Why does the animals need to be vaccinated against rabies?

The importance of vaccinating your pet Keeping your pets up to date on their rabies vaccination will prevent them from acquiring the disease from wildlife, and thereby prevent possible transmission to your family or other people.

1. Why do animals need rabies shots?
2. What animal is required to have a rabies vaccination?
3. Why is it important to vaccinate your animals?
4. Why is rabies important?
5. How effective is rabies vaccine?
6. Can you vaccinate animals against rabies?
7. Why do cats need rabies shots?
8. How can rabies vaccine be prevented?
9. How do animals get rabies?
10. Why is it important to vaccinate dogs?
11. What happens if you don't vaccinate your dog?
12. What happens if your dog is not vaccinated?
13. What does rabies do to animals?
14. Why is rabies such a big concern?
15. Can my dog still get rabies even though she is vaccinated?
16. Is it OK if a vaccinated dog bites you?

Why do animals need rabies shots?

It's to keep YOU from getting rabies. The most likely route rabies will take to get from wildlife to you is through your pets. That vaccine is literally a barrier to protect you.

What animal is required to have a rabies vaccination?

In California, all dogs four months or older are required to be vaccinated for rabies. It is also recommended that cats be vaccinated for rabies. It is neither economically feasible nor justified from a public health standpoint to vaccinate all livestock against rabies.

Why is it important to vaccinate your animals?

Vaccinations prevent many pet illnesses. Vaccinations can help avoid costly treatments for diseases that can be prevented. Vaccinations prevent diseases that can be passed between animals and also from animals to people. Diseases prevalent in wildlife, such as rabies and distemper, can infect unvaccinated pets.

Why is rabies important?

Rabies also threatens the survival of endangered wildlife species, such as African wild dogs and the Ethiopian wolf. Controlling rabies is critically important to prevent human deaths and alleviate its burden in animal species and on local and national economies.

How effective is rabies vaccine?

Does the rabies vaccine work? The rabies vaccine works remarkably well. Studies indicate that if the vaccine is given immediately and appropriately to someone who was bitten by a rabid animal, it is 100 percent effective.

Can you vaccinate animals against rabies?

All dogs, cats, and ferrets should be vaccinated and revaccinated against rabies according to product label directions. If a previously vaccinated animal is overdue for a booster, it should be revaccinated.

Why do cats need rabies shots?

Rabies vaccinations are important because cats can become infected from other animals and transmit the fatal disease to humans and other animals. This vaccine is required by law in many states.

How can rabies vaccine be prevented?

Rabies can be prevented by vaccinating pets, staying away from wildlife, and seeking medical care after potential exposures and before symptoms start.

How do animals get rabies?

Pets get rabies by getting bitten by, or coming into contact with the saliva of, an infected animal. Common rabid animals include bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. Once the rabies virus enters the body, it travels to the brain and attacks the nervous system.

Why is it important to vaccinate dogs?

Disease prevention

Having your dog vaccinated can help prevent them from the following diseases: Canine distemper – this fatal disease attacks a dog's nervous system and can lead to severe damage, including paralysis. Puppies and young dogs are more susceptible to this virus.

What happens if you don't vaccinate your dog?

Vaccinations: the basics

Sadly, a lot of the diseases your pet can catch if they aren't vaccinated are fatal in most cases. Even if your pet catches one and is able to recover, they will often be left with long-term problems which can put them through a lot of pain and distress and leave you with some costly vet bills.

What happens if your dog is not vaccinated?

If dogs aren't vaccinated at a young age, they will be vulnerable to diseases such as rabies, canine distemper, hepatitis, canine parvovirus, Lyme disease, canine influenza, leptospirosis, and kennel cough.

What does rabies do to animals?

Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that damages the brain and nerves. The rabies virus spreads in saliva (spit), often through a bite, and can affect any mammal including dogs, cats, ferrets, humans and wild animals. Sadly, rabies is a fatal disease for which there is no cure.

Why is rabies such a big concern?

Primary hosts include bats and skunks

These wild critters are well-established in rural and urban settings alike, and they often come into contact with people and pets. That makes rabies a public-health concern tracked by state and federal agencies.

Can my dog still get rabies even though she is vaccinated?

A currently vaccinated dog, cat, or ferret is unlikely to become infected with rabies. When an exposure has occurred, the likelihood of rabies infection varies with the nature and extent of that exposure.

Is it OK if a vaccinated dog bites you?

Do you have to take vaccination against rabies if a vaccinated dog bites you? No, not if the dog is properly vaccinated against rabies and the efficacy of the vaccine is confirmed by laboratory evidence. Otherwise an appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) should be given.