Ask the Vet About Rabies in Dogs and Cats

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Lindsay Butzer, DVM
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Dr. Lindsay Butzer
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Lindsay Butzer, DVM
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Dr. Lindsay Butzer
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Showing 1 - 15 of 36
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01
DateOct 1, 2022
CategoryRabies
Pet TypeDog
TopicVaccine Laws
Question:

Is an exam required by law in order for my pet to get their rabies vaccine?

Answer:

In most states: Administration by a veterinarian is required by law - whether they charge for and do an exam is up to them.

02
DateSep 2, 2022
CategoryRabies
Pet TypeDog
TopicRabies In Dogs
Question:

Rabies In Dogs is the most common diseases. What to do If we see any underlying health issue in pet?https://petarenapro.com/rabies-in-dogs/

Answer:

I'm not sure what your actual question is about this, but here is a direct link to our article about rabies: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/rabies-symptoms-dog-cat-50.html

03
DateApr 16, 2022
CategoryRabies
Pet TypeDog
TopicRabies suspected
Question:

Do I have to put my dog down if she has rabies

Answer:

This is always a really tough situation and honestly the laws vary so wildly from state to state, you will need to consult your local veterinarian for the best advice.

04
DateDec 23, 2021
CategoryRabies
Pet TypeDog
TopicRabies Vac.
Question:

how could i get vac. so I could inject my dog I'm scared to go to vet. because of the civid 19. Please Help with any advice.

Answer:

Legally a veterinarian must administer the Rabies vaccine. This varies a little from state to state, so check to be sure in your particular state.

05
DateDec 7, 2021
CategoryRabies
Pet TypeDog
TopicEmergency Treatment of Unvaccinated Dog
Question:

If my dog has not received his rabies booster (and won't be due to health complications), are veterinarians still able to provide medical services? What about emergency services? Or would it jeopardize the vet's license.

Answer:

All states are very different, then individual veterinarian have different protocols so contact your local veterinarian for the best advice.

06
DateMay 6, 2021
CategoryRabies
Pet Typenull
TopicVaccine
Question:

Can I give injection at home I have phlebotomy training

Answer:

It will always be more ideal for your veterinarian to give your dogs vaccines for a lot of reasons: (1) They can determine exactly which ones your dog needs and the appropriate interval - depends on many variables like where you live and your dogs lifestyle - undervaccinating and overvaccinating can both be harmful (2) A good physical exam every year is far more beneficial that any vaccine for most dogs - it also helps determine if your dog is healthy enough to vaccinate, which is important (3) Improper technique can cause problems like abscesses (4) Rabies is required by law, in most states, to be given by a veterinarian - I see now that you filed this under the "Rabies" category, so I'll end with that

07
DateMar 3, 2021
CategoryRabies
Pet Typenull
TopicVaccination
Question:

My 2+ year old outdoor cat is due for his yearly Rabies vaccine, our vet cannot see him for 3 weeks. Will he be ok going outside since he will be overdue for his booster?

Answer:

Legally I am supposed to say No, he should not go outside. Immunologically though, he should be protected (especially if this will be his 3rd Rabies shot).

08
DateJan 18, 2021
CategoryRabies
Pet Typenull
TopicCat found with rabid bat 4 months ago
Question:

My cat was found in my house with a rabid (was sent and tested) bat on Sept 15, 2020. He was 11 months old (roughly he is a rescue) at the time and had his first rabies shot on Jan 21, 2020 at the rescue. I am unsure if he bit the bat or the bat bit him but he was revaccinated on Sept 19, 2020. We kept him in quarantine for 45 days after the exposure. My question is how long do I worry about him developing rabies? I’ve read they can still develop it up to a year later. I have a daughter who he has playfully bitten 12/21/20 and scratched 1/12/21. Could he transmit her rabies? This is becoming so consuming and worrisome to me I don’t know if I am overreacting. The cat appears healthy and fine. If he does scratch or bite and is still alive 10 days later are we safe from rabies?

Answer:

He is probably fine since he was vaccinated but since you cannot be 100% sure ever, it is best for him to stay away from your daughter if he engages in that kind of play with her. Contact your pediatrician for what you should do about the 12/21 bite and the 1/12 scratch. It can take up to a year from the time of the initial bite before symptoms begin to show. (In dogs, typical incubation periods are 21-80 days. In cats, it's 28-42 days.)

09
DateOct 22, 2020
CategoryRabies
Pet Typenull
TopicRabbies
Question:

Hello. I recently rescued a dog and we don't know if she's had her Rabies vaccine. She is 4 yrs old. Is there a way of knowing if she did? Would it be safe to give her one if she already had it? We don't know anything about her other than her age. Will her age run a higher risk of side effects? Thank you

Answer:

If she has a microchip, the same veterinarian may have given her a Rabies vaccine so have her checked for a microchip, but that would be the only way of knowing. All vaccines can have potential side effects, so it is not ideal to double-vaccinate BUT the risk of exposure to her (and your family) is too risky, so yes, we end up vaccinating these dogs.

010
DateOct 10, 2020
CategoryRabies
Pet Typenull
TopicShots
Question:

My little yorkie got her rabies today. I'm a little worried about her. She has been throwing up and has some diarrhea as well. I know in the past she has definitely thrown up after shots. She sounds like she is breathing a little heavier than usual and kind of wheezy. She was running around and acting normal earlier. Now she just wants to lay around and is acting strange. I have her in bed with me now and keeping an eye on her. She is also shaking as well. Is this all normal?

Answer:

No - that is not normal. Have the veterinarian that gave the vaccine recheck her - if they are closed, going to the emergency clinic is ideal.

011
DateJun 10, 2020
CategoryRabies
Pet Typenull
TopicRabies/Vaccination
Question:

What if a 1month old puppy without vaccination accidentally bites you while feeding them, it's like a scratch but the puppy was not showing signs that it has rabies and the puppy was not an stray dog, and the wound that happens was not deep, it bleeds super little just like it bleeds for just 2seconds and there was no mark that left on finger, And you wash it asap and pour some alcohol on it and it doesn't feel that it has wounds, does it has rabies?

Answer:

You shouldn't need to worry in this case but contacting your physician is always ideal.

012
DateJun 10, 2020
CategoryRabies
Pet Typenull
TopicRabies shots
Question:

How often do the dogs have to get shot for rabies

Answer:

The first Rabies vaccine they get, their immune system can only recogonize for 1 year, then very close to one year later they can get a 3 year Rabies. This varies a little by state laws - some states may require it more often.

013
DateJun 3, 2020
CategoryRabies
Pet TypeDog
TopicVaccinations needed at three yeard
Question:

My five pound Cocapoo needs a rabies vaccination. He also needs vaccinated for a regular visit. Thank you,, Augusta Collins. 812-777-9169

Answer:

In most states a veterinarian must administer the Rabies vaccine, so contact a veterinarian in your area for help getting those vaccines.

014
DateMay 25, 2020
CategoryRabies
Pet TypeDog
TopicRabies transmission
Question:

This is a follow up question. You said the vaccine might not be on boarded in 3 days to protect him and transmission is possible. My understanding is once transmission is possible he is in a 10 day 'quarantine' window and will be dead within 10dys so I would know he transmitted to me. The vaccine would not stop the window would it?

Answer:

The vaccine would not stop the window would it?" No, a vaccine would do nothing to "stop transmission" - that's not what a vaccine does, but again, it is exceedingly rare. As far as quarantining, that is really variable by state so you'll have to ask your local veterinarian.

015
DateMay 25, 2020
CategoryRabies
Pet TypeDog
TopicRabies transmission
Question:

There was a clerical error and my dog was out of date with rabies vaccine. He received the 1st shot good for a year on Thursday. He licked an open wound on my hand Sunday 3 days later. For sake of argument if he did have the rabies virus would the initial vaccine 3 days earlier prevent him from developing symptoms when he licked my wound? If so nothing to worry about. If not and he could have transmitted the virus to me the day he licked my wound could the vaccine prevent him from dying during the final 10 days and I not know he gave me the virus?

Answer:

The Rabies vaccine 3 days earlier may not be fully on-board to protect him, so transmission is possible, BUT Rabies is VERY rare so this is highly unlikely.

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