OVMA Handbooks
Issue link: https://publications.ovma.org/i/1284509
OVMA 420 Bronte Street South, Suite 205, Milton, Ontario L9T 0H9 T. 905.875.0756 or 1.800.670.1702 (toll-free) F. 905.875.0958 or 1.877.482.5941 (toll-free) info@ovma.org www.ovma.org 26 Rabies Clinics P o sitio n Statem ent – OVM A OVMA opposes the holding of rabies clinics unless there is epidemiological evidence in and area of the province to support them. OVMA recommends that plans for these clinics be worked out locally between the local veterinary association and the health unit. OVMA recommends that such plans be established in abundance of an incident which presents the need for clinics. It is recommended that prices for clinics be negotiated locally. Where sufficient epidemiological evidence exists to warrant a rabies clinic, OVMA supports the holding of rabies clinics in accredited veterinary practices, in accordance with the College of Veterinarians of Ontario's Professional Practice Standard on Rabies Programs. Background: OVMA is recommending that rabies clinics in Ontario be eliminated unless there is epidemiological evidence that they are required, for several reasons: 1. The health of pets being vaccinated may be endangered, or the vaccine may not be effective, because no physical examination takes place before the vaccination is given. A physical examination should always be performed on a pet before a vaccination is given, for a variety of reasons. • Rabies vaccinations should never be given to pregnant animals, as maternally- derived antibodies will interfere with the vaccine. • The pet may be suffering from an immunosuppressive ailment and become ill as a result of the vaccine. • Concurrent illness, chemotherapy treatments, or certain drugs (e.g. tetracycline) may inhibit the immune response to the vaccine, rendering it ineffective. To rule out these possibilities, the vaccination should be administered only after a veterinarian has thoroughly examined the animal and reviewed its medical records. As physical examinations are not performed in rabies clinics, and as the animal's health records are not available, the animal's health may be put at risk, or the vaccine may not produce the desired immunity, if the animal is vaccinated in a rabies clinic.