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MN Rabies Vax Survey

Posted : 1/11/2012 3:33:21 PM

MINNESOTA[/b]: 88.8% of veterinarians responding to a rabies survey from the Board of Veterinary Medicine indicated they give a 3 year rabies vaccine; yet 53.3% fail to give pet owners a corresponding 3 year rabies certificate (36.2% issue a 2 year certificate, 17.1% issue "other";). When asked if they inform clients when they put a different expiration date on the rabies certificate than that on the vaccine administered, 40.9% responded that they did Beer

not [/b]inform the client.

A copy of this 12/14/11 report entitled "Rabies Vaccination Survey Report" may be requested from Dr. John King, Executive Director of the Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine (651) 201-2844 John.King@state.mn.us

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calliecritturs

Posted : 1/11/2012 7:58:26 PM

That is just plain scarey. Heard of a few instances of that - and I left one vet her in Florida for EXACTLY that ... but seeing it so widespread -- that's just plain scarey

Kris L. Christine

Posted : 1/12/2012 9:25:45 AM

Yes, pet owners need to be VERY vigilant to protect their precious ones!

Liesje

Posted : 1/12/2012 9:44:45 AM

I was curious about this myself, as up until recently my vets were pushing 1 year rabies (1 year everything). I was doing 3 years (required by law) on my own before they switched, I would just ignore the reminder cards that my dog was out of date. About 2 years ago they switched to a 3 year rabies protocol and I checked my dogs' rabies certificates and they do have "3 year" checked and a 3 year expiration date. Good on them.

DougB

Posted : 1/12/2012 10:16:57 AM

Sometimes the problem is not the vet, but the local govt rules. The 1 year and 3 year vaccines are the same vaccine, but politicians like to "know best" and pass laws. When your only tool is a hammer, every problem is a nail. Fortunately, my local govt actually talked to the vets first.

Liesje

Posted : 1/12/2012 11:17:08 AM

I ran into that getting a county license. I asked whether my county requires a 1 year or 3 year certificate (I realize the vaccine is the same). They said all I need is a "valid" license, meaning one that hasn't expired. Luckily I am in the clear since my vet's certificates reflect a 3 year expiration date, but some people might be in trouble if the vet is telling them they only vaccinate every 3 years but their certificate still has a 1 year expiration.

Kris L. Christine

Posted : 1/13/2012 2:18:25 PM

The Minnesota Rabies Vaccination Survey Report has been posted on The Rabies Challenge Fund website: http://www.rabieschallengefund.org/images/stories/pdfs/rabies_vaccination_committee_survey_results.pdf

.

Kris L. Christine

Posted : 3/1/2012 2:41:10 PM

MINNESOTA Board of Veterinary Medicine issues Rabies Vaccination Guidance Document 3/1/12 http://www.vetmed.state.mn.us/portals/22/RabiesVaccinationGuidanceDocument.pdf

"rabies vaccination certificate should always comply with Minnesota Rule 1705.1146, including displaying the date of vaccination and the rabies vaccine labeled duration of immunity, even if the veterinarian recommends more frequent rabies vaccination"

A major victory for Minnesota pet owners thanks to Jane Anderson & Chris Addington, who, with assistance from The Rabies Challenge Fund, have prompted the Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine to publish a rabies vaccination guidance document in order to get veterinarians to follow the recommendations of the CDC's Rabies Compendium, to issue rabies certificates accurately reflecting the duration of immunity on the vaccine label, to obtain documented informed consent if administering rabies vaccines off-label, and to have "credible, scientifically-based information....in the possession of the veterinarian and available for review" if the veterinarian chooses to adopt a booster protocol other than that recommended in the Compendium.

The Rabies Vaccination Survey Report can be viewed here: http://www.rabieschallengefund.org/images/stories/pdfs/rabies_vaccination_committee_survey_results.pdf