The Importance of Rabies Vaccinations For Pets

Posted on November 2, 2022 by virginia

As a pet owner, it’s important to do everything you can to keep your furry friend healthy and safe. That’s why vaccinating against the Rabies Virus is so important. Continue below to learn more about the Rabies virus, plus how to keep your pet vaccinated against this deadly threat.

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Scary Facts About the Rabies Virus

Rabies is a deadly virus that affects the nervous system of mammals. It is most often transmitted through the bite of an infected animal and can be fatal if left untreated. Dogs are the most common source of rabies transmission to humans, and though vaccinations have made the disease much less common in developed countries, it is still a serious public health concern in many parts of the world.

There are two forms of rabies: Furious rabies is characterized by aggression and lack of fear, while Paralytic rabies progresses to paralysis and death. The incubation period for rabies is typically two to 12 weeks but can be as long as several months. Early symptoms may include fever, headache, and general malaise, followed by more specific symptoms such as seizures, hallucinations, and paralysis. Sadly, there is no cure.

Rabies Vaccines for Dogs and Cats

If you suspect that your dog has been exposed to rabies, it is important to seek veterinary care immediately. There is no cure for rabies, but prompt treatment can be effective in preventing the disease from taking hold. Vaccination is the best defense against rabies, and all dogs should be up to date on their shots. If you live in an area where rabies is common, talk to your veterinarian about whether your dog should also receive a booster vaccine.

Rabies vaccines are available for both dogs and cats. By being aware of the risks and taking steps to protect your pets, you can help keep both your furry friend and your family safe from this deadly virus. The vaccine is typically given as a series of shots, starting at around four months of age. In most cases, vaccinating your pet is the best way to keep them safe from this deadly disease.

The Link Between Bats and Rabies

There is a strong link between bats and rabies. Bats are the main host of the rabies virus, and many people who are bitten by bats contract rabies. However, there are also many myths about bats and rabies. Bats are the main host of the rabies virus. In the United States, most rabies cases in animals are in bats. However, only a small percentage of bats carry the virus. Most bats that carry rabies do not show any signs of the disease.

There are many myths about bats and rabies. One myth is that all bats have rabies. This is not true. Only a small percentage of bats carry the virus. Another myth is that you can get rabies from just being near a bat. This is also not true. You can only get rabies if you are bitten or scratched by a bat that has the virus. If you are bitten or scratched by a bat, wash the wound with soap and water and see a doctor immediately.

Consider Localized Bat Control

The best way to protect yourself and your pets from rabies is to avoid contact with bats. If your property is near a local bat population, it is recommended to implement an effective bat abatement plan. Contact a licensed and insured Richmond VA bat removal and control company for assistance you can trust.

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Learn About Rabies Awareness For World Rabies Day

Posted on September 28, 2021 by virginia

Today is World Rabies Day!

In support of Rabies awareness and protection, take this opportunity to review the most important facts about the Rabies Virus, including where you can get it, how to protect your pets and loved ones from exposure, and much more. Continue reading to get started and then spread your newfound awareness to friends and family!

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What is Rabies?

Rabies is a fatal viral infection caused by the Rabies Lyssavirus (RABV) virus. Once contracted, there is no cure. It travels directly to the central nervous system, subsequently causing inflammation in the brain and spinal cord. People and canines are the most common victims of rabies infection and fatalities.

Common Carriers of the Rabies Virus

Although raccoons are the most common carrier of the Rabies Virus, bats are another pressing threat. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, in 2018, 93% of rabies cases were from wild animals, and bats were at the top of the list of carriers. They further reported that in 2019, 7 out of 10 Rabies deaths in the United States were caused by bats. Many other species of wildlife can be carriers too, including birds, squirrels, skunks, coyotes, and foxes.

Rabies Vaccines for Pets

In order to help spread the rabies virus among people and pets, it is vital to have your dogs and cats vaccinated on an annual basis. Dogs are the most common victim of rabies fatalities because they are curious, outdoor explorers who often come into contact with rabid animals like raccoons or bats. Talk to your veterinarian about your dog or cat’s rabies vaccination schedule recommendation. Routine pet vaccination efforts coupled with the availability of rabies-fighting vaccines and medications is the best approach for fighting the rabies pandemic around the world.

Rabies Vaccinations for People

Because the United States averages 1 to 3 cases of humans contracting the Rabies Virus, there is no CDC or government-decreed recommendation for children or adults to seek out routine rabies vaccinations.

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

Upon potential or known exposure, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends immediately seeking Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is an antiviral medication taken after you or a pet is exposed to the Rabies virus. Such exposure can happen through a scratch or bite, or in any case in which the bat’s infected saliva enters the target’s bloodstream. This medical treatment is designed to stop the virus from spreading to the central nervous system, making time of the utmost essence.

Are you dealing with a nuisance bat problem in or around your property? Contact Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for prompt and professional bat removal and control you can afford. We serve residential and commercial clients.

You Should Also Read:

When Should a Bat Be Captured and Tested for Rabies?
Will Bats Attack My Dog?
What You Want to Know About Bats and Rabies

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Why This is the Time of Year to Get a Rabies Vaccine

Posted on May 13, 2021 by virginia

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It is rabies season, so now is the right time to get your rabies shots. Be sure your loved ones are vaccinated, including your pets!

Wildlife is most active when weather is warm and mild. This means it is Rabies season. Animals like raccoons, squirrels, chipmunks, opossum, fox, and bats are all common carriers of the Rabies virus. And although there are very few reported cases of human exposure every year (1 to 3 cases reported annually, according to the CDC), it is still important to take as much precaution as possible to ensure you and your loved ones are not affected. Keep in mind that curious outdoor pets like cats and dogs are also common targets for Rabies infection, so you’ll need to consider their safety as well.

Don’t Take the Risk – Get Vaccinated for Rabies

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

“The rabies virus is transmitted through saliva or brain/nervous system tissue. You can only get rabies by coming in contact with these specific bodily excretions and tissues.”

It is also 100% treatable so long as medical attention is sought immediately after exposure. Without treatment, rabies is 100% fatal since it causes an acute viral encephalitis. Once symptoms start to become evident, there is no recourse or cure.

Rabies Shots

For humans, the Rabies virus is 100% preventable with the right vaccinations. Because adults in good health are rarely exposed, shots are not necessary unless someone is bitten or exposed. The best course of action adults can take is to adhere to adequate animal vaccination and control standards. Furthermore, children are at a higher risk of contracting Rabies, so be sure they are protected with the proper vaccines if they are ever exposed or likely to be exposed.

If exposed, a victim would have to start a treatment schedule consisting of one dose of immune globulin and four doses of rabies vaccine, all given over a 14-day period. This regime is known as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

The Rabies vaccine consists of 3 types of cells:

► Human Cells
► Chick Embryo Cells
► Fetal Rhesus Lung Cells

A vaccination program is recommended for those who are at a higher risk of exposure, like veterinarians, animal handlers, laboratory workers, cave spelunkers, and explorers traveling to areas of the world where rabies exposure is likely. These individuals would get a 3-part dose of Rabies immune globulin, starting with an initial vaccine beforehand, a second dose 7 days later, and a final dose 21 to 28 days after the first dose.

Where to Get a Rabies Vaccine

Contact your Primary Care Physician’s (PCP) office for more information on vaccines.

Are you dealing with a population of nuisance bats around your house, which are common carriers of the Rabies virus? Contact Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for affordable and prompt bat removal services in Virginia, including Richmond, Williamsburg, Hampton, and all surrounding areas. We serve residential and commercial clients.

You Should Also Read:

Top 3 Signs That Suggest You Have Bats in Your House
Can Bat Poop Make Me Sick?
Top 3 Most Common Bat Diseases in Virginia

What You Want to Know About Bats and Rabies

Posted on January 21, 2020 by virginia

If your home or commercial building is located near woods, forests, or a large body of water, such as a pond, river, or lake, you can safely bet that there are local bat populations surrounding the property. For this reason, bat infestations are quite common among properties located in such areas. As a result of a bat infestation, properties usually experience extensive structural damages. However, bats also pose several health and safety risks. One of the most common is the Rabies Virus.

If you are unsure about the facts you know regarding bats and rabies, continue reading to clear up the confusion and learn exactly what you want to know.

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Facts About the Rabies Virus

The fact is, only a small percentage of bats catch rabies. Researchers at Indiana State University conducted a nearly 40 year-long study, testing more than 5,500 big brown bats in the mid-west. Of those numbers, only 3.1% tested positive for rabies. From this study, researchers also concluded that October seems to be the time of year when rabies rates peak.

When contracted, the rabies virus is virtually 100% fatal. That is why rabies vaccines for pets are so vital, especially if they are outdoor pets. When a bat is sick with the rabies virus, they will often segregate themselves from their colonies, which is why so many are found on the ground. If you find a bat on the ground, please beware that it could be infected of rabies or other types of transmissible disease. See our blog, “What To Do if You Find a Bat” to learn some safety tips for managing such a situation.

How Rabies is Contracted

Rabies is contracted when the virus enters the bloodstream through bodily fluids, such as blood, saliva, or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, and throat. Although the virus enters the bloodstream, it actually travels through the host’s central nervous system, which means it reaches the brain at incredible rates, usually within weeks. The most common way those become infected is being bitten or scratched by an infected animal. You cannot get rabies by simply petting a rabid animal, nor touching their blood or droppings. Contracting the rabies virus any other way is very uncommon. Inhaling airborne rabies virus is a possibility, but typically only laboratory workers are at risk of this types of non-bite exposure.

As soon you believe a person or pet has been exposed to the virus, it is important to seek medical treatment immediately to prevent death. If you awaken in your bedroom and find a bat on the wall, you must still get medical care instantly because you may not know if you’ve been exposed. It is important to stay away from wild animals, and simply admired them from afar, to prevent being exposed to deadly or transmissible diseases such as Rabies. If you are concerned about bats around your house, contact a local Virginia bat removal and control company for inspections and bat-proofing services.

Virginia Bat Removal and Control Services

Call Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for safe and humane bat removal and control assistance in Old Dominion. We serve all of Virginia, including Richmond, Petersburg, Short Pump, Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Newport News, Virginia Beach, and all of their surrounding areas, with 24 hour bat removal, as well as, numerous residential and commercial bat exclusion services, such as bat cleanup and restorations for bat damages. We even provide insurance work! Contact us at 804-729-9097 to request a free estimate, anytime.

How Many Bats Have Rabies?

Posted on May 13, 2019 by virginia

In our last blog, When Should a Bat Be Captured and Tested for Rabies?, you learned a little about the threat of a fatal virus called Rabies. However, there are several misconceptions regarding the Rabies virus and its impact on our local bat populations. Fortunately, there is more than enough data to help us clear up the confusion surrounding the spread of this deadly disease. If you live near forests, woods, or large bodies of water, or work in an environment where bat exposure is possible, you may be very interested in learning the truth.

Continue reading to learn more about the Rabies virus, including how much of the bat population is actually affected, and what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones from threat.

The Rabies Virus

Let’s start this discussion by reviewing what Rabies actually is, medically and biologically speaking. You see, Rabies is a virus that attacks the central nervous system and causes inflammation of the brain. It is caused by Lyssavirus, which is a genus of RNA viruses, and transmitted by the blood or saliva of a host or infected animal.

Symptoms are often an onset of several reactions to the virus, initially including headache, fever, and a tingling sensation at the infection site, and eventually maturing into violent movements, loss of muscle control, aggression, confusion, and loss of consciousness. Once symptoms appear, death will soon follow.

Rabid Animals

The natural hosts for the Rabies virus are mammals and vertebrates, which are referred to as rabies vector species. This means that any mammal, including humans, can be carriers and transmitters of the disease. One of the most common animals that are given the stigma of rabies are bats. But the truth is, less than half of 1% of all bats in the world actually carry rabies (batworld.org). However, there is still a need for caution.

You should treat every bat as if it is a carrier by simply keeping your distance. Bats are protected by law, and serve a vital ecological and economical importance to our society, so it is important to never attempt to touch, harm, trap, or kill bats. Instead, admire them from afar, and if they become a nuisance to your property, enlist the help of a licensed Virginia bat control company for safe and humane service.

Rabies Prevention

Although once contracted Rabies is 100% fatal, it is also 100% preventable. First and foremost, be sure to have your pets vaccinated on an annual basis for the Rabies virus. Next, be sure to have yourself vaccinated if you work, live, or frequent places that put you at a higher risk of rabid animal exposure, such as zoo workers, vet clinic staff, spelunkers, miners, lumberjacks, animal control workers, wilderness jobs, and more.

Virginia Bat Removal and Control

Call Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 when you need prompt and professional Virginia bat removal and control you can afford. We use safe and humane methods to deliver effective 24 hour bat control for residential and commercial properties throughout Virginia. We serve all of Virginia, including Richmond, Petersburg, Short Pump, Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Newport News, Virginia Beach, and all of their surrounding areas.