The importance of vaccines and how they work

By: Terrificpets Staff

Preventative, routine rabies vaccines are the only way to keep your pet safe, be it a dog, cat or ferret. Most other domestic animals are not vaccinated for rabies unless there is a suspected contact with a rabid animal or there is some epidemic or outbreak of rabies within a geographical area. Humans, unless they work in a high risk profession such as a vet or veterinary clinic worker, an animal control officer or someone that has direct contact with imported animals for zoos or wildlife areas, are rarely vaccinated preventatively against rabies. This is because the new human rabies vaccines are highly effective provided they are given within six days after the bite and are followed through with the five recommended shots over a 28 day period. In addition the new vaccines include two immunoglobulin shots that are given at the bite area and through another injection away from the bite itself. No longer are the shots given into the abdomen, meaning this is much less painful that the previous treatments.…