Rabies : What is There to Know?
If you have a pet, chances are they have had a Rabies vaccination in their lifetime. We all know Rabies is a serious illness. However, what exactly is it?
Rabies is a deadly viral disease that can affect humans and other mammals too. Once symptoms are being seen, the survival rate is practically zero for both humans and other mammals. It is not only important to vaccinate your dog against rabies, but to keep that immunization up to date. Let’s take a look at some of the ways we can keep ourselves and our pets safe from this terrible disease.
How often to vaccinate?
- Consult your veterinarian before vaccinating, but typically each year, your pet should receive a Rabies vaccination. Depending on the pet and their vaccination history, a three year vaccination may be given as well.
- There does exist a Rabies Vaccination for humans, however it is typically given out after potential exposure to the virus, rather than as
a preventative measure.
- People who are at a higher risk of exposure to Rabies due to occupation may opt to receive the vaccination as a preventative. This vaccination for humans can last from 6 months to 2 years before needing a booster shot.
How to identify a potentially rabid animal
The most common way the rabies virus is transmitted to dogs in the United States is through a bite from a wild animal that is carrying the disease. The saliva contains the virus which then is introduced to the victims blood stream. There are quite a few indicators that an animal could be affected, such as:
- Fever
- Seizures
- Paralysis
- Hydrophobia
- Jaw is dropped
- Inability to swallow
- Change in tone of bark
- Muscular lack of coordination
- Unusual shyness or aggression
- Excessive excitability
- Constant irritability/changes in attitude and behavior
- Excessive salivation (hypersalivation), or frothy saliva
What to do if possibly scratched or bitten by an unknown animal?
If your dog is up to date with vaccines and is suspected to have been exposed to the virus, an additional Rabies booster shot will be given and the pet will be quarantined for 10 days.
As mentioned above, a Rabies vaccination for humans is available and is the only course of action recommended once scratched or bitten by an unknown animal.
Keep your pets vaccinated, it could save their life, or yours!