09/29/2025
Yesterday was World Rabies Day, so we would like to take this time to provide some information on rabies.
Rabies is a virus that infects the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). Once symptoms are present, the disease is essentially 100% fatal.
Symptoms include:
- Agitation, aggression, and hyperactivity
- Hypersalivation and difficulty swallowing
- Hydrophobia (fear of water due to difficulty swallowing) and aerophobia (fear of breezes, possibly due to pain)
- Paralysis and/or coma
- Eventual death due to cardiac or respiratory arrest (due to paralysis)
Rabies generally presents with two forms: "furious" and paralytic. Furious rabies presents with the well-known symptoms of aggression, hyperactivity, etc. whereas paralytic rabies typically presents more "calmly" and leads to paralysis.
99% of rabies cases in humans globally are caused by dogs. However, in the United States most rabies cases are due to bats or other wild animals such as raccoons. Rabies in the United States has largely been controlled due to the vaccination of our pets. Rabies cases are more common in other countries due to lack of vaccination of domestic animals, mostly dogs. Rabies kills around 60,000 people globally per year. Be wary of wildlife that seem unfearful of humans or any animal that is otherwise acting oddly.
Rule WAC 246-100-197 states that “an owner of a dog, cat, or ferret shall have it vaccinated against rabies and revaccinated following veterinary and vaccine manufacturer instructions” (Washington State Department of Health). It is very important to vaccinate your pets against rabies, even those that do not go outside. Bats can enter houses quite easily and infect animals and people. Animals, especially cats, can slip outdoors on accident quite easily.
The first rabies vaccine is usually given at 14 to 16 weeks old. It is then given one year later, and every 3 years thereafter.
At our clinic, we require a rabies vaccine for most pets. Working in a clinic presents a high risk for bites, and we cannot risk any staff being exposed to rabies. Rabies vaccinations for humans are much more expensive than they are for pets, as is prophylactic treatment for humans (a series of vaccines given after exposure).
Thank you for keeping your pets vaccinated for rabies!
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