If the bite is from a wild animal, it should be euthanized and submitted for testing. Unfortunately, the wild animal often escapes and cannot be tested. If escape occurs, a physician should decide if the victim should undergo post-exposure prophylaxis. It is critical to keep pets vaccinated against this disease. Please contact your local veterinarian or health department for vaccine protocols.
Some areas require annual vaccination, while others allow a three-year vaccine.
Recent outbreaks of rabies in Texas and Florida point to the need for prevention. This is one disease we can and must control. Some counties require that both cats and dogs be immunized, while others mandate only for dogs. Although cases of rabies are few and far between, the disease is serious enough that immunization is highly recommended. More information on rabies is available at The Department of Rabies at the Pasteur Institute .