An Animal Hospital Serving Maryland

Rabies Vaccinations are crucial for pets and for their owners. We believe that a rabies vaccination is the single most important thing you can do to protect your family and your pet.

Rabies is a disease that can be passed quite easily from animals to people. Of all the pet vaccinations available, this has a duel responsibility. Pet and owner protection. Sure, it has been the subject of so many novels and movies that it can be difficult to separate fact from fiction. Here's the fact, if caught early enough in humans, rabies can be treated with a series of very painful injections, otherwise, there is no cure for it. It can kill.

No pet vaccination schedule is complete without this vaccine, especially if your pet is free roaming and may come in contact with the local wildlife. Even if your pet stays indoors it's still a good idea.

Here are 5 Clues that you need this.

• You live in the suburbs and your home has dog doors. Gators can use doggie doors, why wouldn't a raccoon?
• You have seen racoons, squirrels and chipmunks around your home
• Your home sits in the middle of urban sprawl that was once the turf of foxes and coyotes.

About Rabies and Rabies Vaccinations

Rabies is caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. It can infect all warm-blooded animals, including people. As we said, it is almost always fatal, having no cure. In the United States, human cases of rabies are rare, with only a few showing up each year. The risk is still present though, since rabid animals are found in most states. Dog vaccinations packages should always include this as a core component, along with heartworm medication. It's an important part of any veterinary services package a Pet Hospital may provide.

Rabies vaccinations for dogs may be administered at dog shelters, adoption facilities and pet hospitals among other places. There are low cost pet vaccinations available but, does it really matter the cost?

What are some rabies symptoms? How Is It Spread?

More than 90% of reported cases of rabies today in the U.S. occur in wild animals. The species most likely to carry rabies include raccoons, skunks, foxes, bats, and coyotes. Even though rats have been targeted as a major source of rabies in fictional stories, they are actually very unlikely to harbor the disease. The number of cases in domestic animals is small but still represents a significant risk, since people are more likely to come into physical contact with them.

Animals with rabies often exhibit drastic behavioral changes. Some wild animals may act friendly or overly aggressive towards people. They may appear groggy and disoriented. Pets may act fearful or agitated. Some other symptoms may include excessive salivation, difficulty swallowing, lack of coordination, and paralysis.

Unfortunately for pets, many of these symptoms may be indications of other diseases or illnesses and the only accurate tests for rabies in animals are performed postmortem. Animals, pets or otherwise, suspected of rabies are euthanized rather than treated, because there is no cure.

Rabies is usually transmitted via the saliva as a result of a bite from an infected animal. The virus enters the nerves near the site of infection, and travels through the nervous system to the brain over a period of weeks or months. Because of this lengthy period before the symptoms, many cases may go unnoticed before it is too late. A bite from an infected bat may seem insignificant and may even heal before the virus reaches the brain. This is also the time when the saliva becomes infectious.

There is no cure for this deadly disease but fortunately, it can be prevented. Rabies vaccinations are the pest gifts we can give our pets and ourselves.