 | Dr. Laura Morland graduated from Kansas State University in 1971 with a doctorate in veterinary medicine. Dr. Morland is very involved in her community. She has four children and two grandchildren. In her spare time she enjoys raising Yorkies, Cairns and Maltese, and being a grandma. Dr. Morland may be reached at 620-724-8054 or visit www.girardanimalhospital.com. |
Pets
2012-04-20 09:11:04
Which animals should be vaccinated for rabies?
A: Yes, it is still common, and still very necessary to get your animals vaccinated. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment wants to remind the public to have their animals vaccinated by a veterinarian for rabies. According to their studies, 13 animals have tested positive since the first of the year. These consisted of 4 skunks, two bats, two cows, two horses, one cat, one coyote and one raccoon. This number is significantly higher then last year at this time.
Vaccines are available for dogs, cats, ferrets, horses, cattle and sheep. Most people understand the importance of vaccinating dogs and cats against rabies, but they often forget about or don’t realize the importance of vaccinating horses. Vaccinating cattle and sheep is not practical but KDHE encouraged the public to vaccinate valuable breeding stock and show animals. Animals do need to have periodic boosters of vaccine to maintain proper protection.
Animal rabies is common in Kansas, and skunks are the animals most likely to have the disease. However, skunks can pass the virus to other animals, such as dogs, cats, cattle and horses. The risk for human exposure to rabies is real but preventable and depends on the vaccination of domestic animals, eliminating exposure to stray and wild animals and providing exposed persons with prompt post-exposure rabies treatment.
Tips that the Health Department recommends are to have your veterinarian vaccinate all dogs, cats, ferrets, horses and valuable breeding stock against rabies. They insist on the importance of reporting all animal bites and seeking medical attention, teaching children to never handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, and to never adopt or feed wild animals.
