Rabies is a dangerous infection that attacks the brain. The resulting illness is always fatal, so vaccination of any animals that could carry the disease is required by most states. The rabies vaccination protocol helps control this serious disease.
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Why Vaccinate?
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Rabies vaccines are only one of many regular vaccines for pets, livestock and humans. However, it is the only one required by law. It is the most important vaccine to give because of the impact of infections and the possibility of it spreading wildly. Other illnesses are usually confined to specific species--even when the same disease exists in different animals, it doesn't cross between them. For instance, both dogs and cats can get parvo virus, but they can't get it from each other, it is specific to each species, and most importantly is not zoonotic to humans. Rabies, however, is contagious by contact and not species specific.
Carriers
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Dangers exist mostly from wild animals that are not, and cannot, easily be protected. Foxes, coyotes, raccoons, skunks and bats represent the highest risk to humans and pets due to their usually close proximity to human habitats.
Who is at Risk?
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Any warm-blooded mammal can contract rabies from the bite of an infected animal. On rare occasions it can be airborne, but usually only where high concentrations of droppings from infected animals exists such as bat caves. Dogs, cats and humans are less susceptible to the rabies virus than other mammals, and since there is a regular vaccine, dogs and cats rarely contract the disease. Humans, on the other hand, are more at risk because a human rabies vaccine is not available for regular use. There is a human rabies vaccine designed for those who are at high risk for the disease, such as wildlife workers and veterinarians. However, the most common protocol for people is immediate vaccination post-exposure to prevent the disease from taking hold.
Vaccination Schedule
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A first rabies vaccine is given to puppies between 3 and 6 months of age, and kittens between 2 and 6 months. It is best given on its own without any other vaccinations in order to give the animal the most time to adjust and recover. At 1 year the adult animal receives a booster, and then yearly or every two years thereafter.
Laws
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Most states have rabies vaccines laws. Dog and cat owners must show proof of vaccination from their veterinarian in order to register their pet. Some states allow a two- or three-year vaccine, while others demand a yearly vaccination in every case. It is important to know the laws of your state in order to be sure of compliance. Some states demand that rabies shots be given by 3 months of age, others allow up to 6 months for the initial vaccine.
Precautions
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Rabies can take several weeks to months to incubate and be detectable, so never assume an unknown animal is safe just because they look normal.
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