Pet Owners Can Help Protect Their Animals Against Rabies, Canada

Main Category: Veterinary
Article Date: 13 Feb 2008 - 15:00 PDT

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The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) would like to remind pet owners of precautions they can take to protect their animals from rabies.

Rabies is a federally reportable viral disease that attacks the central nervous system of warm-blooded animals, including humans. Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal. Rabies is transmitted through saliva-primarily through bite wounds. It can also be spread when infected saliva comes in contact with a scratch, open wound, or mucous membrane, such as those in the mouth, nasal cavity or eyes. The incubation period of rabies can be up to six months.

It is an owner's responsibility to get their pet vaccinated against rabies, and to ensure that their pet's vaccinations are current. As some pets may be too young to be vaccinated, pet buyers should only purchase or obtain puppies, kittens and other young pets from a reputable supplier who can verify that the animal's mother is healthy and appropriately vaccinated. Questions regarding rabies vaccinations should be discussed with your local veterinarian.

Since rabies is usually spread by bites from an infected wild animal, pet owners should try to prevent contact between pets and wild animals. Pets that are bitten or injured by a wild animal should be checked immediately by a veterinarian.

In the interest of protecting public and animal health, the CFIA will apply appropriate measures when dealing with a pet exposed to and possibly infected with rabies. Animals that have not been vaccinated must undergo a strict six month quarantine or be euthanized. Those that have been appropriately vaccinated may be dealt with in a more moderate manner depending on the situation.

If you have possession, care or control of an animal suspected of having rabies, or that has been exposed to rabies, please contact your local veterinarian.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency