05/28/2026
Do you know veterinarians have a rabies exposure risk of more than 300 times that of the general population?
Rabies is a serious disease which without rapid preventative treatment, is almost always fatal. You cannot treat rabies once symptoms set in; all you can do is prevent it. This is why by law in California, your pets are required to have rabies vaccines.
In most cases the rabies virus is transmitted through a bite wound which usually involves wildlife. When wildlife starts coming into contact with our pet population pets become infected and when pets get infected, human infection is not far behind.
The most common wildlife species to spread rabies to domestic animals and humans in California are skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes, and coyotes. Wildlife, especially bats, can gain access to indoor areas where they can come in close contact with pets and people.
Thankfully rabies prevention is readily available with vaccination and limiting exposure to wildlife. Is your pet up to date on their rabies vaccine?
