Rabies is a terrible and scary disease that should not be taken lightly. As a pet owner, is important to understand how rabies affects you and your pet. Read on to find out more about rabies.
What is Rabies?
Rabies is a viral infection that travels up the spinal cord to the brain and then starts to replicate in the salivary glands. It is zoonotic disease, which means it can spread from animals to humans. Once clinical signs appear, the disease is almost always fatal. Unvaccinated cats and dogs are highly at risk for contracting rabies.
Is My Pet At Risk For Contracting Rabies?
Yes. Any warm-blooded mammal is at risk and that includes your pet. Even if your pet is mostly or strictly indoors, they are at risk of contracting rabies by infected animals that are able to enter the home and yard such as bats, squirrels, skunks, and raccoons. While a fenced in yard keeps your pet from wandering, it is not an effective means of keeping wildlife out. It is always safe to assume that every pet is at risk for contracting rabies.
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