Rabies- Not a Disease of the Past
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Did You Know? |
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If a person or a pet is bitten by an unknown or unvaccinated animal (dog, cat, or wild animal), the local health department or your veterinarian should be consulted. The animal that bit should be apprehended, if possible, and your veterinarian or local health official should be contacted immediately.
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Did you ever think that your pet's rabies vaccination wasn't all that important? Did you know that if your cat or dog is not current on its rabies vaccination, and a stray or wild animal bites your pet, the County Health Department can, and will, demand that the pet be euthanized or strictly quarantined for six months, and they will not allow them to be quarantined at home? Did you know that if your cat or dog bites someone and it is not current on its rabies vaccination that the County Health Department can demand that the pet be euthanized and tested for rabies? Do you think an indoor only cat has no possible exposure to rabies?
Rabies is a deadly form of viral encephalitis that affects the brain and nerves of mammals. It is most often spread through saliva but it can also be in aerosol droplets that can be inhaled. Rabies is transmitted primarily through bite wounds. Skunks, bats, raccoons, and foxes are the primary carriers. Cats, dogs and cattle account for most of the rabies cases in domestic animals. Rabies is also fatal to humans, as there has been only one case of a person surviving rabies when treatment was started after clinical signs were present. Puppies are vaccinated when three to four months of age and then one year later.
Each state varies in its rabies law, but most states require rabies vaccine every three years for adult pets, and some states still require them annually. We recommend rabies vaccinations even for those cats that live only indoors. It prevents legal and bureaucratic issues in case your cat bites or scratches any visitor. Also, there have been cases where people have found bats inside their house that tested positive for rabies.
Rabies Statistics
1) 55,000 people worldwide die from rabies each year. Most are in Asia and Africa.
2) One person dies from rabies every 10 minutes
3) In the US in 2007, 7000 animal cases of rabies were reported.
4) One to three cases of rabies in people are reported each year in the US.
5) Five years of a canine vaccination program in Mexico reduced human rabies cases in Mexico from 60 per year to less than 20.
6) World Rabies Day is Sept 28. An alliance of US veterinary pharmaceutical companies, the Center for Disease Control, and British organizations are trying to raise awareness of the severity of the rabies problem.
PUPPY CLASSES!
WHO'S READY FOR PUPPY CLASS? Our next puppy classes start Jan. 24th and run through Feb. 28th, total of 6 sessions held every Tuesday evening @ 7:15pm in the lobby and doggie play area at our hospital. All puppies between the ages of 9 weeks and 6 months and those that have had at least 2 sets of vaccines are welcome! Teach your puppy basic obedience skills and commands, bond with your puppy and help them develope important life long social skills. Call or e-mail us for more information and to sign up. All 6 sessions are only $120. Please sign up early registration ends on Jan. 23rd. and space is limited. See you there! The number one reason dogs are given up is due to training or behavioral problems. Get your puppy started on the right foot in 2012!
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Doggie Day Care!
Help your dog beat the boredom blues while you're at work. Dogs enjoy playing and socializing with other dogs. We have indoor and outdoor play areas and can customize the experience for your dog based on your wishes and their individual needs. We also group our daycare dogs with similar sized dogs for fun and safe playtime.
Top Ten Reasons Your Dog Needs Doggie Day Care:
10. Lame meter readers, lawn care and pool service people who don't close gates to your fence.
9. Your dog can tell time and found out your 9-5 became 8-6.
8. A tired dog is a good dog.
7. The cat sent you a text that said he needs his space 3 times a week.
6. Nipping at the contractor's ankles won't help him meet his deadline.
5. Your dog found out speed dating is all the rage.
4. 5 naps a day is overrated.
3. Chasing squirrels with friends is way more fun.
2. Your dog loves to brag to his facebook friends......it's good to be ME!
1. Air conditioned play area, large secure fenced yard, toys, lots of love and good friends..............priceless.
Call Today For More Information! 817-478-8000.