Like many diseases that are protected by vaccinations, rabies is a major risk to your pet's health. Whether you have a cat or a dog, these vaccines are typically recommended by vets, even if your pet doesn't go outside. If you're not sold on the idea of getting your pet their rabies vaccine or have been putting it off for some reason, here are a few reasons why you should really get it done as soon as possible.
Long-Term Risk
As far as diseases spread by bites and saliva go, rabies is a bit unique. While the disease can impact anyone who is bitten by an infected animal, including other animals, or by sharing food or water supplies with them, it might not seem that way at first. Rabies doesn't always show signs or symptoms early on after being exposed to it. Unfortunately, this leads some pet parents to think that their pet is okay after they've been bitten, figuring that they're not showing any of the tell-tale signs of the disease. However, these symptoms have been shown to sometimes take up to months to appear, so it's not as reassuring for your pet to seem as symptom-free as you might think.
Potential of Spread
Rabies, like some other diseases transmitted via bites, only becomes a risk to other animals once the carrier begins to show symptoms. Once an infected animal begins to behave abnormally from rabies exposure, the disease can be openly and readily spread to other animals, or in extreme cases, even humans. If you share your home with other people and/or pets, they may be at risk too.
Lethality
The great thing about rabies vaccines is that they protect against the very worst of the symptoms of this disease. However, many pet parents don't realize that death is one of those symptoms.
With the exception of a few outlying cases, rabies has been shown to kill nearly every infected animal and person who is exposed to it and doesn't receive medical care. The good news is that the vaccine can prevent this from happening, as can early treatment.
If your pet is overdue for their rabies vaccine, there's no time like the present to get it done. For most animals, a rabies vaccine will provide at least a year's worth of protection. While it's still advisable to get your pet checked out if you suspect that they've been exposed to a rabies carrier, chances are your pet will come home with a clean bill of health.
Rabies is an extremely deadly disease with a nearly 100% kill rate without treatment. By the time symptoms manifest, it's too late. Even if your pet never goes outside, exposure is always a risk, so get your dog or cat vaccinated as soon as you can. To learn more information about pet vaccinations, reach out to a company such as Jones Animal Health Clinic.
Share19 November 2021
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