Day & Evening Pet Hospital

Veterinarian Palm Harbor

Call: 727-785-7200
511 Magnolia Ave
Palm Harbor, FL 34683

What Really is Rabies?

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Most pet parents know that rabies is bad and that it can create “killer animals,” mainly from movies or maybe the news.  But what is it, really?  And why is it so bad?

Rabies is a very deadly disease that essentially ATTACKS the nervous system of your pet.

Only mammals can get rabies.  Most cases of rabies occur in wild animals–this means if your pet is an outdoor pet he or she is at extreme risk!  Wild animals include (but are not limited to) skunks, coyotes, foxes and raccoons.  The rabies virus is spread by a bite from an infected animal (the bite is actually not the deadly part–it’s the saliva of the infected animal).

This is how an infected animal’s bite can also spread and act deadly to humans.  Just like other diseases, if an animal infected with rabies gets their saliva on an open cut, in your eyes, nose or mouth it’s possible to also contract the disease.

Rabies is considered fatal as soon as the outward signs are present.  The most common signs of your pet having the rabies disease are (remember this disease literally ATTACKS the nervous system):

  • behavioral changes
  • unexplained paralysis
  • paralysis in the jaw
  • foaming at the mouth
  • disorientation

The importance of vaccinating against this disease cannot be overstated as it is a 100% preventable disease.

World Rabies Day is on September 28th to raise awareness of this disease.  Make sure your pets are vaccinated and spread the word!

World Rabies Day

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September 29th has been deemed World Rabies Day!

We want to raise awareness on Rabies.

Rabies is a deadly disease that is transferrable to humans.  It’s a deadly virus.  The most common way it is given to a pet is through a bite wound from another infected animal.  It can also be spread through infected body fluids (such as gums or eyes) but this is less common.

This virus affects the nervous system of your pet which is what makes it is so deadly.  With VERY few exceptions, death is the only outcome of this virus for pets.

If your dog or cat is an outside pet, they are more at risk.  Animals such as skunks, raccoons and bats can carry this disease.  They are some of the most common animals with rabies.

There is a way to prevent this disease in the case your pet would get bitten.  We carry rabies vaccinations to protect your pet from this disease!  This can be a yearly vaccination or you can get a 3-year protective vaccine.  This preventative is very important to get not only for your pet, but for your family as well because your pet can pass it on.  Rabies poses as a public health threat due to how contagious it is.

If your pet hasn’t received a rabies vaccination, please come to our pet hospital and speak with one of our highly trained veterinarians.

World Rabies Day

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This year, September 28th is World Rabies Day.

Rabies is a virus that affects the nervous system of your pet.  Rabies is spread by getting bitten from another infected animal.  The most common form of transmission is through a wild animal such as a skunk, raccoon, fox or coyote.  Additionally, if a domesticated pet received a bite from a wild animal and then was in contact with your pet, your pet would also be susceptible to the virus.  Dogs, cats, cattle and horses are all susceptible to the rabies virus.

Rabies is a fatal virus for your pet.

Some symptoms for dogs and cats:

  • fever
  • seizures
  • paralysis
  • abnormal changes in attitude
  • can’t swallow

Rabies is also a dangerous virus for us humans.

With all of that said, it is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to get your pet vaccinated against this virus.

Here is an informative video we found on the internet which helps bring up awareness on Rabies for World Rabies Day:

Protect your pet and your family from this deadly virus.  Get your pet vaccinated today.  We provide Rabies shots that last 1 year and 3 years.  A 1-year vaccination is $15 and a vaccine that remains good for 3 years is only $30.  Call and make an appointment today!

Did You Know? Re: Rabies

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September 28th is World Rabies Day.  We thought we’d give you a quick lowdown on what rabies is to raise awareness.

Rabies is a deadly disease.  It’s a disease that can transfer from animal to human via the saliva of an infected animal.  It’s known for spreading through a bite wound, but it can be spread through a scratch or open wound as well.

Literally any mammal can be carrying the rabies virus; however, reportedly the most common ones are foxes, skunks, bats and raccoons.  This is important to know for those pet owners who have outdoor pets or keep their pets in their backyard.

The general symptoms of the deadly rabies virus are:

  • extreme behavioral changes
  • aggression
  • fever
  • hypersensitivity to touch
  • disorientation
  • foaming at the mouth
  • paralysis

The rabies virus is untreatable at this time. So, prevention is extremely key.

It is a Florida state law for your pet to get a rabies vaccination.  It’s a law not only because it’s an extremely important preventative measure for your pet, but it’s also a safety guarantee for yourself, your friends and family and any other animals around your pet.

Take the time this month to ensure your pet is up-to-date on his or her rabies vaccination (go ahead and ensure they are up-to-date on all vaccines).  All are important preventatives to help let your pet have a healthy, loving and fun life with you and your family.

 

Rabies In Dogs

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The definition of Rabies is simply this:

  • An acute, infectious, and often fatal viral disease of most warm-blooded animals, especially wolves, cats, and dogs, that attacks the central nervous system and causes inflammation of the brain.  It is transmitted by the bite of infected animals and is transmittable to humans.

The virus itself can take up to a month to fully grow.  With that said, once your pet starts showing symptoms the virus progresses rapidly.  Once symptoms appear and if not treated rapidly and immediately, it is very hard to turn around.  Symptoms of this deadly virus include:

  • fevers
  • paralysis
  • seizures
  • can’t swallow
  • aggression
  • salivation (in excess, or more than usual)
  • constant mood changes

If your dog has been in a dog fight or you think he might have been bit or scratched by another animal outdoors, please bring him to our vet immediately to be checked over.  This acts as a preventative measure because if your dog did receive the virus from an un-vaccinated animal, you would have caught it before it got very severe.  Your dog’s chances would be better if he did in fact have the virus.

In Florida, it is required that every pet dog must have a rabies vaccination.  Not only is a rabies shot a preventative measure for your dog, it is also a safety measure for you and your family and friends (as well as any other animal your dog may come into contact with).  As a note, it is also the law to have your cat and ferret vaccinated for this disease.  This vaccine is done on a yearly basis.  By law, your pet does not need to wear a rabies vaccination tag, but you as the owner do need to have record of it being given.

Call us and make an appointment for your dog’s rabies vaccine.  We are a low cost vaccination pet hospital.