor head me screaming as soon as Mom did and both came with guns, Mr. Creech shot him twice. He was tested and  had rabies . After that the  farmers and ranchers went on several hunts for rabid animal. The county was infested  pretty bad by then. So all stray animals were shot. There was about 15 skunks some dogs and some cats along with a few other animals that were rabid when tested. I  just thank God I was ok and  for the neighbor who shot the dog. 

[countrygirl12]

Growing up out in the country we had to watch for rabid  animals all the time. When I was nine I had gone out to  get the eggs and this dog started after me, and I climbed the  wire on the  chicken pen. He was foaming at the mouth. snarling real bad, I was so scared but clung to the  top of the  pen. Our neighbor head me screaming as soon as Mom did and both came with guns, Mr. Creech shot him twice. He was tested and  had rabies . After that the  farmers and ranchers went on several hunts for rabid animal. The county was infested  pretty bad by then. So all stray animals were shot. There was about 15 skunks some dogs and some cats along with a few other animals that were rabid when tested. I  just thank God I was ok and  for the neighbor who shot the dog. 

I have a neighbor with 4 dogs that although he has a pen 2 of them get out all the time.  Those two came in to my back yard and was between me and my back door and was barking at me.  I do not know if they are vaccinated or not. Either way I do not want to get bit.

Esp not on my own property.

[appy9104]

Interesting, I'm not sure but if the people working there have had their rabies shots enough to be protected from actual rabies exposure, a stray vaccination (containing a dead or weak version?) would probably not be any worse. I wonder if pets are given the same thing just a smaller amount depending on weight?

You are right all cats and dogs regardless of size get the same dose(1ml).  A horse (be it a 400# pony or a 2000# draft horse ) gets a double dose (2ml).   

They were going dog to dog and giving the same amount to like my huge dogs and the tiny runt dogs.

[1imaginarygirl]

Honestly, I don't know what would happen if a human was given a rabies vaccine meant for dogs. Feline, canine, and human vaccines all contain the killed rabies virus, but it's formulated differently for each species' immune system.

It is recommended, but not legally required, for anyone working with animals to be vaccinated for rabies, especially if working with wildlife. When I was in college, I had to either get the vaccine or sign a waiver before I could start my internship. I got the vaccine - it was 3 shots in the arm muscle, a few weeks apart. It was about $600, if I recall correctly, and my health insurance wouldn't cover it. If you are exposed to rabies when you are vaccinated, you still have to get post-exposure shots like everyone else, but you only have to get 2 of them instead of 4.

Wow.  I did not know that.  I just wondered because there were a lot of dogs there and some were jumpy so I wondered if the needle accidentally stabbed her if it would hurt her.  OR the pet owner trying to hold the dog.

Getting accidentally stabbed by the needle happens. It's less likely that a person would get stabbed AND push the plunger to inject all the contents, but I'm sure that happens occasionally too. I always left the cap on the needle until the last second after the animal was calm, or I asked the owner or another tech to help restrain the animal.

Edit: I just found the MSDS for the killed rabies vaccine. It says there may be localized swelling from accidental injection, and possibly an allergic reaction to the preservatives. https://www.henryscheinvet.com/Content/pdfs/P011542.pdf