In the 1950's, this fatal virus, which infects all warm blooded animals including humans, reached epidemic proportions among dogs in the United States. Widespread pet vaccinations greatly reduced rabies among domestic dogs and cats. Now, rabies is spreading rapidly among wild animals, especially raccoons. Rabies is spilling over into the pet population resulting in greater numbers of infected dogs and cats. Rabies is spread through a bite or contact with an infected animal's saliva.
Many animals can carry rabies for weeks or months without showing symptoms.
Once signs appear, death usually follows within days. Dogs or cats that have a current rabies vaccination at the time of exposure must be given a booster rabies vaccination within 72 hours of exposure to the rabid animal. It is recommended that animals that do not have a current rabies vaccination when exposed be destroyed.