Did you hear about Rabies?

Rabies is a viral disease of mammals that travels through the nervous system and causes death

Did you know??

• rabies is transmitted by a bite
• there’s been 25 cases of rabies between 2009-2018 in the US
• worldwide, there’s about 60,000 people that die of rabies every year
• rabies can be transmitted by a bite from any mammal to another
• there’s over 3,000 confirmed wildlife rabies cases each year in the US
• about 300 rabies cases from domestic animals (Ex: cats and dogs) are confirmed each year in the US
• the rabies vaccine is legally required for all dogs in the state
• rabies is NOT treatable and fatal
• rabies is 100% preventable

How to protect myself and my pets?

• keep your cats, dogs, and ferrets up-to-date on rabies vaccination
• if you or your pet is bitten by an animal, wash the area immediately with soap and water, seek medical attention, and report it to your area health department

Resources

Marathon County Animal Bites & Rabies

Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

***This blog is intended for educational purposes only.  It does not establish a VCPR (Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship) and does not provide advice regarding what to do for any specific diagnosis.  As such, this blog should not be substituted for seeking medical care for your pet.  Should your pet need professional medical care, please consult your local veterinarian. ***