Rabies Vaccine For Dogs
Rabies virus affects all warm blooded mammals, is a deadly disease and there is no cure. Our protocol at Wise Road Animal Hospital includes vaccinating puppies as early as 16 weeks of age and yearly thereafter. Owners of adult dogs may have the option to have their dog vaccinated with a rabies vaccine that will last for 3 years. Further information is available at the CDC website and Veterinary Partner.com.
Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The vast majority of rabies cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) each year occur in wild animals like raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes.
The rabies virus infects the central nervous system, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death. The early symptoms of rabies in people are similar to that of many other illnesses, including fever, headache, and general weakness or discomfort. As the disease progresses, more specific symptoms appear and may include insomnia, anxiety, confusion, slight or partial paralysis, excitation, hallucinations, agitation, hypersalivation (increase in saliva), difficulty swallowing, and hydrophobia (fear of water). Death usually occurs within days of the onset of these symptoms.
The most common wildlife species to spread rabies to domestic animals and humans in the Northern Hemisphere are the skunk, bat, raccoon, fox, and coyote. It should be noted in particular that wildlife, bats especially, are able to gain access to indoor areas and potentially infect pets and people.
MANY PEOPLE DO NOT REALIZE HOW FAST DEATH OCCURS FROM RABIES.
While it may take a long time for the virus to incubate,
once even mild symptoms begin, death occurs within 10 days.
The rabies virus infects the central nervous system, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death. The early symptoms of rabies in people are similar to that of many other illnesses, including fever, headache, and general weakness or discomfort. As the disease progresses, more specific symptoms appear and may include insomnia, anxiety, confusion, slight or partial paralysis, excitation, hallucinations, agitation, hypersalivation (increase in saliva), difficulty swallowing, and hydrophobia (fear of water). Death usually occurs within days of the onset of these symptoms.
The most common wildlife species to spread rabies to domestic animals and humans in the Northern Hemisphere are the skunk, bat, raccoon, fox, and coyote. It should be noted in particular that wildlife, bats especially, are able to gain access to indoor areas and potentially infect pets and people.
MANY PEOPLE DO NOT REALIZE HOW FAST DEATH OCCURS FROM RABIES.
While it may take a long time for the virus to incubate,
once even mild symptoms begin, death occurs within 10 days.
