The importance of rabies shots and vaccinations – Sentinel and Enterprise

DEAR PET TALK: Why is a rabies shot important? – Crazy About Cats

DEAR CRAZY ABOUT CATS: The shot is important because it protects your pet from death: any household pet who has contact with wildlife who carries the disease will die. Yes, that’s grim news, but the good news is that the rabies vaccine works. The bad news is that wildlife – and domestic animals – test positive for rabies every year.

According to Mass.gov’s website: “Since 1992, more than 5000 animals have tested positive for rabies in Massachusetts.”

Even though the majority of these cases occur in wild animals – like raccoons, skunks, woodchucks, foxes and most notably bats – farm animals and pets (especially cats) also get rabies.

Massachusetts law requires puppies and kittens to be vaccinated by six months of age (also ferrets). When you adopt your pet from a shelter, you know the pet is vaccinated.

According to Dr. Ashley Raymond, Second Chance Animal Services Medical Director: “This vaccine not only keeps your pets safe but also helps prevent the spread of this dangerous disease. This law is in place to help protect humans from contracting the disease, which leads to death if not addressed promptly.”

If you do not get your pet from a shelter, where rabies vaccinations are mandatory, get them a rabies shot immediately. And no, you can’t tell from looking at a pet whether they’ve contracted the disease.

Do understand that rabies is a vicious killer: Symptoms may take up to a month, and may include fever, seizures, lack of coordination or paralysis, behavioral changes (shyness or aggression) and more.

“Rabies is a deadly virus that affects both humans and animals, with most mammals susceptible to infection,” adds Dr. Raymond. “If an unvaccinated pet contracts rabies, it almost always leads to death.”

Keep your pet healthy by making a reservation for your pet at the next Jeffrey P. Stephens Low-Cost Vaccine Clinic. It will be held next on Saturday, April 13, from 9 to 12 pm at Fitchburg Fire Department, 33 North St.  Open to pet owners in all towns. Call 508-637-1333 to make a reservation or visit secondchanceanimals.org. One and three-year rabies shots available.The Clinic is sponsored by Second Chance Animal Services and made possible in part by a grant from the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts.

Sally Cragin is the Director of  Be PAWSitive  Therapy Pets and Community Education. Send questions to sallycragin@gmail.com