How bad is the rabies vaccine for dogs?
Even though it’s rare, a dog can have a severe reaction to the rabies vaccine. This typically isn’t because there’s something wrong with the vaccine itself, but is due to an overreaction of the dog’s immune system. Serious side effects usually start immediately after or within one to two hours of vaccination.
What happens if dog doesn’t get rabies shot?
Following an exposure to rabies, dogs, cats, and ferrets that have never been vaccinated against rabies should be euthanized immediately by an animal health professional because there are no USDA-licensed biologics for postexposure prophylaxis in previously unvaccinated domestic animal.
Can a dog get rabies from biting a bat?
When a bite breaks the skin, the virus can enter the bloodstream. It can also pass through an open wound that is exposed to the saliva of an infected animal, usually by licking. While it can pass between pets, rabies in dogs most frequently comes from exposure to wild animals like bats, raccoons, and foxes.
How long is dog rabies vaccine good for?
Considered a core vaccine, rabies vaccines for dogs are required by law in the U.S. All dogs should be vaccinated for rabies at approximately 14 weeks of age, and then again at one year of age. Depending on your local regulations, re-vaccination should happen every one to three years.
Can rabies vaccine cause kidney failure in dogs?
An allergic reaction to the rabies vaccine is your dog’s immune system having a hypersensitive response to the vaccine itself. Symptoms can range from skin rash to diarrhea, and in very rare cases acute kidney failure.
How do I know if the dog that bit me has rabies?
The first symptoms of rabies can appear from a few days to more than a year after the bite happens. At first, there’s a tingling, prickling, or itching feeling around the bite area. A person also might have flu-like symptoms such as a fever, headache, muscle aches, loss of appetite, nausea, and tiredness.
Are bats bad for dogs?
Like many other wild animals, bats can carry rabies virus. Even a small, seemingly unimportant bite from a bat can cause transmission of the virus. This means that before you take in a pet bat you must be immunized against the virus. An infected bat may even transmit the virus to other domestic animals in the house.
What happens if a dog is bitten by a bat?
If you think your pet has been bitten by a bat, contact a veterinarian or your health department for assistance immediately and have the bat tested for rabies. Remember to keep vaccinations current for cats, dogs, and other animals.