by Aurora Anne Taylor

Created on: August 17, 2010

Rabies is a horrible disease, causing terrible suffering to infected animals and people.  According to the CDC, death by rabies can cause fever, weakness, insomnia, excessive salivation, varying degrees of paralysis, hallucination, fear of water, confusion, trouble with swallowing, anxiety and headache.  Death comes quickly, usually within days after symptoms begin, but it cannot come soon enough for the victim.  Aside from the suffering caused by the condition, there are several reasons to vaccinate your pets against this horrific, yet preventable scourge.

Rabies law

Rabies law is complex.  There is no blanket nationwide mandate for vaccination, but most states require it.  Counties, cities and towns may also have their own rules and can impose hefty fines for failure to inoculate and license your pet.  13 states that require rabies vaccination have what they call medical exemptions for animals who are not well enough to withstand the shot and legislation is pending in several others due to the efforts of an organization called The Rabies Challenge Fund Charitable Trust.  But most animals can tolerate the vaccine fine and should receive the shot as early as 4 months of age with a 1 year shot and then every 3 years after that.  This is important, because, even if you have an indoor pet, most places to which you may travel will require proof of vaccination.  Some localities may not allow you to enter unless this proof is present. 

Also, if someone is bitten by your animal, that pet will be quarantined or even destroyed to test for the presence of Rabies if you do not have proof of vaccination. What happens to your animal under these circumstances will depend upon where you live or the municipality in which the bite occurred.  A rabies tag can mean the difference between being able to continue on your way, pet in tow, or having your pet confiscated.

Responsibility

Rabies is a very preventable disease.  It is relatively cheap to vaccinate your pets; around 20 dollars or less at special discount vets and clinics.  Inoculation stops the spread of this scourge, which is transmitted from wild animals such as bats, raccoons and foxes to dogs, cats, ferrets, horses and other livestock, to people.  Having a vaccinated pet can also prevent a bite victim from a series of painful and expensive shots.  You owe it to yourself, your pets and your community to take this simple step to stop the cycle of Rabies.

Tracking

Many people don't think about it, but a rabies tag can actually aid in the return of a lost pet to its owner.  Every rabies tag includes information that links your pet to the county that maintains vaccine records and the veterinarian who administered the shot.  The phone number on the tag will  lead anyone who finds your pet back to you.  Some animal control units and shelters may also use the tag to track you down, thus preventing euthanasia.  You can also call the number on your rabies certificate to report your lost pet.

Although there seems to be an increasing movement against all sorts of pet vaccinations due to potential health issues with immunocompromised animals, there really is no excuse not to vaccinate a healthy dog, cat, ferret or horse.  Vaccination insures that your pet, yourself and your friends and neighbors are safe from a condition that does not have to spread.  It provides a sense of peace knowing that you have done everything you can to protect your community and your family, including your furry friends, from an awful disease.  Now go get that vaccine!

Sources:

http://www.dogs4dogs.com/rabies-laws

http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/

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