Rabies, a virus, is preventable in humans but not treatable. There are vaccines available for our pet dogs and cats and for several species of farm animals including horses. An unprotected mammal infected with this virus will die. If the infected animal bites or somehow gets its saliva into a wound on a human then that human will become infected unless immediately treated with special injections.

The best course of action is PREVENTION.

North Carolina has laws requiring that all dogs and cats be vaccinated for Rabies with penalties and fines for lack of compliance.

In the state of North Carolina, cats and dogs must receive their first Rabies vaccination between the ages of 12 and 16 weeks. Having a pet over the 4-month age mark that is unvaccinated is considered against the law.

The first vaccination for Rabies that your kitten or puppy gets at 4 months of age needs to be repeated 12 months later. The second Rabies vaccine should be valid for 3 years, at which point it needs to be repeated every three years thereafter.

The exception is that listed above, if the pet comes in contact with a carrier of Rabies then the vaccine needs to be repeated within 3 days. An example of this would be the real life case here in Garner; a dog has had contact with a raccoon, which are known carriers of Rabies.

Another example would be if your cat brings home a dead bat, another common carrier of rabies. If a stray or unknown animal bites you or any other human, please contact your local animal control officer immediately.

In Johnston County, call 934-8474 In Wake County (except Cary, Garner, Holly Springs and Raleigh), call 212-PETS (7387)

In Cary, call 319-4517

In Garner, call 772-8896 In Holly Springs, call 557-9111 In Raleigh, call 831-6311

Sara Lash, DVM Healthy Pets Mobile Vet

www.drsaralash.com

919-329-7387(PETS)