Are Rabies Vacination Really Necessary?

Question

My dog and I have been vaccinated against rabies. But in todays society what are the chances we would ever get rabies?

i have never met someone that got rabies, nor have i ever seen a dog have rabies. Im sure someone has but, are the chances so slim that i have a better chance of getting hit by lightning? Are we being over protective?
Please dont say "better safe then sorry" if we really believed that then we would have a million needles in us right now.

Also i know if you get rabies (in the US) its treatable. Is the same for dogs?

Answer 1

It's required by law. If you want to see what happens when it isn't,check out India or other third world countries. People are dying in droves from rabid dogs. I find it very interesting that you have been vaccinated for rabies. Usually people aren't as it is very expensive.

Answer 2

Rabies vaccinations are essential for legal reasons. It's not a matter of "better safe than sorry" so much as "better safe than sued." Rabies is all about the law and has very little to do with common sense or medical science. Some states accept a three year vaccination, some say you have to vaccinate every other year, and others say every single year. But you know what, 9 times out of 10 it's the EXACT same vaccine! Also, if a dog bites someone without a rabies vaccine, then the dog has to be quarantined to observe for rabies symptoms. If that same dog bites someone even one second after the injection is given, then that person is magically safe and the dog doesn't need to be quarantined! Even a moron knows that vaccines don't work that fast, but according to the law it's ok because the dog has been vaccinated.

The chances of a human getting rabies from a dog in the US are virtually zero. It's not impossible, ANY mammal can carry rabies and there has been at least one documented attack involving a rabid dog in the past 5 years. But it's really unlikely.

Answer 3

Depending on area,, YES there is rabies,, so yes you need to have your dog vaccinated,, We had a contractor here in new england,,was bit by a bat months ago,, and now is in the hospital with rabies,, just in the news,, prognosis is poor for this poor man,,
THERE IS NO CURE FOR RABIES!!! only a treatment that prevents the progression of the diease in humans,, once you show signs (sometimes as late as 6 months after exposure) you are dead,, Same with animals..
If your dog bites someone,, and is not vaccinated,, yes they can quarenteen the dog for 10 days,, OR require testing,, that involves testing the brain tissue.. and the death of your dog,, if it is a bite on the face,, because it is close to the brain most states require the animal tested immediatly not placed in quarenteen..
Rabies is not a joke,, is a potentially a real threat,, and the truth is the only option is prevention,, though vaccination of animals, and treatment of humans right after exposure,, there is no cure, and death rate is almost 100% when exposed,, and not treated immediatly..
Amanda

Answer 4

The chances of contracting rabies may be very slim, but why even take the chance. I know that in some states, the dog owner is obligated to get the rabies vaccination for the pet. It's a safety precaution that shouldn't be taken likely.

Answer 5

While it is true that rabies still exists in all parts of the US, it is primarily in raccoons, squirrels and other small rodents I asked this same exact question of my local animal control department a few years ago and was told there has not been a single incident of rabies in dogs in the last 20 years. Despite that fact, we continue to vaccinate due to the chance of exposure to the other animal populations that still have incidents of rabies.

In England, where there is no rabies in any of the wild or pet population whatsoever, no animals are given rabies vaccinations. However, as a protection against the chance of rabies coming to England from the US, where rabies still exists, all visiting animals must have a rabies vaccine no more than 30 days prior to arrival and also a rabies titre proving that the dog is protected. In the past England required all visiting dogs from the US be in quarantine in the UK for 6 months, but that requirement has now been lifted.

Here in the States, our chance is very slim; nevertheless the precaution remains.

Answer 6

Rabies goes through cycles in wild animals- sometimes it is very prevalent, then you won't see many cases in that area for a few years. I don't understand why you are questioning the validity of a vaccine that prevents your pet from getting a deadly disease that can be passed on to humans. To my understanding, once symptoms show up, in either people or animals, it's too late to be treated, and the only way to confirm ti's rabies for sure is through an autopsy. Why risk painful injections into the stomach you would need if possibly exposed?
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/introduction/intro.htm

Part of this article addresses the drop in the # of domestic rabies cases in the last 40 years or so- why you ask? Because people get their animals vaccinated! There's a reason cats and dogs, by law, are required to have rabies vaccinations in most, if not all states!

Answer 7

YES the vaccination is necessary!

Rabies is a hideous disease for which there is no cure. You can't take enough precautions against it.

The reason you will not have met anyone with rabies is because vaccination has become common, so the disease is less prevalent. If everyone stops getting the vaccinations, the disease can take over again!

Rabies has been eradicated in England, so vaccinations against it are no longer given as standard. HOWEVER, our rabies-free status was achieved by rigorous vaccination programmes, the extermination of stray animals and control over animals coming and going from other countries. Today, we maintain this status by controlling the movement of animals into and out of the country, and having animals that are travelling to other countries vaccinated against rabies.

If you live in a country where rabies is endemic PLEASE keep up your rabies vaccinations. You will be saving your dog the risk of a very unpleasant death, as well as helping your country achieve rabies-free status.

Rabies is a virus and it is not treatable once symptoms have appeared. If you are bitten by a rabid dog, it may be possible to prevent becoming infected by prompt medical treatment involving cleaning of the wound and vaccination. I believe there has been one case recently where a girl who had contracted rabies was put in a coma for three weeks, and she survived. Subsequent attempts to use this treatment have not been successful. I think you should read this article so you understand the severity of this disease and the importance of eradicating it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabies

As you can see, it's more than 'better safe than sorry'!

Chalice

Answer 8

As someone who had to go Thur Rabies Shots. Because I was bit by an cat who had no vaccanations at work ( I worked in a Vet's office) Yes you have to get the Rabies Vaccination it is required by law to get it for your pet. To subject someone to having to get the rabies vac because you did not do your part as a responsible pet owner. The first shot you get is in the site of the bite wound, I almost decked the Dr when he gave me the shot.

We also had a scare at the clinic last year we had a UN vaccated dog come in sick, 3 days latter the dog died we had to send the head off to be tested so for 3 days everyone at the clinic was on pins and needles because we did not know if we had been exposed to rabies. The symptoms the dog had were the same as rabies in dogs.

Answer 9

Rabies is prevalent in wild animals. One of the counties next to us has the highest percentage of rabies cases each year in our state, most of them skunks. A couple of years ago, a young boy died from rabies. When he got sick, the doctors had no idea what was wrong with him. He had found a bat and kept it in his room. The bat had rabies and had bit the boy. Finally a friend had told the parents about the bat, but by then it was too late to help the boy. The boy had thrown the bat out after it died.

We live in the country. Our house is surrounded by woods and lots of wildlife. We would be crazy to not have our dogs vaccinated.

Answer 10

Rabies vaccines are required by law, and if your dog were to get bit by a wild animal or bite another person the dog would have to be put down and his head sent in for testing if he is not current on his rabies vaccine.

Answer 11

Rabies vaccinations are needed by law in all states of the US. The reason that there has been less rabies outbreaks is because of responsible pet owners vaccinating their pets. Now, the yearly Parvo/Distemper boosters are not really needed in an older dog. You can do blood titers on your dog for this to see if the dog needs a booster. Dr. Jean Dodds does not reccomend boosters anymore, she advocates getting the blood titers done on a dog to see if one is needed.