Protecting your furry friends with rabies vaccination

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Old Yeller went from man’s best friend to a slobbering, aggressive and confused wild animal. The classic American movie puts on display the ugly reminder of what the disease can do to our family pets.

Dwayne Elmore, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension wildlife specialist, said the recent identification of a rabid skunk in Edmond should be a jumpstart for pet owners who may not be up to speed on their pet’s vaccinations.

“Rabies is carried by and can be contracted by many mammal species,” he said. “Some of the more common mammals we see infected are skunk, fox, raccoon and bats.”

The disease is transmitted by direct contact with fluid from an infected animal.

“In the late stages of the disease, animals often exhibit strange behavior and can be quite aggressive,” Elmore said. “Any animal showing lack of fear of humans, confusion or aggression should not be approached.”

Rabies is a preventable viral disease, which infects the central nervous system. Early symptoms are somewhat difficult to spot, but it does not take long for the disease to progress.

“Rabies occasionally pops up as local outbreaks,” Elmore said. “However, due to its high mortality rate, rapid progression and difficulty in transmission, it usually does not spread to many animals before the outbreak subsides.”

It is important to make sure domestic cats and dogs are vaccinated against rabies, as they are the ones most likely to come in contact with infected animals.

“Rabies vaccinations should be administered as directed by your veterinarian,” said Dr. Elisabeth Giedt, director of Continuing Education, Extension and Community Engagement at the Center for Veterinary Health Sciences at OSU. “Vaccination labels provide information on duration of vaccination and booster requirements.”

For more information about rabies, visit the Center for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov/rabies.