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Greetings!
What is rabies? Rabies is a disease of the brain and spinal cord and is caused by a virus. The rabies virus lives in the saliva and nervous tissue of infected animals and is spread if the saliva comes into contact with broken skin, open wounds, or the mucous membranes of the eyes, mouth or nose. Rabies affects all mammals, including humans. Worldwide, 55,000 people die of rabies each year. Rabies is fatal. |
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Why do I need to vaccinate my cat and dog for rabies?
- Rabies vaccination keeps you and your pet safe:
- Risk of exposure to rabies is much higher for those families with pets.
- Vaccination greatly reduces the likelihood of your pet or your family contracting rabies.
- Pets often come into contact with potentially rabid wildlife and then re-enter the home.
- Rabies vaccination is required by Massachusetts Law (MGL c. 140, S. 145B):
- All cats and dogs must receive a rabies vaccination between 3 and 6 months of age.
- All cats and dogs who are acquired or moved to MA, must receive a rabies vaccine within 90 days of arrival or upon reaching 6 months old, whichever occurs last.
- The rabies vaccination must be administered by a licensed Veterinarian.
- If a patient presents to a veterinary facility for treatment and is unvaccinated, the attending Veterinarian is required to administer a rabies vaccine.
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How long does my pet's rabies vaccine last? Does the Veterinarian need to booster it?
- Your pet's initial vaccination is valid for 1 year. This initial vaccination is effective and your pet is considered legally immunized, 30 days after it is administered.
- A booster is given within 9-12 months of the original vaccination date. This booster is effective immediately and protects your pet for 3 years.
- If your pet's booster is given 1 day early (just shy of 9 months) or 1 day late (just over 12 months), the booster is considered another 1 year vaccine and NOT a 3 year vaccine.
- Once your pet receives a valid 3 year vaccine, your pet will always receive a 3 year vaccine.
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My dog was bitten by a wild animal and his rabies vaccine is overdue, what do I do?
- The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, Division of Animal Health recommends immediate euthanasia for any cat or dog that is unvaccinated for rabies and suffers a wound from a wild animal.
- If an owner is unwilling to euthanize, the pet must be placed in isolation for three months and then under strict confinement, for an additional three months. Assuming the pet shows no signs of the rabies virus, he or she is vaccinated in the 5th month of confinement and is released in the 6th month.
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| |  What does "isolation" mean for my pet? What is "strict confinement?" - Isolation is restricting a domestic animal from any direct human or other animal contact; confining the animal to a facility such as a pound, veterinary hospital, commercial kennel or quarantine facility approved by the animal control officer
- Strict Confinement is the maintenance of a domestic animal in an escape-proof, solid-walled building with a roof that is approved by the animal control officer. The animal may stay at home under the direct supervision of an adult and may be leash-walked only.
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My cat found a bat in our attic, her rabies vaccine is current and she never goes outside, do I need to do anything? - The MA Division of Animal Health states that any vaccinated cat or dog that comes into contact with wildlife must have their rabies vaccination immediately boostered and they should be strictly confined for 45 days.
- Any cat or dog that comes into contact with a bat or is seen near a bat, must be seen by a veterinarian for a rabies booster, even if no visible wounds are seen. Bites and scratches from bats may be very small and may go unnoticed, or be mistaken for an insect bite or sting.
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My neighbor's cat fights with my cat whenever they are both outside. I don't know if their cat is vaccinated for rabies. Do I need to worry?
- The MA Division of Animal Health mandates that any unvaccinated pet with a wound from another dog or cat must be strictly confined for 6 months and vaccinated 1 month prior to release.
- If the wounded pet is vaccinated for rabies, they must be boostered immediately and strictly confined for 45 days.
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| |  How do I keep all this information straight and keep my dog, cat and family safe? This is a lot of information which can be boiled down to one very important point: Keep your pet's rabies vaccination current! Sterling Veterinary Clinic is here to help you keep your pet's rabies vaccine up to date, provide you with a current rabies certificate and assist you with the MA rabies protocol. We currently offer two options for rabies clinics that are open to the public, one in April and one in October. Visit our website, for the next rabies clinic date, time and details. We are proud to offer this much needed service to area families and their pets. Know someone whose pet is unvaccinated? Forward this newsletter to help them understand the importance of rabies vaccination for all cats and dogs. |
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If you have any questions about rabies vaccination for your pet or MA regulations, please contact me! I would be happy to discuss your pet's unique situation.
Sincerely,  Rebecca Choquette
Veterinary Technician
Sterling Veterinary Clinic
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