Stafford Animal Shelter has received questions about rabiesvaccinations for pets recently, so we passed the question on to Judy Roy,Livingston’s Animal Control Officer.

My name is Judy Roy and I am the Animal Control Officer for theCity of Livingston. Rabies is one of the most serious issues facing those whointeract with animals and is a concern in our community, especially during thewarmer months. I’dlike to share some information to assist animalowners in taking the necessary steps to protect their pets and families. Rabiesis a highly fatal zoonotic (passed from animals to humans) disease. Humanrabies vaccination and treatment are both very expensive. If a person has beenbitten or exposed to rabies, they must receive the extensive rabies treatmentright after exposure – by the time the symptoms and signs of rabies develop itis too late and the person will likely die. There is no treatment for animalsthat are rabid. Because of rabies’ severity - prevention is key; and rabiesvaccinations for your pets are easy, affordable, and required by law.

Rabies, also known as hydrophobia, is a virus capable ofinfecting all warm blooded animals, including livestock. Rabies mainly affectsthe brain and nervous system. The disease is most commonly spread by a bite orscratch from an infected animal. Rabies is called hydrophobia because the sightof water may excite an infected animal. Bats, skunks, raccoons and foxes arethe most likely rabies carriers. Therefore it is extremely important to avoidunfamiliar animals and wildlife. The chance of coming into contact with aninfected animal is as likely in the city as it is in rural areas. Animals thatlive in the city are at risk of exposure to rabies as skunks, raccoons, andfoxes are commonly sighted within city limits. Bats that get into houses are aspecial risk because it is not always noticeable if they bite a person orpet.

A live animal cannot be tested for the rabies virus and onlyobserved for signs and symptoms by a licensed veterinarian. An animal must bedeceased with the brain intact in order to positively confirm if an animal hasrabies. An animal with the rabies virus is not necessarily aggressive and maynot show signs of infection. However, some signs and symptoms include: temperament changes; unprovokedattacks; change in the bark; drooling or the appearance of choking; tremors;lack of coordination; staggering or erratic behavior; paralysis; or respiratoryfailure. For safety reasons, please contact law enforcement or your animalcontrol officer right away if you observe unusual behavior in an animal andsuspect exposure.

An animal with a current rabies vaccine is less likely to bequarantined in the event of a bite or scratch to a human or another animal. Ananimal without a current rabies vaccination is automatically quarantined for aminimum of ten days with a licensed veterinarian. During this time an animalowner may not have contact with their pet. The owner of the animal isresponsible for all costs incurred. To prevent this scenario, why not include arabies vaccination during your pets’ annual wellness exam? The cost of anoffice visit and rabies vaccine varies between providers, but you can expect topay around $50. This amount is far less than the cost of quarantine, andremember that a rabies vaccination for an animal is dramatically cheaper than arabies vaccination for a human.

State law requires that all domestic dogs and cats be vaccinatedagainst rabies. A state licensed veterinarian is the only recognizable personto administer the vaccine. The City of Livingston requires all residents tolicense their dogs and cats for two very specific reasons. The first reason isto have accurate records that provide us the means to contact owners andreunite them with their lost pets. Many people do not realize how much time andeffort is put into keeping at-large animals safe and tracking down their ownersdespite outdated tags or a lack of identification altogether. The second reasonis to ensure pets are protected against rabies with a current vaccine, which inturn protects our community. Rabies prevention is the law because it is a crucialpublic health concern, not a bureaucratic inanity. If you have further medicalquestions, contact your veterinarian. For local licensing requirements, contactyour local animal control officer. I can be reached at 406/823-6011.

JudyRoy has been Livingston’s Animal Control Officer for two years, prior to thatshe was an Animal Caregiver at Stafford Animal Shelter. She is a Livingstonnative, has two grown daughters, and lives with her husband and many adoptedand rescued pets.