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Rabies
By Susan Beal,
DVM
Greetings of the evening,
The issue of Rabies vaccinations is
indeed a troubling one. As a homeopath, I feel I see vaccinosis
reactions to all vaccines, including the rabies vaccine. Rabies
vaccinosis may include, but not be limited to behavioral problems,
seizure activity, shyness/aggression, reverse sneezing,......
(It's a long list, but you get the drift,...)
Just as with tetanus in horses, the
potential for vaccinosis with a rabies vaccine may be lessened
because the route of entry of the vaccine is closer to that
of the natural infection (injection and biting) than is the
case with some other types of vaccinations. (I know that rabies
can be transmitted via saliva contact, but roll with the analogy.)
The zoonotic potentials and the vast fear of rabies has affected
the manner in which the exposure and quarantine laws, as well
as the local and state/provincial vaccination requirement
laws, have been written and enforced. The Rabies issue reaches
far beyond logic and reason some days.
In many areas the only option given
to an animal who has been exposed to a potentially rabid animal
(and this means any animal not captured and identified,...)
is either a six month quarantine or euthanasia. Although the
exact laws vary between areas, their gist is the same. The
enforcement of these laws is from the State/Provincial and
Federal level, and is completely out of the hands of the attending
veterinarian. In our area we have a very active "rabies
police", as well as some severe county ordinances (some
of my clients live in counties where Rabies vaccination is
mandatory and enforced in all species (seizure of the stock
and big fines for non-compliance,.....)). As a veterinarian,
I have to consider the consequences of my advice to my clients.
In some cases to advise against Rabies vaccination leaves
the doors open for repercussions beyond our control, and may
indeed be life-threatening to the animals and costly to the
client (monetarily as well as emotionally).
There is much public concern over the
need for Rabies vaccination. The Rabies Nosode was not meant
to replace the rabies vaccination. There is not enough experience
with nosodes to make this recommendation (although there are
several really exciting research projects in the works using
nosodes for dis-ease other than rabies,....). It would also
be a huge task to change the legal and scientific opinions
in this area. As homeopathic/holistic veterinarians we find
ourselves between a rock and a hard place when it comes to
the Rabies vaccination issue,.... (and that's not the only
time !!).
At this time, most of my colleagues
with whom I am in close touch are recommending that clients
still continue to vaccinate their animal companions for Rabies.
We are using the three year vaccine (where it's recognized),
and for the most part are giving Rabies alone, with no other
vaccine. We also immunize at a bit later age than the current
label recommendation of twelve weeks.
Without exception we give the Rabies
nosode (Lyssin or Hydrophobium) at a 30c potency as soon after
the vaccination as is possible. I do that right in my office,
since it gives me a chance to say "this is a homeopathic
remedy we use that seems to decrease the long-term side-effects
of vaccination."
In some instances the client may be
using a combination nosode which contains the rabies nosode.
The thought behind this is to prevent some of the undesirable
side effects of the vaccination and to perhaps add even more
protection than would be afforded by the vaccine alone. In
my clients who may see another primary care veterinarian,
I send them the remedy Lyssin so they have it to give after
the vaccination has been administered.
To my knowledge there has been one case in California where
a case was taken to a higher court, and the client was granted
the right not to vaccinate her dog for rabies. This case involved
a case of chronic disease treated homeopathically, and it
was felt by the veterinarian and the client that to vaccinate
the dog would severely compromise the animal's health. It
was a big battle, but I understand that it is "on the
books."
I have also recommended that clients
postpone their Rabies boosters for a variety of reasons (remember,
it says on the label for use in healthy animals). In our area
that has yet to create a problem, once the law enforcement
officials realize the animal is receiving regular veterinary
care, and the decision not to vaccinate was a medical one.
It's a big issue, sure to generate debate and compromise.
If the situation arises and Rabies vaccination is inevitable,
give the rabies alone, and feel free to dose Lyssin 30c after
the vaccination has been given.
Best Regards,
Susan Beal DVM
alchemy@penn.com
Good morning,
Mary, On Wednesday 2.5/97 you wrote
asking me to expand on the incidence and spread of Rabies,
as well as offer more information about the woman who took
her desire not to vaccinate her dog to a court ruling. The
easiest answer first,.... The court case was discussed at
a veterinary homeopathy meeting, and it was a personal communication
from Dr Richard Pitcairn. He or one of his staff members may
be able to offer you more specific information as far as when
and what county and all that other legal stuff.
The incidence and transmission rates
of Rabies vary with geographical areas as well as population
densities. It seems to be cyclical within the wild animal
population. Carriers also vary with the area - in this area
raccoons seem to be the contact species, but when I practiced
in Southern Ontario, the fox was the primary interface. It
also appears that practices such as moving raccoons for hunting,
and the manner in which species adapt to a variety of living
situations (such as fox, skunk, and raccoons in urban areas),
and other illness and imbalance within the wildlife reserve
impacts the incidence of Rabies within that population, as
well as the rate and speed of transmission of the virus.
Transmission rates seem to depend on
the contact species, the route of infection (bite, location
of the bite,...), the number of virus particles shed in the
saliva (which depends on the stage of illness of the biter),
the immediate post-exposure treatment, the age and general
health of the animal,....
The incubation for Rabies can be very
long (many months,....), and often the actual exposure may
not have been documented. It would be inappropriate of me
to generalize about incidence without knowing something about
the location of the inquiring mind ! I trust this has been
of some help, but may not yet be as specific a response as
you might wish.
Let me know if you would like more
information or references.
Regards,
Susan Beal DVM
alchemy@penn.com
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