Why Your Pet Needs a Rabies Vaccine

Written by Pet Wellness Clinics. Medically reviewed by Dinaz Lahewala, DVM, Medical Director, Pet Wellness Clinics.

A rabies vaccine is one of the simplest, most important things you will ever do for your pet, and the good news is that it takes almost no effort. You already do a lot: the food, the walks, the belly rubs, the "are you okay, buddy?" checks when they seem a little off. Keeping them protected from rabies belongs right alongside all of it.

Rabies has a scary reputation, and it earns it. Despite that, rabies is also one of the most preventable diseases out there. A quick, routine vaccine takes the risk from serious to almost none. That is the whole story, and it is a happy one.

Here is what rabies is, why it matters, and the simple step that keeps your pet and the people around you safe.

What Is Rabies?

Rabies is a virus that affects the brain and nervous system of mammals, which includes dogs, cats, and people. It usually spreads through the saliva of an infected animal, most often from a bite.

Here is the part that makes prevention so important. Once an animal or a person starts showing signs of rabies, there is no reliable way to treat it, and it is almost always deadly. There is no "let's wait and see".

The flip side is what makes this an easy win. We cannot cure rabies once it takes hold, but we can stop it from ever getting started. That is exactly what the vaccine does.

How Pets Are Exposed to Rabies

In Indiana, rabies lives mainly in wildlife. The carriers reported most often in the state are:

• Bats – the most frequently reported source of rabies in Indiana
• Raccoons
• Skunks
• Foxes

Pets usually cross paths with these animals in ordinary ways: a curious dog investigating the yard at dusk, a cat slipping outside for an afternoon, or a bat finding its way indoors through an open door or chimney.

A vaccinated pet helps stop rabies from passing from wild animals to people. That is why keeping your pet protected helps your whole community, not just your own pet.

Signs of Rabies in Pets

Rabies changes how an animal behaves, often in ways that feel unsettling and out of character.

Signs of rabies can include:

• A big personality shift, like a friendly pet turning aggressive, or a wild animal suddenly acting tame and unafraid of people
• Drooling or foaming at the mouth
• Trouble swallowing
• Stumbling, weakness, or not being able to move normally
• Seeming confused or restless

If you ever see a wild animal behaving strangely, keep your distance and call animal control. If you notice signs of rabies in your pet, call us right away at 317-516-5921.

The Rabies Vaccine Makes It Easy to Protect Your Pet

The rabies vaccine is safe, it works, and it is the single best thing you can do to protect your pet. It is what we call a core vaccine, which means we recommend it for every dog and cat, no matter their lifestyle.

The Rabies vaccination is also required by law in Indiana for dogs, cats, and ferrets. Keeping your pet up to date is both good care and something that matters for licensing, boarding, grooming, and travel.

Indiana law requires puppies, kittens, and ferrets age 3 months and older be continuously vaccinated:

• Initial vaccine at 3 months
• Booster within 12 months of initial vaccine
• Revaccination based on vaccine received – annual or triennially (3 years)

Our vet team will handle the timing for you and keep record of your pet's vaccinations that are obtained at any Pet Wellness Clinic.

If Your Pet Has a Run-In with Wildlife

A bite or a wildlife encounter is an emergency, no matter the time of day. If your pet is bitten by another animal, or tangles with wildlife you think might be rabid, here is what to do:

1. Do not try to catch or handle the wild animal yourself.
2. Call your vet right away, even if your pet seems totally fine. If it is after hours, Airport Animal Emergi-Center (AAEC) is open for these types of pet emergencies.
3. Call your local animal control or health department to report it.
4. Have your pet's vaccine records handy. A current rabies vaccine can make a real difference in how everything plays out.

If a person gets bitten or exposed, call a doctor or your local health department quickly. There is effective treatment for people, but it works best when it starts soon after the exposure.

Peace of Mind Is the Whole Point

Rabies is a heavy thing to think about and a heartbreaking thing to go through. The reason most pet owners never have to face it is simple: a routine vaccine. Kept current, the vaccine protects you and your pet so you never have to worry about it.

Is your pet's rabies vaccine up to date?

Staying protected is simple, and so is taking the next step:

• If you are a patient at Pet Wellness Clinics, your pet's records are available on the PetPage app.
• If your pet is not a patient or is past due and needs the vaccine, schedule as soon as possible:

Our Pet Prime membership includes your pet's rabies vaccine, along with their other routine vaccinations, as part of the plan. Learn more about what Pet Prime covers >

This article is for general information and does not replace personalized advice from your veterinarian. For guidance specific to your pet, please contact Pet Wellness Clinics or visit https://www.in.gov/rabies/.