September 28th is World Rabies Day! This may not be a date that is on your calendar or even on your radar for that matter, but for those of us who work in the animal world, we’ve been aware of it since it began in 2007. Basically, World Rabies day is a global effort designed to inform people of the importance of vaccinating their pets against the rabies virus, in an effort to completely eliminate the disease from affecting humans. You can check out more information here.
While you may not be familiar with World Rabies day, you’ve likely heard of Rabies, especially if you own a pet. The Rabies vaccination is required for all pets and is good for three years. Here in the Northwest we don’t tend to see a lot of rabies cases, unlike other parts of the United States. However, it is still very important to keep your pet’s vaccine updated because we do have wild animals in our region and sometimes they make an appearance in our neighborhoods.
The most common wild animals that are known for carrying the rabies virus are:
- Coyotes
- Racoons
- Skunks
- Bats
- Foxes
If your pet should come in contact with a wild animal that has the rabies virus, your pet will be protected if his vaccination is current. This is the primary reason that domestic pets should be vaccinated; it protects them against possible infection should they ever become exposed to the virus. However, if your pet should be exposed to an infected animal or bitten, it is important to contact your vet right away
SIGNS OF INFECTION
We are often asked what the signs of rabies are in an animal; we’ve all heard the common symptoms of animals foaming at the mouth and acting aggressive. However, oddly enough, wild animals who are infected may act shy and timid when they have the virus, which could be a warning that they may be infected.
What should you do if you come in contact with a wild or stray animal you fear may have rabies? Here are some tips:
- Never pet a stray dog or cat.
- If you see an animal acting strangely (it’s aggressive or tries to bite you), call your local animal control.
- Never touch a wild animal — even if it looks dead.
Remember, rabies is a disease that is 100% preventable. Keeping your pets vaccinated is the best way to not only keep your pet protected but also stop the spread of this very deadly disease. Mark your calendar for September 28th World Rabies Day and make sure your pet’s vaccine is up-to-date!
