Vaccinations

Vaccinations help prevent your pet from the most common infectious diseases. It is important to have your pet current on all their vaccinations to ensure their health. Many diseases can be transferred by contact with an infected animal. This can be a wild animal or just another domesticated animal that happens to come in contact with your pet. It is extremely important to vaccinate so that your animal is protected.

As of January 1, 2012, the Rabies vaccination will be required by law.

Pets need to be vaccinated to prevent against rabies.  Rabies is a fatal viral zoonosis and veterinarians believe that all mammals are susceptible to it.  This disease puts the public at risk and prevention measures are urged.  Rabies is transmitted through saliva.   It enters the body of person or pet through an opening in the skin, typically a bite wound.  Other openings in the skin, for example, burns, scratches, ulcerations, scrapes and unhealed surgical incisions provide opportunity for the rabies virus to enter your pet’s body.

Rabies is a disease that is acute.  It creates progressive inflammation of the brain in an animal that has been infected.  Veterinary research has identified that rabies disease is caused by a lyssavirus and that it is the most important lyssavirus throughout the world.  Wild animals living near your home may be infected with the lyssavirus that causes rabies when pets are bitten.  The likely animals in your area probably include skunks, foxes, bats and raccoons.  You’ll want to discuss your pet’s yard and neighborhood environment with your veterinarian to ensure your pet’s safety.