How is rabies prevented?
There are vaccines available for most domestic animals that are effective in preventing rabies should they be exposed to an animal with rabies. These vaccines should be administered by a licensed veterinarian, and boosters given as recommended by the vaccine manufacturer. Any type of animal for which a licensed vaccine exists should be vaccinated, and these include dogs, cats, ferrets, horses, cows, sheep, and goats. If you think your pet or livestock may have been exposed to a rabid animal, report it to your veterinarian. In humans, rabies can be prevented by reducing your exposure to unvaccinated animals, unfamiliar animals, and wild or exotic animals for which vaccines do not exist. In the case of exposure to a potentially rabid animal, there is a Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) treatment which, when administered appropriately, can prevent the disease in exposed persons. There is no PEP treatment available for animals.
