Important Info About Rabies Vaccine

The rabies vaccination is a necessary part of a pet's well-being and prevents a harmful (usually fatal) disease. Pets should receive it year round without a break. It does not matter if the dog or cat is an indoor or outdoor pet—they need to have a rabies vaccination. By keeping your pet current on its rabies vaccine, you are keeping other pets and humans safe.

What is rabies?

Rabies is a disease transferred through saliva (usually through a bite) that affects the nervous system. Once outside signs of the disease (such as foaming at the mouth) are apparent, the result is usually fatal. Most cases of rabies are found in wild animals such as raccoons or bats. In recent years, cats are the most common domesticated animal to be infected with rabies, because some cat owners allow their cats to roam outside and do not vaccinate for rabies. Cats are often exposed to wild animals that carry the disease, which can be transferred to other animals or humans.

We cannot stress how important it is to have your pet vaccinated for rabies. Several years ago, we had a devastating case that continually reminds us to educate our clients about vaccinations.

We once received a call from a woman whose cat had caught a bat while spending time outside. The cat had partially eaten the bat as well. Our manager asked the owner if her cat was current on rabies, to which she replied no, the cat had never received the rabies vaccine. Animal control was then contacted, and the news was devastating. The bat had rabies and since the cat had bitten it, there was a high probability the sweet kitty had contracted rabies as well.

Animal control told us the cat would need to be euthanized. This was not what we wanted to hear, but for everyone’s safety, this was the only solution. Had the cat been current on its rabies vaccination, the ending to this story would have been much different.

We ask that you please keep your pet current on its rabies vaccination. Not only will it save your loved one from a similar situation as the one discussed, but it will protect other animals and people. It is a liability if your pet bites another animal or person and does not have the rabies vaccine.

Animal control has specific guidelines when handling animal bites. One of the first questions animal control asks when an animal has bitten another animal or human being is whether or not the rabies vaccination of the animal is current. It is in your best interest to have your pet vaccinated.

If you have any questions about the rabies vaccine, please speak with our veterinarians or members of our staff.

What About Bob?

Dear Diary,

March 2, 2017

There’s this girl. As I sit here hanging on a small branch, all I can think about is her glowing face. Her sleek, emerald body with white speckles and blue belly makes me think about one day creating younglings with this attractive being. My days are spent dreaming of her, as people pass by my domain, thinking I am dead. But alas, I am merely just sleeping. This lady and I deserve to be together. Twice a month we are fed the same dinner, but in separate quarters. We have always been apart—except that one time—she joined me for a cozy movie night. What did we watch? Rat Feeding: the Man Who Comes at Night, of course. Now, we are miles apart and my eyes glaze over just thinking about her. This has not always been the case.

Long ago, I had a strange love affair. My master introduced me to this peculiar girl, and I thought she was to be the love of my life. But she despised me. Every time I came out of my habitat, she screamed and ran underneath a nearby desk. I wanted to wrap myself around her arm, but she stayed at least 100 feet away from me. My master did everything he could to lure this girl into my warm embrace, but she refused. I gave up.

This new girl (her name is Fern), is the apple of my eye. The piece to my puzzle. My life will be complete when she comes back to me. For now, I must remain in my habitat where people watch me and think I’m plastic. Trust me, I am not plastic. I am REAL…and in love! My name is Bob and this is my love story.  

The lovely Fern

Bob the snake