Vaccinations are the safest, most effective way to protect your pet from deadly diseases like rabies. They help your cat or dog build up an immune response so they can fight the disease if they ever get infected. If your pet ever comes into contact with an infected animal, the rabies vaccine will save their life.
The rabies vaccine is part of a pet’s core vaccinations, but the first shot doesn’t last forever. Your pet will also need a booster shot every year to ensure immunity. And because rabies can spread from animals to humans, it’s very important to get your pets vaccinated and to make sure they stay up-to-date on their booster shots.
Rabies Is Deadly, But It Can Be Prevented
Rabies is a highly contagious and fatal disease. It is also a zoonotic disease, which means that it can spread from one species to another. Because it can spread from animals to humans, rabies vaccinations for pets are required by law in most states, including Arizona.
Rabies vaccinations help you protect yourself, your family, and your other pets from this deadly disease. The vaccination and boosters for rabies are the most effective way to ensure it does not spread to others.
How to Recognize Rabies Symptoms
Dogs and cats typically get rabies from encounters with wild animals. This is one of the many reasons we recommend keeping your dog on a leash during walks and hikes and keeping your cat indoors. But even indoor pets need rabies vaccinations because the disease is so contagious.
The rabies virus attacks the central nervous system, and symptoms can occur any time from a few days after exposure to years later. It is commonly spread through saliva, which is why it is so contagious. If your pet has an altercation with another animal that results in a bite, you should bring them to your veterinarian right away.
There are several symptoms to watch out for that point to a rabies infection. If you suspect your pet has rabies, they must be quarantined for the safety of the humans and other pets they have contact with.
Early rabies symptoms include:
- Weakness: If your pet is stumbling when walking, unable to climb stairs, or otherwise too weak for normal activity, bring them to see a vet.
- Fevers: Normal body temperature for cats and dogs ranges between 101º F to 102.5º F. Anything higher than that is considered a fever.
- Headaches: For pets, this can look like avoiding lights and sounds, holding their head low, or even pressing it against a wall or into a corner.
Later symptoms include:
- Delirium: Unusual behaviors, like chasing or snapping at loved ones, barking at known people, wandering aimlessly, and refusing to eat or drink
- Hallucinations: Swiping or biting at the air, barking at empty spaces, running away from nothing
- Hydrophobia: A newfound fear of water
- Insomnia: An inability to sleep
These symptoms are usually followed by coma and death. There is no cure for rabies, which is why rabies vaccinations are so important. You never know when your pet might encounter an infected animal. Keeping them up to date on their vaccinations could save their life.
Rabies Vaccinations for Pets in Gilbert, Arizona
Immunizations are a very important part of veterinary care. At East Valley Animal Hospital, our compassionate team is dedicated to helping all pets live long and healthy lives. If your pet is due for a rabies booster, call us at 480-892-1577 to make an appointment. You’ll be glad you did!
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (8/11/24). Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash.