Rabies: Vaccinate to Eliminate
This week marks World Rabies Day – but how does that affect you?
If you've got children, World Rabies Day is a great opportunity to teach them how to protect themselves from being bitten or scratched by an animal; how to never touch a sleeping dog; how to never approach a sick looking animal; the importance of telling an adult if they ever do get bitten or scratched. It's a week in which you and your family can learn more about dog body language.
Teach your children about the danger of exposure to bats and other wild creatures. Remember to report any suspicious animals to local animal control immediately.
Animals infected with rabies will act strangely, have trouble walking, and likely aggressive. Be especially watchful of coyotes, bats, foxes, raccoons, and skunks.
It's also a time to check your pets vaccination records; ensure all your pets are up-to-date with their rabies vaccination and other preventatives such as heartworm medications, flea prevention, etc.
At Embrace Veterinary Care, we offer a complete range of services to help you keep your pet's healthy. We are delighted to meet you and look forward to caring for your pets.
Remember, your pet's protection means your family's protection. The United States has been so effective at controlling human rabies due to assuring our dogs, cats and ferrets have been vaccinated for rabies.
Fortunately the USA sees only a handful of human cases a year, however across the globe, human rabies is primarily transmitted by the dog. In the United States, 55,000 people receive post-exposure treatment for possible rabies each year. The guidelines for bites that break the skin include seeking medical care.
Medical doctors are required to report animal to human bites to the authorities and a when deemed necessary, treatment includes a series of 4 post-exposure injections are given over a 2 week period.
Human rabies is 100% preventable through prompt and appropriate medical care. It's the law in Ft. Bend county that all pets must be vaccinated for rabies, registered and restrained in a fenced backyard or on a leash.
If your pet is bitten, scratched or in a fight with any animal listed above, contact Ft. Bend County Health and Human Services at (281) 342-1512.
Shout out to my Ft. Bend county neighbors of Aliana, Long Meadow, Pecan Grove, Pecan Lakes, Bella Terra, McCary Meadows, Woods Edge and Sugarland!
