We are told that pet owners and veterinarians should use mecury-free rabies vaccines. In fact that applies to any vaccines. This is because mercury is toxic to pets and people (as I understand it). It is used as a preservative and/or antiseptic in vaccines. I am also told by Drs Becker and Shultz that mercury is not in human vaccines:
“We know that thimerosal, an adjuvant included in human vaccines, has been removed due to health concerns…”
I am further informed by Dr. Ronald Schultz, a pioneer and expert in the field of veterinary vaccines, that he is not aware of any veterinary vaccine that contains “Thimerosal”. Thimerosal is one of the names for mercury additives to vaccines. Another two are: Thiomersal, Merthiolate
But……Dr. Cathy Alinovi DVM writing on the well-respected website Truth About Petfood.com says that there are four commonly administered rabies vaccines for dogs and cats and all but one (perhaps) contains mercury under one of the complicated names they give such as Merthiolate.
Okay. Confused? I am. The only one that is listed in Dr. Cathy Alinovi’s article which does not contain mercury appears to be: Boehinger Ingelheim’s Rabvac but even then I can’t be sure because it contains a “proprietary adjuvant”.
I need clarification. We know that mercury should not be in vaccines or at least that is the way I read the situation. But it is complicated. The trouble is this: which cat rabies vaccines don’t contain mercury?
I am further informed that all Merial vaccines are mercury-free according to this website.
Whatever…just make sure that you ask your vet to use mercury-free rabies vaccines. The rabies vaccine is mandatary in every state of America. That means a lot of cats being vaccinated. Let’s not harm them unnecessarily.
Note: this is a very complicated area of veterinary medicine. I am not a vet. I have deliberately kept things straightforward and focused on one topic to simplify the article. If there is an error in it please tell me and I will amend it promptly.
Sources:
Many vets don’t carry Murial Purevax because of the cost. Seems that many of the same pet owners screaming about safe vaccinations balk at the few extra dollars to provide one.