Your Dog Health Care Must Include Annual Rabies Shots!

by DCC Pets Veterinary Hospital

Our furry canine friends are also prone to a lot of diseases and rabies is one of the deadliest viruses that can affect them. Rabies shots are the only effective treatment option to save our pet dogs from a dreadful fate, in case of a rabies infection.

 

Pet care has evolved a great deal, but there is no proper diagnostic or treatment option, if your pet gets affected by rabies. And if your dog doesn’t have their scheduled rabies shots taken, state law in many countries, mandates that - if they were to bite or be bitten, or get a cut of unknown origin that may incidentally be a stray bite - they should be quarantined, or worse, put to sleep, in order to keep other people and animals safe.

 

Therefore, it is essential to stay on top of your dog’s rabies vaccination schedule.

 

Now, the question is... 

 

How Long is a Single Rabies Shot Effective?

Depending on trial and proof, the longevity of preventative effects from a rabies shot varies anywhere between 1 to 3 years. State law in many countries, however, have fixed vaccination schedules for rabies in animals - something your veterinarian should be well aware of.

 

Does that mean…

 

Your Dog Should Get Annual Rabies Shots?

Shortly, yes.

 

Once vaccinated, the rabies vaccine teaches the body how to identify the rabies virus and create an immune response to kill the virus, if it occurs. Over time, this fades considerably - that is why booster shots are so important. 

 

A yearly booster shot is like a cumulative life-time coverage for your dog against the rabies virus and is recommended globally by most veterinarians.

 

Rabies Vaccination Schedule For Your Dog 

In most states, puppy rabies vaccine is generally given at 16 weeks (not any earlier than week 12), and the rabies vaccination is supposed to be good for one year. For adult dogs, a single dose of the rabies vaccine is apparently good for three years. Your dog's vaccination schedule is something to be addressed at the time of the first visit to the veterinarian. For example, if your puppy would receive the rabies vaccine at 16 weeks first, then the next dose should be when they're 1 year old and then again at age 4.

 

This may make it seem like yearly shots are an oversight, but unlike most diseases, over-vaccination in case of rabies, is not a thing. And it is better to be safe than sorry anyway, isn’t it?

 

Side Effects from Rabies Vaccine

Common side effects of a rabies vaccine can include mild malaise, swelling at the vaccination site, a slight fever, and a decreased appetite and activity level. These symptoms can start very shortly, presumably within a couple of hours of the vaccination and should disappear completely in a day or two.

 

If they don’t, or if there is swelling at the site of injection, which does not seem to be reducing with time, or may seem to be increasing in dimensions, then it is pertinent to contact your veterinarian right away. 

 

Less common but more severe side effects can involve:

 

• Vomiting or diarrhoea
• Hives
• Swelling around the muzzle involving the face, eyes or neck
• Decreasing activity level
• Severe coughing or difficulty in breathing etc.

 

These effects might occur within minutes to a few hours of receiving the vaccine. It is advised to contact a veterinarian immediately in such situations of medical emergencies.

 

Vaccination Aftercare

In case of mild discomfort, here are a few ways you can take care of your dog:

• Provide them with a nice and cosy nook to rest in, maybe lay down a blanket in their favourite corner of the house
• Make sure they have access to water and their favourite food
• Avoid petting or playing with them; they will seek you out when they want attention
• Don't disturb them much with any kind of loud noises and check on them every so often to see if they are comfortable

 

Rabies is a fatal disease for your furry canine friends. Take care of them in the right manner by getting them vaccinated regularly.

 

Book an appointment at the DCC Animal Hospital today to get your pet’s health checked up. We even have vaccinations available for all of our furry four-legged friends.

 

Call now on (+91) 9311560101.

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Created on Nov 14th 2021 01:38. Viewed 243 times.

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