Why the Rabies Vaccination is SO important...
 

At least in the state of MD. there have been more attacks, and raccoons found in MD. since this...actually they found a dead raccoon 2 blocks away from me a week ago who had rabies....I live near woods so this frightens me...

Second Rabies Case Noted By Health Dept.

Aug. 11, 2005
The year's second confirmed rabies case in the county has been reported by the Environmental Health Services of the Garrett County Health Department. Although there was no human exposure in the incident, the dog involved did not have a current rabies vaccination and will now have to be strictly quarantined and observed for the next six months.

The incident occurred on July 29 when the dog fought and killed a raccoon in the Finzel area. The raccoon was sent to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene rabies laboratory in Baltimore, where positive confirmation for rabies was made four days later.

Because the dog’s last rabies vaccination had expired by a number of years, the owner was given the option of euthanizing the dog or agreeing to undergo a strict six month confinement for the dog. The owner opted for the isolation and constructed the required double-walled, roofed enclosure where the dog will be confined. The dog received a rabies booster vaccination for an addition level of protection before going into confinement.

Health Department personnel will monitor the dog over the next six months to assure compliance of the isolation facility and observe any physical or behavioral changes which may occur in the dog.

"This situation is a harsh reminder of the importance of keeping pets up to date on their rabies vaccination," said Environmental Health Services spokesperson Walter Haydel. "Euthanizing a family pet or having to build an isolation compound for the animal is a hardship which can easily be avoided."

The Health Department has tentatively sponsored a series of low-cost rabies clinics for the third week of September. Pet owners are urged to verify that their pets are up to date on their rabies vaccinations. Dogs, cats and ferrets 3 months and older may be vaccinated against the rabies virus. Maryland law requires that they be vaccinated by 4 months of age. If a pet’s vaccination has expired, the owner is urged to immediately contact a local veterinarian to schedule a vaccination appointment.
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Dec 15, 2005 6:43 pm US/Eastern

Rabies Cases On The Rise In Baltimore

Suzanne Collins
Reporting


(WJZ/AP) Baltimore, MD The number of raccoons and bats with rabies has increased substantially this year, according to the Baltimore City Health Department. State health officials say that lab tests have confirmed rabies in 19 animals in Baltimore City this year, compared to five last year.

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Joshua M. Sharfstein tells Eyewitness News, "Rabies is a horrible, horrible disease, known to be fatal in every person except one."

"There are some animals that really look rabid, but there are other animals with rabies that may not look rabid..and the best approach is not to approach wild animals," Dr. Sharfstein says.

This year, 68 patients have received rabies shots in Baltimore, up from 43 last year. WJZ's Suzanne Collins reports that two city residents are still undergoing weeks of medical treatment after they were attacked by a rabid raccoon.

Collins spoke to James Griffin, a friend of 61-year-old victim Feather Davis. Griffin says the attack occured two weeks ago near his home in West Baltimore, where a racoon was acting strangely during daylight hours.

"The racoon took off ...jumped..went airborne..and caught [Davis] right above the knee, " says Griffin.

Griffin says he reacted quickly to help Davis, using a rock to get the racoon off her pants leg.

Davis was not bitten, but, however, because she came in such close contact with the animal, she received her first vaccine shot Dec. 7 at the city's health department. But when Davis needed a second shot, a scarce and costly antibody serum called human rabies immune globulin (HRIG), she found that the Health Department ran out of the vaccine. HRIG must be given within seven days of the first vaccine shot.

Dr. Sharfstein says such delays are "a very common thing because there's a pretty scarce supply" of HRIG. "I've been in (hospital) emergency rooms that don't have any when a patient is there," he said.

Dr. Sharfstein advises city residents to get rabies shots for their pets. Residents can take their dogs and cats to local, low-cost clinics.

The Health Department also advises parents to tell children not to touch or approach wild animals.

For more information about the city's pet clinics, call 3-1-1.

Good info to know Mont'e! :thumbup:

great post Monet :thumbup:
here is an interesting map of the US and the reported outbreaks through 1997 I believe

http://www.michigan.gov/mda/0,1607,7...1662--,00.html

Wow! Now that is eye opening! Look at the East Coast vs the West Coast!!!!

This shows why it is important to look up the statistics in your area and the important statistic is "canine" cases of rabies, because we have rabid bats in San Diego but there has never been an incident where a dog contracted rabies through a bat in this county so my vet informs me. I believe the map is of "all rabies cases" not just dogs.

My little 4 lb house dogs are never going to be exposed to any wild life who might rabies. Even when I take them camping they are on a leash or in their stroller.

I am afraid to say that if they did get attacked by a rabid animal they probably wouldn't live to worry about rabies or a quarantine. :(

How common is rabies in California?
For the most recent year (1995) which statewide statistics are available, 382 animals and 2 humans were confirmed as having rabies. Confirmed cases of rabies in animals varied in this region: Alpine (0), Amador (1), El Dorado (6), Placer (45), and Sacramento (5). More recently (1998), the El Dorado County Public Health Laboratory tested 124 (mostly dogs, skunks, and bats) for rabies.

http://www.co.el-dorado.ca.us/publichealth/rabies.html

Excellent post, Mone't. Thank you Kimberly for posting that link.

I know that we had a couple of cases of rabid skunks this past summer and if I'm not mistaken, a horse as well. Saw a skunk myself out in broad daylight which is a sure sign. Like I've always stated, for those that have hindering thoughts about these vaccinations should really do a search on how many cases are in your county and make your decisions from there.

Mone't - thank you for posting that - That's really scary !!

As we invade more and more of nature we are bound to see things closer to our homes ....when I see people say "don't vaccinate"...it's such a bad signal to send - I would never take a chance with my girls lives - and I don't go camping or anything - but if I did....I'd be doubly worried.

For now - I just worry about what could come in the yard.

Here Kitty Kitty
 

WOW! Thanks for posting that. Cats are roamers and can easily get into your back yard...that's very scary!

A puppy's first Rabies shot is given when it is 12-18 weeks old. RABIES VACCINES ARE REQUIRED BY MARYLAND LAW. After a dog is 1 year old, a 3 year vaccine is available. Due to the rabies epidemic, we recommend vaccinating your pet every 2 years if it is not a high risk animal. If your pet is used for hunting or allowed to run outside unattended, it is a high risk animal and should have a rabies vaccination every year.
:confused: :eek:

shelbysmom ...SCARY Stuff in your link ! It's the law in Texas too.

Aside from being the law - many groomers will NOT see your pet if you don't show proof of Vaccinations...

Which I think is an excellent practice. You can't be responsible for what some owners and others do or not do. Why risk it? Just don't groom the, I say.

The problem is not just surviving an attack by a rabid animal or even that one's dog may or may not be attacked. In my state if your dog bites someone (human) the police or animal control come out and ask for proof of rabies vacination. Doesn't matter if it's a toy dog or large dog. If your animal is not vacinated then he is 1) quarantined in an animal control facility or 2) put to death so his head can be examined by the state health dept. There is no inbetween. The authorites do not care about your dog! The laws do not care about your dog! The laws are written for the soul protection of HUMANS. They are only concerned about the welfare of humans. So the best thing one can do for their beloved pet is to vacinate him/her against this life threatening disease for his own protection against the very laws written to protect him. In my state only a valid rabies certificate will allow a dog to be quarantined at home if he should bite someone. Otherwise one must be prepared to keep a dog forever quarantined from the public or even from visitors to your home.

Great post!! Thank you! I didn't realize how bad it is until just now. People don't always remember how important it is to keep the shots up to date. You never know what could happen even in your own back yard. Skip vaccinations is big NO NO and I hope people would think twice before they decide not to give their puppy the shots they need.

When I lived in town my neighboors daughter got rabies from a dog bite. she was 11 years old at the time.

Its a law here. Say your dog got out and they find him/her wandering the streets. If their tag (or if they don't have a rabies) isn't up to date on rabies vacs. they take it to the pound. Me personally, I'd rather have the chance of something going wrong with the vaccination than risk my baby getting put to sleep because they get rabies. :(

Rabies Shot
 

I don't know about for dogs, but I remember back in 1997 when I traveled to Ecuador I got a rabies shot. Not only did it hurt like "h e double hockey sticks" but my arm was sore for a whole week. Now, I'm not a needle woos. Before the rabies shot I had a typhoid, cholera, hepatitis, and yellow fever shot...but the rabies shot HURT!! I can only imagine how our little babies feel when they get it done. We live in Jersey...so I guess it's necessary to get????

Really?
 

Wow Megan...thanks for letting me know about Jersey. I kinda thought we had to have the dogs get it, but now I know for sure! Do you know how long they last? On people it's like 7 years...or am I wrong?

Yes, those travel vaccines is the worst. I had to get the hepatitis series when I worked in the Hospital..Now that hurt....

rabies scam links
 

Here is an interesting article. Take from it what you will. People ahve to make their own decisions. I am not against vaccines but my research has shown that one vaccine is enough for life. I also have numerous research sent to me saying that the rabies vaccine is only 50% effective to begin with and any pets that did get the rabies vaccine are the ones that contracted rabies. Also the rabies virus is VERY delicate. If not kept at a certain body temperature...it dies...so your dog has to be bit to contract it. It is very difficut to get it from a dead animal or saliva in the wild because it is not being kept at the correct temperature. I do wonder...how come so many wolves and Coyotes are not found to have rabies? Cats (as there are so many strays) that aren't? These are animals hanging out and killing things in the woods constantly. I am not into RAW feeding or against vaccines...just the over use of them.
Also much research showing that boosters can sometimes null the original vaccine and leave your pet not protected.
Dr. Dodds is doing a study on the effectiveness of one rabies vaccine staying in the body. I can't wait for this study to get done but it will take years. She suggests no rabies vaccine until after 6mo of age and that be it for life (I believe is what she suggests). You can search for her protocol on the web.
I believe my dog's health was GREATLY effected by overvaccinating espcially the parvo and rabies. I spent two years of hell from it. I also have friends (more then one) who's pet started to get seizures after their last vaccine. I do not want to get into an argument and respect people's decisions. I give this link and information to give people an option. I have articles on email from a vets perspective about rabies but I dont' have time to look right now.
Here are quick links I did find: http://www.naturalrearing.com/ARTICL...ABIESSCAM.html
http://www.naturalrearing.com/newsan...n_Protocol.htm
http://www.truthaboutvaccines.org/articles.html
http://www.healthypetjournal.com/def...px?tabid=17929

The groomer I take my dogs to not only wants to see proof of a rabies vaccination but proof of annual vaccines too. :thumbup:

You know all of this research is well and good. And I too believe our pets are over vaccinated. I do not like to give these shots so often either. In my state by LAW I must give the rabies annually. I do and my vet agrees only give other vacinations every three years. and I do not give any vaccinations after the age of about 8 years except rabies.
I think many of you who are AGAINST vaccines especially rabies forget one thing. There are laws which are written to protect the human population! If we do not abide by these laws (in every state) then our pet is at risk of being KILLED not from be bitten by a rabid animal but from the government officials who are sworned to protect humanity! Until we get the laws changed we must continue to protect our pets from not only any possible exposure to a wild rabid animal but also from the government which insists humanity be protected from this terribly fatal disease. My Yorkies have almost zero chance of being bitten by a rabid animal yet I feel I must continue to protect them from humanity! Remember this is JMHO.

Yorkieskater~

Thank you for your post and the citations and Welcome to Yorkie talk!! I am afraid you have not received a very warm welcome and I hope to change that.

I too have been researching vaccines and the controversy and have been trying to educate people on here about where to go to get more info so that they can make an informed decision on what is right for their pet.

The fact is that it is NOT TRUE that any governement official can euthanize you pet just because it is not current on it's rabies vaccine!!! I am so tired of this myth being spread. I have even had vets try to sell me that one and it is absolutely and unequivacally NOT TRUE.

If your dog is caught w/o up to date vaccines and you do not have a written waiver from your vet, you will be issued a citation and you will then have to get a waiver or have your dog vaccinated. You may also have to pay a small fine.

If your dog bites another animal or a person and he is not up to date on his rabies vaccine then your dog will be quarantined IN YOUR HOME in 99% of the cases for a period of time, usually two to six months and he will be required to have a vaccination. If, and only if, he is discovered to have rabies, will he be euthanized.

I have a waiver for all of my dogs from my vet and I have owned dogs for my entire life and have never been asked to show proof of rabies. I carry the waiver just in case I do. My dogs are not a risk to the human population.

Yes, they can, you are so wrong on this matter..do you research if you cannot prove to the authorities that your dogs aren't rabid, after somone complains, or they have bitten a child...then they will go into quarantine for 60 days, or they will euthenize your dog for public safety! As a lawyer, I would think you would know this....
§ 18-319. Responsibilities of veterinarian

(a) A licensed veterinarian who vaccinates a dog, cat, or ferret against rabies:


(b) The information in the rabies vaccination record that a licensed veterinarian keeps may not be used:
§ 18-320. Quarantine

(a) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, an apparently healthy dog, cat, or ferret that has been adequately vaccinated against rabies in accordance with § 18-318 of this subtitle or any other animal that bites a human or otherwise exposes a human to rabies shall be quarantined as provided in subsection (b) of this section.

(b) An animal under quarantine shall be quarantined in a place, which may include the residence of the owner, in the manner designated by the local health officer or the public health veterinarian for a suitable period as determined by the health officer or the public health veterinarian.

(c)(1) At any time during the quarantine period, the public health veterinarian or local health officer may order the owner of a biting animal to have the animal monitored for rabies by a licensed veterinarian.

(2) The owner of the animal shall pay for the cost of any examination or other associated cost.

(d) An animal under quarantine may not be moved from the place of quarantine without the written permission of the local health officer or public health veterinarian.

(e) The public health veterinarian or local health officer or the designee of the public health veterinarian or local health officer may order the immediate and humane destruction of a biting animal for rabies testing if:

(1) It is necessary to preserve human health;

(2) A licensed veterinarian determines that a quarantined animal is inhumanely suffering; or

(3) The animal is considered wild and is not claimed by an owner within 24 hours.
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1. What is Rabies?

Rabies is a deadly disease that is caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system.

2. What animals may be affected by Rabies?

All mammals (warm blooded, furred animals) can be affected by the rabies virus, but it occurs most often among wildlife species, such as, bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. Unvaccinated dogs, cats, and livestock may also get rabies. Rabbits, squirrels, opossums, rats, mice, guinea pigs, gerbils, hamsters, chipmunks, and muskrats almost never get rabies.


1. What is Rabies?

Rabies is a deadly disease that is caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system.

2. What animals may be affected by Rabies?

All mammals (warm blooded, furred animals) can be affected by the rabies virus, but it occurs most often among wildlife species, such as, bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. Unvaccinated dogs, cats, and livestock may also get rabies. Rabbits, squirrels, opossums, rats, mice, guinea pigs, gerbils, hamsters, chipmunks, and muskrats almost never get rabies.

3. Do birds or snakes get rabies?

No. Birds, fish, snakes, turtles, lizards, and insects do not get rabies.

4. How do people become exposed to rabies?

Since rabies lives in the saliva of the rabid animals, a bite is the most common way the disease is spread. People may also become exposed to rabies by being scratched by a rabid animal or when the saliva gets into open wounds in the skin, or in the eyes, nose, or mouth.

5. Can I get rabies just by touching or petting a rabid animal? (I wasn’t scratched or bitten by it.)

There is no danger in touching or petting a rabid animal unless saliva from that animal gets into an open wound, or your eyes, nose, or mouth. If this happens, you should see your doctor immediately.

6. Can I get rabies by being near a rabid animal or where the rabid animal has just been (for example, a bat in the room, a raccoon in the back yard, barn, or chimney)?

No. Exposure to rabies occurs by being scratched, bitten or by having saliva come to contact with an open wound, or the eyes, nose, or mouth. Just being in the same room or in the same vicinity does not result in exposure.

7. Can I get rabies by touching my dog or cat that has been in a fight with a raccoon?

If you do not handle, pet, touch or examine your dog or cat within the first 2 hours following the fight there is no danger of getting rabies. If you do handle your pet within 2 hours of a fight, be sure to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water and then contact your doctor or local health department for advice.

8. What are the symptoms of rabies in an animal?

Symptoms of rabies may vary widely from animal to animal. In any animal, the first symptom is usually a change in behavior. The animal either becomes unnaturally withdrawn or unnaturally approachable. In the furious form, the animal is excited, aggressive, irritable, and may snap at anything in it’s path. It loses all caution and fear of natural enemies. If the animal has the dumb form of the disease, it may appear unusually tame, affectionate, and friendly. Staggering, paralysis, and foaming at the mouth are sometimes noticed. Many animals have a change in the sound of their voice.

9. What should I do if I think my dog or cat, or farm animal has rabies?

Consult a veterinarian and report to your local health department if any person has been bitten or exposed (see question 4) to the suspect animal. Be sure to keep the animal confined until it can be examined by a veterinarian. Try not to expose yourself or other people.

10. What should I do if I see a stray dog, cat or wild animal that I think may have rabies?

Do not feed, pet, or handle any stray or wild animal. Keep your own animals from coming in contact with it. Capture the animal, if possible, without risking exposure (see question)

For example, if the raccoon is in the garage, close all doors and windows. Then call your local animal control agency for further instructions.

11. What should I do if I find a dead animal on my property?

If there has been human or animal exposure, contact your local health department for instructions. If there has been no human or animal exposure, the animal may be buried. If it is necessary to touch the animal, gloves should be worn. An easy way to handle the animal is to stick your hand into a garbage bag, grab the animal by the hind leg through the garbage bag and pull the bag over the animal and tie it shut. Bury the animal at least 3 feet deep, or dispose of it through your local animal control agency. Do not throw it out along a road, or in a woods or field.

12. How can I protect my dog or cat against the threat of rabies?

All dogs and cats should be vaccinated against rabies by a veterinarian. Maryland law requires all dogs and cats over 4 months of age to be vaccinated against rabies by a veterinarian.

13. How long are rabies vaccinations for my dog or cat good?

For dogs or cats the first shot is only good for one year. The next shot (second) is good for one or three years depending on the vaccine used. The rabies certificate should give the expiration date of your dog’s or cat’s shot.

14. What is the earliest age I can begin to have my dog or cat vaccinated against rabies?

The first shot may be given at three months of age. Twelve months later a second shot must be given to complete the primary vaccination series.

15. Will it hurt to vaccinate my dog or cat more often than required, such as every year though the rabies vaccination is good for three years?

Although not necessary, it will not harm your animal.

16. What other animals can be vaccinated against rabies?

There are no rabies vaccines approved for any wildlife species (such as raccoons, skunks, foxes, and ferrets). Your veterinarian has vaccines that are approved for horses, cows, and sheep.

17. What should I do if my dog, cat, or farm animal has been exposed to a wild animal that I think may have rabies?

The wild animal should be captured or killed, being careful not to damage the head, and submitted for rabies testing through your local health department. You should be careful not to get be bitten by or exposed to the wild animal (see question 4). Assistance may be available through your local animal control agency.

18. If the wild animal is positive for rabies, what should I do with my dog, cat, or farm animal?

If a dog, cat, or farm animal has a current rabies vaccination, the animal must be boostered immediately by a veterinarian and restricted for 90 days. If the animal has no rabies vaccination, or if the vaccination is not up to date, you must either destroy your dog or cat or hold it in strict isolation for 6 months in a manner approved by the local health department. Farm animal exposures are managed by the Department of Agriculture.

19. What should I do if I am bitten, scratched, or exposed (see question 4) by an animal?

a. Capture the animal if possible. If the animal is wild, try to capture or kill it without risking further bites. Try not to damage the animal’s head.

b. Immediately wash the wound with plenty of soap and water, scrubbing the bitten area gently. If the animal is a cat, dog or farm animal, attempt to obtain the owner’s name, address, and telephone number.

c. Get prompt medical attention. Call your family doctor or go to the nearest emergency room.

d. Report the incident to the police, sheriff, or animal control agency.

20. What will be done to the animal that bit (or exposed) me to find out if it has rabies?

If it is a dog, cat, or farm animal, it will be quarantined for 10 days, according to the order of the local health department to find out if it had rabies at the time it bit you. If it is a wild animal, it will probably be destroyed and the head submitted for testing to the laboratory.

21. If I am bitten by or exposed to a rabid animal, what kind of rabies preventive treatment will I receive?

When treated in time, rabies can be prevented. After a person is bitten by an animal with rabies, a doctor must be contacted immediately and anti-rabies treatment begun. Once symptoms of rabies appear, the disease almost always causes death.

22. If rabies is in my neighborhood, should I get vaccinated against rabies?

Generally speaking, no. The pre-exposure vaccine is only recommended for certain high risk groups. There are people who regularly handle animals and, therefore, may be at high risk of exposure to animals. High risk groups include: veterinarians and veterinary staff, animal control workers, trappers, and raccoon hunters.

23. What can I do to reduce my chances of getting rabies?

a. Be sure to vaccinate your dog and cat and keep it up to date. Maryland law requires all dogs and cats over 3 months of age to be vaccinated against rabies. Vaccines are available to both cats and dogs which are effective for 3 years after the primary series (two shots twelve months apart)in Maryland other states have different regulations.

b. Restrict your pets to house and yard and walk them on a leash. Roaming pets are more likely to be exposed to rabies than those supervised by their owners. Dogs are required by law to be controlled on a leash whenever off the owners property in some localities.



So, I don't know the law where you are..but for here I do and I will follow it..to secure my pets health and safety of all kind!

VERY good post Megan - :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

This actually just happened to a friend - her yorkie was gone for 2 days - and I can just bet he's up to date on his shots...We never know what could happen and it's better to be safe than sorry.

I bet she never thought she'd have her yorkie missing and wandering around for 2 days....that could happen to any of us. I'd WAY rather know my girls are protected.

I'm sure valid arguments can be made in both, pros and cons regarding vaccinations. I, for one, have had dogs all my life and not one has ever missed a vaccination. BUT, I do believe there are different dogs who have different circumstances. I almost lost my healthy, vibrant, little puppy to a distemper shot last week. She came within minutes of living or dying just 10 minutes after leaving the Vets office, I was still on the ride home when she became violently ill and had to drive like a manic to get her back to the office. First time I've seen my Vet break a sweat! No, I won't be standing silently on the side being so compliant about something that can kill her. I may not be so lucky next time.

The law you cited applies to animals that have been VACCINATED as well as those who have not, so having the rabies vaccine does not prevent these potential consequences if it bites someone which was the point I made.

A government official cannot euthanize your pet just because it not current on it rabies vaccine.

I know where I live, by law you have to have an annual vaccine for dogs and cats and animals are required to wear their id tags AT ALL TIMES. If an animal bites someone, they hold it for 10 days, only if it is what they consider a 'non-vicious' breed. 'Vicious' breeds are euthanized. I do know that there is no mandatory holding period for animals picked up (strays or loose) if they do not have the proper id. I don't know if it's like 3 strikes, you're out if your dog bites X number of times, but I would think that would deal more with the ferocity of the dog rather than possibility of rabies? Anyway, I know it is law here and did call out of curiosity to see if a waiver from a vet was acceptable and they said, 'no.' I left it at that because even so, I will get the shot for our pooches, merely for the wildlife factor here. :)

Villette:

When I've gone to the vet to get my babies' health certificate in order to fly on a plane, I was told by the vet that what the airline/admittance state is looking for is that the pup has had its rabies shot.

I know in Louisiana, rabies is a must.

Lisa