10/07/2026
Rabies update:
“ Rabies vaccine is associated with a number of serious diseases, and these include: autoimmune diseases such as hemolytic anemia, polyarthritis, thyroid disease, anaphylactic shock, epilepsy, vaccine injection site cancer (fibrosarcoma), and polyneuropathy (the muscles/nerves are affected).”
Rabies Outbreak?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning of an increase in animal rabies cases and human exposures across the country. At the same time, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is preparing for its annual airdrop of millions of fishmeal-coated rabies vaccine sachets across parts of the Southeast. The goal is to vaccinate wildlife and help prevent the spread of this deadly disease.
Last week, the CDC issued a Health Alert Network advisory after reporting a 17% increase in questions about human exposure to rabid or potentially rabid animals during July and August, compared with the same period in 2025.
Raccoons are the primary wildlife source of rabies in the region. Each year, the USDA distributes approximately 6.5 million vaccine sachets in targeted areas. Similar vaccination programs have been successful in controlling canine rabies in coyotes and a rabies variant affecting gray foxes. As rabies is eliminated in certain areas, officials plan to gradually move the raccoon vaccination zone farther east.
Cow tested positive
A recent case in Minnesota also highlights why rabies awareness remains so important. The Minnesota Board of Animal Health confirmed that a cow in Brown County tested positive for rabies last week. Thirteen cows were subsequently quarantined, and nine people were advised to receive rabies post-exposure treatment.
The cow’s owner initially found the heifer lying flat with her head down. After a veterinarian examined her that day, the owner gave the cow oral medication using bare hands.
The following day, another veterinarian examined the cow and also administered oral medication without gloves. One day later, a third veterinarian euthanized the animal after she developed more obvious neurological signs, including uncoordinated hind legs, high-stepping, vocalizing, excessive salivation, and a high fever. Testing later confirmed rabies.
What you need to know about Rabies
Rabies is a relatively uncommon viral disease that affects mammals, causing inflammation in the brain, otherwise known as encephalitis. It is spread via bite wounds from other animals; in North America the primary reservoirs for the disease are bats, skunks and raccoons. The virus travels from the bite wound, through the nervous system, and eventually to the brain. The disease can be treated prior to reaching the brain, but is inevitably fatal if it has time to spread.
The signs of Rabies start similar to many viral infections; flu like symptoms of fever, lethargy, decreased energy and decreased appetite. The virus can take anywhere from 2-6 weeks to spread from the bite wound to the brain. Once in the brain the ‘classic’ Old Yeller clinical signs can be seen: aggressive, erratic behavior, otherwise known as the furious phase. This then proceeds to the paralytic phase with increased salivation, loss of muscle control, paralysis, and eventually death as the breathing system is affected.
Incidence of Rabies
The incidence of Rabies in North America is relatively low, with virtually all of the cases occurring in the Eastern United States. In Canada in 2011, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency reported 1 dog positive in Quebec, and 2 cats positive in Saskatchewan and Manitoba ( 3 animals total). British Columbia’s last positive case was a cat in 2007. In 2009 the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in the United States reported 300 cases of Rabies in cats, 81 cases in dogs, and 4 human cases. The North American dog and cat population is estimated at 130 million, so the incidence of Rabies is approximately .003%, which means that it is extremely rare.
Rabies Vaccine
Rabies is easily preventable with vaccines, but there are concerns as to the timing of the vaccine, the vaccine side effects, and how often it needs to be given. Most veterinarians advise giving the first rabies vaccine at 12 weeks, followed up with a booster 1 year later, then to be given every 1-3 years thereafter. Rabies vaccine is associated with a number of serious diseases, and these include: autoimmune diseases such as hemolytic anemia, polyarthritis, thyroid disease, anaphylactic shock, epilepsy, vaccine injection site cancer (fibrosarcoma), and polyneuropathy (the muscles/nerves are affected).
Duration of Immunity (How long does the vaccine provide protection)
The American Animal Hospital Association recommends that all pets, regardless of whether they are indoor or outdoor pets, be vaccinated against rabies. This protects pets if a bat ever gets in the home, or if a cat or dog comes home with a bat in its mouth. I don't agree, I would not vaccinate my own indoor cat, and give limited Rabies vaccine to my dog.
The risks of the vaccines need to be weighed against the risks of getting the disease. Based on the real health risks, my suggestions are to wait until your dog or cat is 6 months of age before giving the first rabies vaccine. Do not give it in combination with other vaccines, and avoid giving it if your pet is sick in any way.
Rabies vaccine boosters, once every 7 years?
Depending on provincial or state laws, (as in many require you to have the rabies vaccine at certain intervals), I would advise having a rabies titre check performed by your veterinarian at 1 year, and only revaccinating if the titre level is not deemed to be protective. Immunologist Dr. Ronald Schultz’s has studies showing that dogs have antibody titres with rabies immunity 7 years after vaccination. It may be that the rabies vaccine given at 6 months of age can give upwards of 7 years of immunity. I would not re-vaccinate my own pet until after a titer showed declining levels.
Heal Your Pet At Home!
Best Wishes,
Dr. Andrew
P.S. Rabies is a very serious disease in pets, an in spite of the increase in positive wildlife cases, but the risks of your dog or cat contracting it is extremely low.
The rabies vaccine itself is one of the more potent veterinary vaccines, with a host of side effects. As a pet owner, you should carefully consider vaccinating your pet for this disease, giving it as infrequent as possible, and discussing the use of antibody titres with your veterinarian. Your pet may be fully protected and no longer need the vaccine.
P.P.S. Protecting against more common diseases is much more important, such as immune, degenerative, metabolic related diseases and cancer.
Those are serious diseases which you may be able to help prevent, using antioxidants, natural anti-inflammatories, probiotics, immune supportive ingredients such as colostrum.
