Severe side effects from the rabies vaccine!
By Jennifer Stoeckl, MAT - Dire Wolf Project CEO, Jan. 16, 2025
Yesterday, after heading to the Dire Wolf Project’s Rainbow Bridge Memorial, one of our DireWolf Dog owners sent me the following report:
“I am so sorry to read about Jesse. She was such a beautiful dog and I am sure was a sweet soul.
“I went to her post on your Rainbow page and in reading some of the other pups passing I noticed one passing after rabies vaccine. I wanted to ask your thoughts on something. Valek got the 3 year rabies vaccine last year and it made him incredibly sick. He couldn't keep anything down, liquids or food. We almost lost him. I was giving him subcutaneous fluids daily and syringe feeding him for almost 2 weeks until he could finally keep down homemade bone broth. Then chicken and rice and slowly walked him back to being able to eat again. He is doing much better but ever since then has had more gas and seems like certain foods since then (which he probably shouldn't be having anyway ...) really upsets his stomach. He is more prone to diarrhea now and seems to have a much more sensitive stomach since all that. It has made me very concerned about him getting more vaccines. Our vet offered to do an EGD and further gastric workup but he doesn't do well with anesthesia and vet has had to give him repeated sedatives to wake him up very slowly because he goes crazy. Due to his size he becomes dangerous for them to handle and he tried to hurt himself in the kennel. So I really didn't want to go through that again with him.
“Is there any vaccines you are aware of we need to stay clear of that maybe you know others Dirus dogs have done poorly with? Should we pursue the testing?
“Would love your thoughts!! He is as precious to me as any of my human kiddos so we want to do the best for him!!
“We just moved to the country and he is thriving. He loves caring for his farm buddies and always wants to walk down to the barn to check on his chickens. He is simply the best dog and companion ever!”
Authorities will tell you there is “NO CAUSE FOR ALARM”.
Nothing to see here.
Just move along.
While vaccinosis remains rare in our breed…
We have heard of several American Dirus dogs having severe reactions just after having been given the rabies vaccine.
So it does happen.
And when it does, like Valek above, it is usually severe.
The most important thing to know is that some vaccines carry mercury in them.
This is particularly true with the rabies vaccine.
Thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative,
contains nearly 50% mercury by weight.
It was first introduced into vaccines during the 1930s by Eli Lilly.
Early safety concerns were raised by the Pittman-Moore Animal Pharmaceutical Company, which warned Eli Lilly in 1935 about the risks of Thimerosal when used in canine vaccines.
Their research reportedly showed that over half of the dogs vaccinated with Thimerosal-containing products experienced inflammatory reactions.
These concerns have been presented multiple times in Congressional hearings, with the correspondence between Pittman-Moore and Eli Lilly included as part of the records discussing mercury-related risks in vaccines.
Despite these historical warnings, Thimerosal continues to be included as a preservative in many vaccines for both humans and animals.
Exposure to mercury can result in symptoms such as:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue
- Tremors/seizures
- Speech and mobility difficulties
- Attention deficits
- Damage to the brain, lungs, or kidneys
- Coma in severe cases
Concerns have been raised linking mercury exposure to neurological issues, including a debated association with autism due to overlapping symptoms.
However, a review by the Institute of Medicine did not confirm a direct link between Thimerosal and autism.
Nevertheless, public health agencies, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and vaccine manufacturers collectively agreed to phase out Thimerosal in pediatric vaccines and reduce its use in others.
The good news is…
There are Thimerosal-Free Rabies Vaccines for Dogs!
Merial produces IMRAB 3 TF, a three-year vaccine, and IMRAB 1 TF, a one-year version.
Fort Dodge also manufactures RABVAC 3 TF, another thimerosal-free option, although it is not widely advertised on their website.
When vaccinating your dog for rabies, verify the product label to ensure it is free from Thimerosal.
And once your dog has had its first rabies vaccine, the next time your dog is due for the rabies shot, do a titer test instead.
Yes, it is more expensive.
But think of the immeasurable cost that comes with severe side effects just like what happened to Valek.
A titer test will determine whether your dog has sufficient antibodies to meet federal/state/county laws.
And if you have to, you can receive a written exemption from your veterinarian excluding your dog from further rabies vaccines due to health reasons.
Which is exactly what I would do if I were Valek’s owner.
Do not allow yourself to be bullied by authorities on this one.
Your dog can’t stand up for itself or say no to any medical intervention.
So you must be the advocate for your dog.
You have options.
Again, this is what I would do:
- Make sure the vet orders a mercury-free vaccine for the rabies vaccine.
- To comply with the law, before any subsequent required rabies vaccines, order a titer test to prove adequate antibodies.
- If the dog has ANY side effects to the rabies vaccine, receive a medical exemption from a veterinarian in order to remain in compliance with the law, and do not give the dog with severe reactions another rabies vaccine again.
Then, REPORT your pet’s adverse reactions from the rabies vaccine to the FDA.
Here’s how:
And if you would like to read more about Vaccinosis, here is an e-book written by Ed Frawley, owner of Leerburg and German Shepherd Dog breeder for many, many years.
https://leerburg.com/pdf/vaccinosis.pdf
Jennifer Stoeckl is the co-founder of the Dire Wolf Project, founder of the DireWolf Guardians American Dirus Dog Training Program, and owner/operator of DireWolf Dogs of Vallecito. She lives in the beautiful inland northwest among the Ponderosa pine forests with her pack of American Dirus dogs.