All warm-blood animals, including dogs, are at risk of contracting the rabies virus. Because dogs live as companion animals to humans, all states require that dogs be vaccinated against rabies. Protocol calls for dogs to be vaccinated at three to four months of age, and again at one year of age. At two years old, the dog receives a three-year rabies vaccination.
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Features
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The rabies vaccine is made of a killed rabies virus. The dead virus causes the body's immune system to develop antibodies that kill the virus.
Time Frame
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There are rabies vaccines for dogs that guarantee immunity for one year, and others that guarantee immunity for three years. However, many local governments still require the annual vaccine.
Significance
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Vaccination of dogs and cats has allowed the U.S. to wipe out human rabies almost completely. In 2006, only three people in the U.S. contracted the disease, which is nearly always fatal, while nearly 50,0000 people die from rabies around the world annually.
Considerations
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There is no treatment for rabies in dogs, and it is nearly always fatal when contracted by humans. The only way to prevent your dog from contracting the virus is through vaccination.
Warnings
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Some dogs do have an allergic reaction to the rabies vaccine. Reaction symptoms include vomiting, facial swelling, fever, lethargy, circulatory shock and loss of consciousness.
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