Rabies vaccine

[evemac]

I'm watching the most recent season of Call the Midwife where there is a rabid dog - memories of To Kill A Mockingbird, too. Just horrific.
Do antivaccers also not give their pets this vaccine?

[RockRaven]

1. Some do extend their antivax nuttery to their pets, yes.

Which in the case of rabies generates a hazard to oneself/one's family on top of avoidable illness/suffering/death for the pets.

[eppur_se_muova]

2. A rabid fox recently attacked three people in the Tallahassee area. One woman was very badly injured.

Doctors couldn't sew up her wounds right away because of the danger of sealing in infectious agents. They had to irrigate the wounds continuously for a long time before they could start sewing them up. This is within Tallahassee, not far from the University -- not 'out in the country' somewhere.

Also, this:


Yep, unvaccinated pet in that case.

[hlthe2b]

3. State law in all 50 states requires rabies vaccines for dogs (most for cats too)... If a veterinary clinic

has a pet owner come in who refuses rabies for their dog, veterinarians are subject to sanctions if they do not inform the owner that state law requires it and that they and their staff cannot treat or even allow a dog to remain in the clinic unless proof of prior rabies vaccine is presented or they vaccinate them on the spot for rabies. While there might be a new graduate vet here and there who might not realize that, my understanding is they are immediately all but "slapped down" by clinic staff and senior veterinarians if they do not follow suit. This is serious business. Given this ends up being a part of discussions in my ER with animal control, exposed human patients, and state authorities, I am well versed on the legalities and expectations.

So, no. That is not something allowed by law. Obviously the morons that hide away (as do many moronic people that "crime" under the radar) and never present themselves are not going to have officials come door to door. But for all practical purposes they MUST.