State law requires dogs and cats to be vaccinated for rabies by four months of age and to receive another vaccination one year later, after which they may be vaccinated once a year or every three years depending on the vaccine used. Vaccinations are a critical part of the City’s efforts to keep Carrollton pets safe and free from disease.
Rabies is a viral infection most commonly transmitted through bite wounds by high-risk animals such as bats, skunks, coyotes, foxes, and raccoons, all of which can be found in Carrollton. Once a pet has been bitten by an affected animal, the virus travels through the nerves to the spinal cord, in order to reach the brain. Symptoms can include aggression, lethargy, seizure, drooling, and an abnormal mental state. As there is no cure for rabies, state law requires the municipal animal services department where the incident occurred, to take action. Vaccinated pets that’ve been exposed to the virus must immediately be placed in strict isolation for 45 days for monitoring. Pets that have not been vaccinated must be isolated for 90 days after exposure while a series of rabies vaccines is administered or in severe cases, the pet will be euthanized.
To help prevent the spread of this disease and to keep pets safe, the City of Carrollton is offering discounted rabies vacations for only $5, along with free pet registration, on Saturday, March 22, at the Carrollton Animal Services and Adoption Center (2247 Sandy Lake Road). Carrollton residents are invited to bring their families out to this free event that will include hot dogs, pretzels, drinks, face painting, a bounce house, and wildlife information. Animal Services will also be giving away stainless steel tumblers for hot or cold beverages, with a $10 donation to the Center. Although the event will run from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., rabies vaccinations will only be available from 10 a.m. until noon. If guests are not in line by noon, they will be unable to receive the discounted veterinary services.
On March 13, a skunk infected with rabies made its way into a Carrollton homeowners’ fenced-in backyard. The skunk was killed by the family’s pet dog. As the dog was not vaccinated, the owners made the difficult decision to euthanize the animal. Stop by the $5 Rabies Vaccination and Free Pet Registration Event to enjoy multiple activities knowing you’ve taken precautionary measures to keep the pets in your family safe for a long time.
While a rabies vaccination can help a pet fight off an infection if they’re exposed, it is not a cure for rabies. The vaccination takes approximately one month before taking full effect.
