Vaccinations | Rabies in Dogs

Nov 10, 2020

[vc_row][vc_column][trx_section box=”yes”][trx_title align=”center” color=”#d9ae4c” weight=”700″]

Vaccinations

[/trx_title][trx_title align=”center” color=”#d9ae4c” weight=”700″]

Rabies in Dogs

[/trx_title][trx_title type=”4″ align=”center” color=”#434544″ weight=”700″ bottom=”mini”]by Dr. Eileen Savier CVA, CVCH[/trx_title][vc_column_text]

It IS Out There

Rabies continues to have the highest mortality rate of any know infectious agent. Ebola and Lassa fever have a mortality rate of 50-90%, Rabies is still virtually 100% fatal, despite reports of a recent human survivor and continuing attempts to treat infected individuals. The global burden of Rabies continues to be associated with transmission among domestic dogs, mainly in Asia and Africa. Threats to humans and domestic animals in the USA was reduced several decades ago by eliminating dog-to-dog spread. This was done by vaccination and reduction of stray populations. There is still transmission among wildlife and why continued vaccination of canine and feline companion animals is still required by law. Reports of animal rabies in North American have decreased from over 20,000 a decade ago to approximately 10,000 (85% of cases occur in the United States).This trend reflect the recent success in canine rabies control in Mexico and a decline in cases in Canada due to oral rabies vaccination of red foxes. There are many variations of rabies virus in wildlife species and they constitute an ever present risk of exposure. Human and animal trade and contact with bats maintain the global risk of rabies.

The Rabies Virus

Rabies describes an acute fatal disease of the nervous system cause by viruses in the genus Lyssavirus. Rabies virus is transmitted through bite wounds. The virus can cause unique behavior changes that may favor transmission. The virus could cause an adult animal to sound like a young animal to attract other animals. In particular those of the same species may be likely to investigate. In a study 13 of 264 rabid dogs and 22 of 840 cats had histories of having received 2 rabies vaccines in their lifetime. These results suggest that rabies is uncommon in vaccinated dogs and cats but can occur. It is important ant to continue to vaccinate against rabies and monitor for vaccine failure.

Initial signs of the virus are nonspecific and may include lethargy, inappetence, diarrhea, and vomiting. The changes are drastic and quickly progressive. Since rabies virus attacks the nervous system there may be irritation or weakness at the site of initial infection even if the wound is healed. The incubation period varies from 10 days to several months, sometimes no changes are noted. Once the pet starts showing clinical signs start pets are usually euthanized or die within 24 hours to 7 days.

The Compendium of Animal Rabies Control is updated and published annually. It is the guiding document on animal rabies control in the USA. Although no vaccine is 100% effective, rabies vaccines are licensed only when a majority of vaccinated test group animals survived a lethal rabies challenge. The greatest risks for rabies in a vaccinated animal occurs:

  1. When the vaccine coverage is expired
  2. When the animal is young and has received only a single injection
  3. When a severe exposure has occurred
  4. When the potential exposure is not recognized, no primary care is given, and no post exposure booster vaccination is given.

Although a Rabies titer can be done it is used as an additional means to ensure that in addition to proof of vaccination that an animal can travel to a rabies free country. It is not proof that your pet can survive if exposed to rabies and it is not an acceptable document to provide if your pet bites or scratches another person. Follow your veterinarians recommendations on vaccinating for all infectious diseases![/vc_column_text][/trx_section][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1533135180690{margin-top: 40px !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1533134942241{background-color: #d9ae4c !important;}”][trx_title type=”2″ align=”left” color=”#f6f2e4″ left=”20″ right=”20″]About Dr. Eileen Savier[/trx_title][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1533135315368{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”]Dr. Eileen SavierBarks & Recreation is proud to feature Dr. Eileen Savier CVA, CVCH as our Veterinary Blogger in our “From the Vet” Series. Currently part of the team of doctors at Keystone Veterinary Clinic, Dr. Savier is a 2012 Graduate of the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, She completed her clinical experience at The Ohio State University and after veterinary school she pursued further education and certification in Veterinary Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, and Fear Free veterinary visits. Dr. Savier has a special interest in integrative medicine, animal behavior, and internal medicine and is committed to improving animal health care by integrating Eastern and Western philosophies. She enjoys working with fearful & aggressive dogs and cats and she has had additional training in low stress handling techniques and encourages positive reinforcement during exams and procedures. Her clinical interests include pain management, animal behavior, geriatric patient care, and internal medicine. Dr. Savier is a member of the following associations:

Dr. Savier shares her home with two (soon to be three) dogs, two cats, and a toddler. She lovingly refers to her two dogs as Coconut Retrievers as they were rescue dogs she brought home from the island of St. Kitts. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, going to the beach, and planning her next Disney vacation.

Join us every month for Dr. Savier’s “From the Vet” series to get more information related to the health and welfare of your furry family members![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]