Rabies vaccination for dogs is not required by law in most states. There is, however, a Rabies vaccination protocol that every dog owner should know about. This helps to reduce the chances of you or your dog from contracting rabies, as well as making sure that your dog remains healthy. Here are some of the dangers of not vaccinating your dog and what you need to know before administering the shot.
The first danger with rabies is that it is fatal. While there have been a few reported cases of dogs remaining alive after contracting rabies, this is extremely rare. At this time, even only humans who have never had rabies can still receive treatment from rabies if they are exposed to the disease through a bite from another infected animal. However, because the disease is spread through bodily fluids, any animal with rabies can infect a human who is later bitten. Rabies is particularly dangerous because it attacks the nervous system, which is where most of the symptoms of the disease are detected.
Rabies attacks can occur at any time of the year, but the most likely time for bites is during the cold months of November through February. Rabies is spread through saliva, so most of the time the pet owner is not even aware that he or she has been bitten until the problem shows up weeks or months later. Dogs who contract rabies usually become unconscious within two to five minutes of the initial bite, but if the dog is conscious enough to wiggle their head, they will be awake during the next few hours, prompting the owner to seek medical attention immediately. Pets that become unconscious after being bitten may not be able to communicate with their owners or struggle free of the fur for long enough to be taken to the veterinarian’s office. When this happens, the first aid measures recommended by the American Society for the Prevention of Rabies, including fluids and electrolytes taken intravenously, as well as pain relief medications, anti-inflammatory medicines and antibiotics, should be administered.
In the United States, rabies is not routinely detected during routine annual exams unless the pets become unconscious and need emergency care. Rabies vaccination for dogs and other wild animals should be performed by a veterinarian experienced with this type of medicine, since most clinics offer this service. Rabies vaccination is highly recommended for any family pets or humans who may come in contact with wild animals.
Rabies is more likely to affect dogs who live in rural areas where many other dogs roam. The most common time of year when dogs can be bitten is when another dog is injured or bitten by another dog during play. Rabies vaccination for dogs and other pets may not be routinely offered to pets in these settings, since it is less likely for a dog to develop rabies in these settings.
If an animal in these settings were to contract rabies, the result would be death within two to five days. In cats, the most typical symptom is loss of vision, followed by general fatigue and weakness. These symptoms are not always evident in domestic cats, since cats can be infected with rabies from consuming contaminated objects like toys or food that the cat has come in contact with. Rabies in cats may take up to a week before symptoms appear.
Rabies vaccination for dogs and other animals should be done at the animal control agency’s veterinary office, although it is possible for a cat to contract rabies from another pet, particularly if the carrier dog or animal is sick. Some of the most common types of animal control units offer rabies vaccines on site, but others require an additional fee. Rabies vaccination for dogs and other animals should be performed by licensed veterinarians. Some vets offer this service free of charge to clients. Others charge a nominal fee to maintain a fleet of rabies vaccines and dogs throughout the year.
Rabies vaccination for dogs and other pets may be required at some point in life. Pets and family members are more likely to be exposed to the rabies virus if the animals are kept outside or around other animals, so vaccination is a very good idea for all of the pets and people in the home. Rabies affects most dogs within three days of exposure, but there is a twenty-one-day incubation period. Once the incubation period expires, then the dog is considered uninfected and can be placed back in its outdoor carrier.