Quote Originally Posted by TopCat3
If vaccines are so effective, why would it be deemed necessary to re-vaccinate within 2 months, I wonder?

It's a bit like mothers freaking out at schools because there is an unvaccinated kid in the class. If their kids have been vaccinated, what are they worried about?

Sorry if this appears like a personal attack on you, it isn't. I am just very cynical about the whole issue, for kids and animals, "they" sometimes seem to have "us" so indoctrinated and "they" put on a white coat and speak like God handing the tablets to Moses and "we'll" believe anything.
I never said I thought it was effective to vaccinate, just that it was safe to double vaccinate, which is what the original post was asking.

Most vets will re-vaccinate an animal that comes in with a bite wound, even if both biter and bitee are vaccinated indoor cats. It's the theory of CYA.

At the Animal League - and at the zoo - we always vaccinated with Imrab. The zoo vets liked it because it was safe to use even in exiotic mammals that it wasn't specifically labeled for, and because it could go either IM or SQ. As to whether or not it actually prevented an animal from contracting rabies... we never had an exposure so we never got a chance to test its efficacy.

A lot of veterinary medicine, especially in areas of zoonotic diseases like rabies, is about covering your butt. Since it is safe for the animal to vaccinate redundantly, it's best to revaccinate. It won't hurt the pet and it might just be the little extra that prevents a tragedy. Since getting another rabies shot did no harm to Itchy it didn't bother me that he got one, redundant as it was.

Another good reason to vaccinate for rabies: An unvaccinated animal that has a rabies exposure is generally euthanized immediately to prevent the spread of the disease. A vaccinated animal in the same situation can be quarantined until after the incubation period is up, then returned to the owner. If vaccinating will save my pet from being euthanized, I'm vaccinating.