Rabies is a deadly viral disease that affects the central nervous system of mammals, including humans. It is caused by the rabies virus (rhabdovirus), which is found in the saliva of infected animals. Rabies is transmitted to humans and other animals through the bite of an infected animal, or through contact with the saliva of an infected animal on an open wound or mucous membrane.

Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms develop, but it is 100% preventable with vaccination. Rabies vaccines are safe and effective, and they are required by law for most dogs and cats in the United States.

• Understanding Rabies
• Symptoms in Dogs
• Symptoms in Cats
• Importance of Vaccination
• Rabies Vaccine for Dogs
• Rabies Vaccine for Cats
• Is Rabies Vaccine required?

1. Understanding Rabies

Rabies is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. The virus, known as rhabdovirus, affects the central nervous system of infected animals or people. Rabid animals exhibit symptoms such as aggression, isolation, agitation, neurologic signs, incoordination, paralysis, and foaming at the mouth. The virus is primarily spread through bites, as it is present in the infected animal’s saliva. Unfortunately, there is currently no treatment for Rabies once an animal or person becomes infected. In humans, a series of Rabies shots can be administered to mitigate the spread of the infection, while in animals, euthanasia is the only option, followed by laboratory testing to confirm Rabies post-mortem.

While Rabies has been largely eliminated from urban areas, the virus still persists in wildlife populations that may occasionally come into contact with domestic animals. Animals such as raccoons, bats, skunks, foxes, and coyotes can carry the Rabies virus and transmit it to pets.

2. Symptoms of Rabies in Dogs

In dogs, rabies typically progresses through three distinct stages: the prodromal, the furious, and the paralytic (dumb) stage. Initially, you may notice subtle personality changes—a normally friendly dog may become shy, or a calm dog may become restless. As the virus attacks the central nervous system, “furious” symptoms often emerge, characterized by extreme aggression, snapping at imaginary objects, and heightened sensitivity to light and sound. In the final “dumb” stage, dogs experience difficulty swallowing and paralysis of the jaw and throat muscles, leading to the classic symptom of “foaming at the mouth.” Unfortunately, once a dog begins to show these neurologic signs, the disease is rapidly fatal.

3. Symptoms of Rabies in Cats

Cats often exhibit more aggressive or “furious” symptoms than dogs when infected. An infected cat may show sudden erratic behavior, such as pouncing on objects, hiding in dark corners, or attacking other animals and humans without provocation. Physical symptoms include a loss of muscle coordination, tremors, and a distinct change in their meow due to laryngeal paralysis. A noted feature in cats is widely dilated pupils throughout all stages of the disease. As the virus progresses, cats may struggle to eat or drink (hydrophobia) and eventually succumb to paralysis. Because cats are skilled at hiding illness, these behavioral changes are often the first—and most critical—warning signs for owners to recognize.

4. Importance of Vaccination

Vaccinating our pets against Rabies is crucial to reduce the risk of infection if a bite occurs. Puppies and kittens typically receive their first Rabies vaccine at 12 weeks of age, which provides protection for one year. Depending on state regulations and vaccination laws, Rabies vaccination may be mandatory for all domestic animals, with non-compliance resulting in quarantine protocols.

5. Rabies Vaccination for Dogs

In dogs, Rabies vaccination can be administered every 1 to 3 years. Regular vaccination is required for veterinary visits, grooming sessions, and boarding facilities. Most often, dogs receive a killed virus adjuvanted vaccine, where the virus is rendered inactive, and an adjuvant is added to enhance the immune response.

6. Rabies Vaccination for Cats

Similar to dogs, Rabies vaccination for cats can be administered every 1 or 3 years. It is also mandatory for veterinary visits, grooming, and boarding. Cats usually receive a recombinant non-adjuvanted vaccine, in which the genetic composition of the virus is altered to remove additional immune-stimulating substances.

7. Why is Rabies Vaccination Required?

Veterinary clinics, groomers, and boarding facilities enforce Rabies vaccination requirements for a significant reason. Any animal, regardless of its size or temperament, has the potential to bite under certain circumstances. If an unvaccinated pet bites a human, the pet will need to be quarantined for 10 days and cannot be vaccinated against rabies within that time frame, while the bitten individual will undergo a series of four Rabies vaccines within a 14-day period at a hospital. Rabies poses a real threat to both animals and humans, making Rabies vaccination crucial for our pets. By adhering to vaccination schedules, we can protect our beloved companions from this deadly disease and prevent unnecessary complications in case of bites or potential exposure. Stay responsible and ensure your pet’s Rabies vaccination is up to date, providing them with the best possible protection against this dangerous virus.

For more information about Rabies, visit:
Rabies Aware 
CDC.gov

References:
McCurnin’s Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians
cdc.gov
rabiesaware.org
AVMA Journals (Epidemiology of Rabies in Cats)
World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA)

Disclaimer: This blog is meant to be used as a resource tool for pet owners, pet enthusiasts, and anyone who would like to understand a little bit more about how to better care for our pets. As with any information on the internet, please take it with a grain of salt, and always consult with your veterinarian to discuss the best course of action for your furry friend.

Editor’s Note: The original version of this blog was published on June 16th, 2021.

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Being a veterinary technician is very rewarding. I love being able to help animals and their owners. My favorite part of the job is answering questions from pet owners who are genuinely interested in the well-being of their pets and how to make their lives better. I believe that pet owners should feel empowered to ask questions and learn more about their furry friends. After all, “you don’t know what you don’t know until you know.”

I have seen firsthand how education can benefit pet owners and their pets. When pet owners have a better understanding of their pet’s health and needs, they are better equipped to make informed decisions about their care. This can lead to a healthier and happier life for both the pet and the owner.

That is why I have decided to start this blog. I want to help educate pet owners about the things they are curious about for their pets and offer resources and tools to help you care for your pet. From simple first checkups and vaccines to understanding when it is time to say goodbye, and everything in between. I hope that this information will help pet owners keep their furry babies healthier and happier.

Here are some examples of how I can help:

• Puppy care: such as puppy socialization and puppy training.
• Adult pet care: such as nutrition, preventive care, and common health problems.
• Senior pet care: such as age-related changes, hospice care, and euthanasia.
• Pet behavior: such as common behavior problems, training tips, and socialization.
• Pet nutrition: such as choosing the right food for your pet, and feeding guidelines.
• Pet health: such as common diseases and parasites, vaccination schedules, and first aid.

I am also happy to answer specific questions that pet owners may have. I believe that every pet is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer to every question. But, in the end, the best advice will always come from your veterinarian, as they know best about the health history of your pet.

I am excited to embark on this journey with you and help you learn more about your furry friends. As we embark on this shared journey, I invite you to engage with me, ask questions, and share your experiences. Together, we can create a healthier and happier world for all pets.

See you next time! Until then Stay Pawsitively Purrfect!!!

Disclaimer: This blog is meant to be used as a resource tool for pet owners, pet enthusiasts, and anyone who would like to understand a little bit more about how to better care for our pets. As with any information on the internet, please take it with a grain of salt, and always consult with your veterinarian to discuss the best course of action for your furry friend.

Editor’s Note: The original version of this blog was published on June 3rd, 2021.

The post What is this blog about? appeared first on The Life of Fido.

First of all CONGRATULATIONS on your new kitten!!! 

Getting a new furry friend is an exciting time, but it’s important to ensure their health goes beyond just providing a loving home. Typically, kittens are around 8 weeks old when you bring them home, as most breeders keep them with their mothers until then. But, this can vary from breeder to breeder,or if you have adopted from a shelter or humane society, or if your new furry friend has found you.

As a responsible pet owner, it’s now your duty to ensure your kitten receives proper care and continues to grow healthy and happy, and one way to do that is to keep them up to date on their checkups, vaccines, deworming, and bloodwork.

There is a lot of information available regarding vaccines, including their schedules and the specific illnesses they address, and pet owners often wonder which vaccines their kittens need and how often they should be administered. I will aim to clarify some of that information and clear the confusion once and for all.

• What are vaccines?
• Vaccine Schedule
• Deworming
• Bloodwork

What are vaccines?

Vaccines are in simple terms a group of constituents or “ingredients” if you will, that once injected into the body will cause a predicted stimulation to the body cells, thus getting a reaction from those body cells. This reaction that occurs in the cells is what helps the body to identify the viruses’ composition and create a reaction(eliminate the intruder) to those viruses faster.

The way to create immunity in the body is by giving a series of vaccines within a set interval, making the body cells create a memory for the virus genetics and then being able to eliminate it as fast as possible before it is able to cause any harm to the body.

When kittens are born, they have antibodies from their mothers that help fight off viruses. These antibodies get transmitted to the kitten via mom’s milk, especially the first milk that is given to kittens within a few hours of birth (this first milk is called colostrum). This first milk is what will help the kitten to survive in the outside world right after birth.

However, as they grow older, these maternal antibodies fade away, leaving them vulnerable. To avoid that, it is important to give your kitten the vaccine boosters that are necessary for their body to create the much-needed antibodies that it will need to ensure a healthy life. I recommend following your veterinarian’s guidelines for the vaccine schedule that your new furry friend will need.

Vaccine Schedule Timeline

At around 6-8 weeks of age, kittens should receive their first FVRCP (commonly known as distemper) vaccine. The FVRCP vaccine is a combination vaccine that protects against Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia. Breeders may also deworm the kittens at this time, but the deworming schedule varies among breeders with no standardized approach.

In addition to the FVRCP vaccine, there are other important vaccines to consider. The Rabies vaccine, for instance, is required in most places for activities like nail trims, bathing, grooming, or boarding. It can be administered at 12 weeks of age, although some vet clinics may wait until 16 weeks.

Another vaccine to consider, especially for cats that will be indoor/outdoor, is the Feline Leukemia vaccine (FelV). Feline Leukemia is primarily transmitted through saliva, blood, urine, and feces. Outdoor cats that encounter other feline companions are at higher risk. I recommend testing for Feline Leukemia through a blood test called FelV/FIV Elisa test that can be done at your vet clinic, which is done during the kitten stage, normally before giving the Feline Leukemia vaccine.

Vaccine Table Examples

Distemper (FVRCP)

Rabies

Leukemia(FeLV)

Additionally, it’s always a good idea to deworm kittens at least one more time and check a fecal sample for parasites. This not only keeps your kitten healthy but also ensures your own safety as well.

It is very normal to feel confused and overwhelmed with the amount of information that will be provided to you. The best advice that I can give is to ask questions, don’t be afraid of asking questions or feeling that you are repeating yourself. The best way is to learn your way through this, as well as keep a journal with important information about your kitten so that you can compare later on.

I would love to hear about your experiences, questions or concerns either in the comments below, or you can send us a message.

Disclaimer: This blog is meant to be used as a resource tool for pet owners, pet enthusiasts, and anyone who would like to understand a little bit more about how to better care for our pets. As with any information on the internet, please take it with a grain of salt, and always consult with your veterinarian to discuss the best course of action for your furry friend.

The post You’ve got a new kitten now WHAT? appeared first on The Life of Fido.

First of all CONGRATULATIONS on your new puppy!!!

Getting a new furry friend is always an exciting time from day one. But puppies need a lot more than just a loving home in order to be healthy. Chances are your puppy is about 8 weeks old at the time that you got him/her, as most breeders will keep them with mom until then. 
 Most breeders will vaccinate the puppy at around 6-7 weeks of age for their first DAPP (variations of this vaccine are DHPP/DAPPv/DA2PPv/DPv which depends on manufacturer), this vaccine is a combination shot which includes distemper/adenovirus/parvovirus/parainfluenza. Some breeders will  bring the puppies to a vet check up with this initial vaccine, other breeders may choose to purchase the vaccine and administer it themselves. Along with the first DAPP vaccine puppies will often be dewormed , and the number of times that they are dewormed also vary from breeder to breeder, unfortunately there isn’t a standard approach to deworming schedules. 
       Now that you have your puppy, your duty as a pet owner’s responsibility is to make sure that your little furry friend is well taken care of, and to continue on with his/her puppy vaccines. When puppies are born they will have mom’s antibodies present on their system which helps to fight off viruses, but as they grow older, those maternal antibodies will not protect them any longer.  One of the most common questions I get from pet owners is which vaccines does my puppy need and how often do they need them. 
       The vaccine timeline starts with the first dapp vaccine that the breeder has given. 
       If the first vaccine was given at 6 weeks old, your little one will need a second one at 8 weeks old, and then every 3-4 weeks until he/she reaches 16 weeks of age. Let me break it down for you:

        6 weeks – 1st dapp
        8 weeks – 2nd dapp
       12 weeks – 3rd dapp
       16 weeks – 4th dapp 

     This is the main vaccine  that your puppy will receive and is important to continue with the boosters in order for your furry friend to develop its own immunity and response to them. 
      Of course there are other vaccines that your puppy will most likely need, and one of them it is the Rabies vaccine. This vaccine is required by most places in order to take your puppy for a nail trim, bathing, grooming, anal glands expression, and others. The Rabies vaccine can be given at 12 weeks of age, although some vet clinics will wait until 16 weeks of age. 
        If you intend to board your pooch or taking him/her to daycare, grooming facilities, your pet will probably need to have an up to date Bordetella vaccine. Bordetella or most commonly known as kennel cough vaccine, it affects the upper respiratory system and most animals develop a dry cough. The Bordetella vaccine can be administered anytime after 3 weeks old. 
         There are two other vaccines that are based on lifestyle and not all dogs will be vaccinated for, they are Leptospirosis vaccine and Lyme vaccine. 
         Leptospirosis disease is transmitted by urine of wild life, and if the urine is sitting in a puddle of water and your pet drinks from it he/she could become infected.  The Leptospirosis (or Lepto) vaccine is normally started anytime after 8 weeks old  and it does require a second booster vaccine 3-4 weeks after the initial dose. 
         Lyme disease is transmitted by ticks, thus if the area you may live in has a big occurrence of ticks, this may be something to consider.  The Lyme vaccine  is normally started anytime after 8 weeks old and it does require a second booster vaccine 3-4 weeks after the initial dose. 
Other less common vaccines that some vet clinics can offer include the influenza vaccine and the coronavirus vaccine(very rare).
It is always a good idea to deworm puppies at least one more time and check a fecal sample for parasites. This not only keeps your new puppy healthy, but it also keeps you the human safe as well.

Disclaimer: This blog is meant to be used as a resource tool for pet owners, pet enthusiasts, and anyone who would like to understand a little bit more about how to better care for our pets. As with any information on the internet, please take it with a grain of salt, and always consult with your veterinarian to discuss the best course of action for your furry friend.

The post You’ve got a new puppy, now WHAT? appeared first on The Life of Fido.