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Suwanee Animal Hospital
85 Buford Hwy, Suwanee, GA 30024
Tel: (770) 271-8716
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| Rabies
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Annual Rabies vaccination is required by law in the state of Georgia.
All warm-blooded animal (dogs, cats, livestock, wildlife, etc.) can become infected with the rabies virus. Because rabies is
also a threat to humans, all pets should be vaccinated.
Rabies is caused by a virus that attacks nerve tissue.
The disease develops slowly over 10 days to several months. Death always occurs once a rabies-infected animal shows
signs of disease.
Rabies generally takes one of two forms in animals. 1) "Dumb" rabies, where the lower jaw
drops, excessive drooling occurs, and the animal avoids contact. 2) Furious rabies, where the animal becomes unnaturally
aggressive.
In North America, most rabies exists in wildlife, especially raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats.
Rabies is spread by bites or saliva of infected animals. Therefore, an unvaccinated dog or cat involved in a fight with a
wild animal should be suspect for rabies. When rabies is diagnosed, animals must be euthanized (humanely deceased).
If humans are exposed, they can be vaccinated successfully in early stages of the disease. Treatment, however,
is unpleasant and costly.
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