Rabies
Rabies is a fatal viral disease which infects dogs, cats and many other types of animals. Rabies is also contagious to people. Vaccination helps prevent rabies in pets.
Rabies is a disease which poses a serious threat to people and animals. Rabies is invariably fatal and is a zoonotic disease (a disease which can be passed from animals to people and from people to animals). Because people can become infected through pets, rabies is considered to be one of the most important zoonotic diseases in existence, posing serious public health risks. As such, most communities have implemented rabies vaccination regulations which pertain to dogs and cats within the community.
Symptoms of Canine and Feline Rabies Rabies is caused by a virus which ultimately infects the brain of the exposed animal. Exposure occurs through contact with an infected animals, usually through a bite wound. The most common carriers of rabies in the United States are skunks, bats, raccoons, fox and coyotes.
Once infected with the rabies virus, the virus replicates in body tissues and eventually reaches the brain. Once in the brain of the infected animal, death usually occurs within ten days.
The first symptom seen with rabies may be a personality change. This will be followed by the excitatory phase of the disease, during which the animal may become aggressive and dangerous. The excitatory phase is followed by the paralytic stage, sometimes also called the "dumb" form of rabies. In this stage, the throat becomes paralyzed, causing the animal to be unable to swallow and the typical drooling is seen during this phase of the disease.
Once symptoms of rabies begin, the disease is incurable and fatal. Rabies is seen in both dogs and cats. Contrary to popular belief, rabies is actually more common in cats than in dogs in some areas. Rabies can also affect horses and other livestock.
Canine and Feline Rabies Vaccination Fortunately, rabies vaccination is very effective in preventing the spread of rabies to pet dogs and cats.
Rabies vaccinations are considered core vaccines for dogs and cats both. In most areas, rabies vaccines are mandated by law to help protect the public against the spread of rabies. Rabies vaccine protocols differ from state to state and from veterinarian to veterinarian. Typically, puppies are vaccinated at 12 weeks of age and kittens may be vaccinated as early as 8 to 12 weeks of age. The rabies vaccine is boostered a year later, then administered following the laws in the community, usually every 1 to 3 years.
Vaccinations against rabies are also available and recommended for other pets, such as ferrets and horses. In some states, vaccinations against rabies is mandatory for ferrets as well as for dogs and cats.
Exposure of Pet Dogs and Cats to Rabid Animals When a pet dog or cat is exposed to or bitten by a rabid animal or an animal suspected of being rabid, there are numerous factors that come into play. If the pet dog or cat is vaccinated against rabies, the outcome is much more likely to be satisfactory.
Each state has its own regulations in dealing with situations involving exposure of pets to rabid animals or animals suspected of having rabies. Generally, if vaccinated against rabies, the pet dog or cat is revaccinated and ordered to be confined for a specific length of time (usually around 45 days but varying from state to state).
If an unvaccinated pet is exposed to rabies, the protocol is much different. In the case of exposure of an unvaccinated pet to a confirmed rabid animal, the recommendation for the pet is euthanasia. In lieu of euthanasia, the pet must be quarantined for a length of time which varies from state to state but is generally around 6 months in length. This confinement often needs to take place in a secured facility, such as an animal control facility, local pound or humane shelter. In most cases, the owner of the pet incurs daily charges for these boarding fees as well as fines for not having the pet vaccinated. In addition, if the pet begins to show signs of illness, euthanasia and testing for rabies will likely become necessary.
Dogs and Cats Which Bite People — Dealing with the Threat of Rabies When a person is bitten by a dog or cat, state protocols again come into play. Usually, if the dog or cat has received a rabies vaccine and is considered currently vaccinated following the state's rabies protocol, the danger of rabies exposure is considered negligible.
In the event that a person is bitten by an unvaccinated dog or cat, the dog or cat must be quarantined and observed for a time period specified by the individual state, but usually ranging from 10-14 days. This confinement is usually done at the owner's expense and in a secured facility.
Obviously, vaccinating pet dogs and cats for rabies is the responsible course of action for any pet owner. Vaccinations against rabies protect animals from becoming infected with rabies while also protecting the pet's family and the people in the pet's community.
Rabies is a disease which poses a serious threat to people and animals. Rabies is invariably fatal and is a zoonotic disease (a disease which can be passed from animals to people and from people to animals). Because people can become infected through pets, rabies is considered to be one of the most important zoonotic diseases in existence, posing serious public health risks. As such, most communities have implemented rabies vaccination regulations which pertain to dogs and cats within the community.
Symptoms of Canine and Feline Rabies Rabies is caused by a virus which ultimately infects the brain of the exposed animal. Exposure occurs through contact with an infected animals, usually through a bite wound. The most common carriers of rabies in the United States are skunks, bats, raccoons, fox and coyotes.
Once infected with the rabies virus, the virus replicates in body tissues and eventually reaches the brain. Once in the brain of the infected animal, death usually occurs within ten days.
The first symptom seen with rabies may be a personality change. This will be followed by the excitatory phase of the disease, during which the animal may become aggressive and dangerous. The excitatory phase is followed by the paralytic stage, sometimes also called the "dumb" form of rabies. In this stage, the throat becomes paralyzed, causing the animal to be unable to swallow and the typical drooling is seen during this phase of the disease.
Once symptoms of rabies begin, the disease is incurable and fatal. Rabies is seen in both dogs and cats. Contrary to popular belief, rabies is actually more common in cats than in dogs in some areas. Rabies can also affect horses and other livestock.
Canine and Feline Rabies Vaccination Fortunately, rabies vaccination is very effective in preventing the spread of rabies to pet dogs and cats.
Rabies vaccinations are considered core vaccines for dogs and cats both. In most areas, rabies vaccines are mandated by law to help protect the public against the spread of rabies. Rabies vaccine protocols differ from state to state and from veterinarian to veterinarian. Typically, puppies are vaccinated at 12 weeks of age and kittens may be vaccinated as early as 8 to 12 weeks of age. The rabies vaccine is boostered a year later, then administered following the laws in the community, usually every 1 to 3 years.
Vaccinations against rabies are also available and recommended for other pets, such as ferrets and horses. In some states, vaccinations against rabies is mandatory for ferrets as well as for dogs and cats.
Exposure of Pet Dogs and Cats to Rabid Animals When a pet dog or cat is exposed to or bitten by a rabid animal or an animal suspected of being rabid, there are numerous factors that come into play. If the pet dog or cat is vaccinated against rabies, the outcome is much more likely to be satisfactory.
Each state has its own regulations in dealing with situations involving exposure of pets to rabid animals or animals suspected of having rabies. Generally, if vaccinated against rabies, the pet dog or cat is revaccinated and ordered to be confined for a specific length of time (usually around 45 days but varying from state to state).
If an unvaccinated pet is exposed to rabies, the protocol is much different. In the case of exposure of an unvaccinated pet to a confirmed rabid animal, the recommendation for the pet is euthanasia. In lieu of euthanasia, the pet must be quarantined for a length of time which varies from state to state but is generally around 6 months in length. This confinement often needs to take place in a secured facility, such as an animal control facility, local pound or humane shelter. In most cases, the owner of the pet incurs daily charges for these boarding fees as well as fines for not having the pet vaccinated. In addition, if the pet begins to show signs of illness, euthanasia and testing for rabies will likely become necessary.
Dogs and Cats Which Bite People — Dealing with the Threat of Rabies When a person is bitten by a dog or cat, state protocols again come into play. Usually, if the dog or cat has received a rabies vaccine and is considered currently vaccinated following the state's rabies protocol, the danger of rabies exposure is considered negligible.
In the event that a person is bitten by an unvaccinated dog or cat, the dog or cat must be quarantined and observed for a time period specified by the individual state, but usually ranging from 10-14 days. This confinement is usually done at the owner's expense and in a secured facility.
Obviously, vaccinating pet dogs and cats for rabies is the responsible course of action for any pet owner. Vaccinations against rabies protect animals from becoming infected with rabies while also protecting the pet's family and the people in the pet's community.