Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system of mammals, including dogs. It is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals and is almost always fatal once clinical signs appear. However, rabies is also completely preventable through vaccination.
Is rabies vaccination required for dogs?
In most developed countries, rabies vaccination is required by law for domestic dogs. In the United States, rabies vaccination is mandated at the state or local level. Most states require puppies to receive their first rabies vaccine between 3-6 months of age. Additional booster shots are required on a regular schedule, usually every 1-3 years depending on the vaccine used.
Mandatory rabies vaccination serves two purposes. First, it protects each individual dog from contracting this fatal disease. Second, it helps create herd immunity in the canine population, preventing rabies from spreading through contact between dogs.
What are the risks of skipping rabies shots?
Dogs that do not receive rabies vaccination are at risk of contracting rabies if exposed to the virus. The rabies virus is most commonly found in wild animals like raccoons, bats, foxes and skunks. Unvaccinated dogs can be exposed through:
- Bites from rabid wild animals
- Fights with other dogs who have rabies
- Eating carcasses of rabid animals
Owners who skip their dog’s rabies vaccination are also breaking the law and can face fines or other penalties. Animal shelters may refuse to adopt out dogs without proof of rabies vaccination.
What are the clinical signs of rabies in dogs?
Once exposed to rabies, the virus incubates for 2-8 weeks before signs of infection appear. The initial symptoms are vague and include:
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Subtle behavior changes
As the disease progresses, dogs experience neurological deficits consistent with inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms may include:
- Incoordination
- Seizures
- Paralysis
- Jaw paralysis leading to drooling
- Hydrophobia (fear of water)
- Aggression
- Pupillary changes
- Coma
Death usually occurs within 7-10 days after the onset of symptoms.
Is rabies treatable in dogs?
There is no effective treatment for rabies in dogs or any other species. Rabies has a near 100% fatality rate. Some medications may help ease symptoms, but they cannot cure the infection itself. Euthanasia is typically recommended for dogs displaying clinical signs of rabies, both for humane reasons and public health concerns.
What happens if a dog with rabies bites a human?
Rabies poses a serious public health risk due to its potential transmission from dogs to humans. If an unvaccinated dog contracts rabies and bites a person, the virus can be passed through its saliva. Rabies is almost always fatal in humans once symptoms start, just as it is in dogs. The estimated mortality rate is around 59,000 human deaths annually worldwide.
After a dog bite, public health officials will try to determine if the dog has rabies based on vaccination records and observation. Dogs suspected of having rabies will be euthanized and tested. Meanwhile, the bite victim will receive post-exposure prophylaxis treatment consisting of:
- Thorough wound cleaning
- A dose of rabies immune globulin
- A series of rabies vaccine shots
As long as treatment begins promptly, this prevents the rabies virus from infecting the human.
How prevalent is rabies in the dog population?
Thanks to widespread vaccination over the past century, rabies is now rare in domestic dogs in the United States and many other developed nations. From 2008-2017, there were only 30 dogs reported rabid out of a population of around 70 million pet dogs in the U.S.
In contrast, rabies remains more common in dog populations without routine vaccination. Worldwide, dogs account for up to 99% of human rabies deaths. Rabies causes an estimated 59,000 human deaths annually in Africa and Asia, the majority traced back to rabid dogs.
What percentage of dogs are vaccinated for rabies in the U.S.?
| Year | Estimated Pet Dog Population | Estimated Vaccinated | Percent Vaccinated |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 89.7 million | 85.6 million | 95.4% |
| 2016 | 77.8 million | 72.9 million | 93.7% |
| 2011 | 69.9 million | 62.2 million | 89.0% |
Source: AVMA U.S. Pet Ownership Statistics
These figures from the American Veterinary Medical Association demonstrate that the vast majority of owned dogs in the U.S. are vaccinated for rabies as recommended by law. Coverage levels have increased steadily over time.
Worldwide Rabies Vaccination Rates
In contrast to the U.S., global rabies vaccination rates remain much lower:
- Africa: Less than 20% of dogs vaccinated
- Asia: Only around 15% of dogs vaccinated
- India: Only around 20% of dogs vaccinated
Insufficient vaccination allows rabies to persist in reservoir dog populations worldwide.
What are the risks of overdue rabies shots?
While core vaccines like rabies shots provide long-lasting immunity, immunity does eventually wane over time. Booster shots are needed to maintain protection by periodically re-stimulating the dog’s immune system.
If a dog’s rabies vaccine lapses beyond the recommended interval, its risk of contracting rabies gradually increases. How long a lapsed vaccine provides partial protection depends on many factors like:
- The dog’s immune function
- Number of prior vaccinations received
- Amount of rabies virus circulating locally
Due to difficulty predicting individual immune response, the safest approach is to resume shots as soon as possible. Most states require boosters every 1-3 years.
What to do if shots are overdue
If your dog is overdue for rabies vaccination or you are unsure of its status, consult your veterinarian right away. They will review your dog’s records and administer any vaccines needed to restore active immunity. Do not skip booster shots or wait to resume them.
Are there risks to getting rabies shots?
Modern rabies vaccines are extremely safe with minimal risks. Because they are inactivated vaccines, they cannot cause rabies. Typical side effects may include:
- Mild soreness at the injection site
- Lethargy
- Mild fever
- Decreased appetite for 1-2 days
More severe allergic reactions are possible but extremely rare (less than 1 in 1 million dogs vaccinated). Overall, the benefits of protection from a fatal disease far outweigh potential vaccination risks.
Are rabies titers acceptable instead of vaccination?
Rabies titers are laboratory tests measuring a dog’s immunity to rabies based on antibodies in the blood. Some dog owners may request titers instead of automatically revaccinating at intervals. However, most states still require routine vaccination for dogs regardless of titer results. Only Hawaii and a few counties in California allow titer testing in place of rabies boosters.
Reasons rabies titers are generally not accepted include:
- No established correlation between titer levels and resistance to rabies
- Testing is more expensive than vaccination
- Titers may fail to detect waning immunity as it drops below protective levels
Unless specified by local laws, the safest choice is still to vaccinate dogs on schedule based on vaccine label directions rather than relying on rabies titers.
What should I do if my dog is not up to date on rabies shots?
If you have adopted or purchased a dog that is not up to date on rabies vaccination, take the following steps:
- Consult your veterinarian to administer the rabies vaccine immediately, along with any other vaccines your dog requires.
- Follow your veterinarian’s recommendations for when boosters are due based on the vaccine used.
- Mark your calendar with future booster due dates and schedule appointment reminders.
- Ask for a paper record of each vaccine administered.
- Notify local animal control and licensing authorities your dog is now vaccinated.
Taking these measures will bring your dog into compliance with health codes and provide crucial protection from rabies virus exposure.
Conclusion
Rabies is a deadly viral disease of mammals that is fatal once clinical signs occur. Fortunately, we have an effective way to prevent rabies – vaccination. Requirements for routine rabies shots in domestic dogs have led to near elimination of this disease in the United States and many other developed countries.
However, dogs who do not receive rabies vaccination are vulnerable to a terrible disease. By vaccinating your pet according to your location’s protocols, you are protecting your dog’s health and preventing a serious public health risk. Ensuring your dog is up-to-date on its rabies shots at all times is a key aspect of responsible pet ownership.