{"id":1518,"date":"2022-10-06T16:58:36","date_gmt":"2022-10-06T20:58:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.parksidevet.ca\/blog\/?p=1518"},"modified":"2022-10-06T16:58:37","modified_gmt":"2022-10-06T20:58:37","slug":"help-i-think-my-pet-was-exposed-to-rabies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.parksidevet.ca\/blog\/help-i-think-my-pet-was-exposed-to-rabies\/","title":{"rendered":"Help! I Think My Pet Was Exposed to Rabies"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"Veterinarian<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Ontario law requires all dogs and cats be immunized against rabies starting around 14 weeks of age, with re-vaccination at one year old. Boosters are scheduled annually or every three years, depending on the vaccine and local regulations. This goes a long way toward protecting our companion animals from this dreaded disease, but rabies is far from eradicated. Whether your pet gets into a scuffle with wildlife or another pet, it\u2019s critical to proceed as if your pet was exposed to rabies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Identifying Rabies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whether you know or suspect your pet was exposed to rabies, it is vital to act quickly. This is an emergency situation<\/a> that requires speed, know-how, and level-headed thinking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Categorized as a zoonotic disease,<\/a> rabies can be passed to other animals or humans . Immediate testing and treatment for this virus should follow the discovery of a bite wound on your pet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if your pet is up to date on their rabies vaccination, they should be promptly re-vaccinated<\/a> after potential exposure to rabies. Close observation of their appearance and behavior for 45 days is necessary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to Look For<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rabies is transmitted through physical contact, most notably saliva through a bite. Animals can also become infected if body fluids from an infected animal (living or deceased) get into their eyes, mouth, nose, or an open wound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A disease of the brain and spinal cord, symptoms of rabies can cause:<\/p>\n\n\n\n