Why does my pet need a rabies vaccine?
What is Rabies?
Rabies is a preventable viral disease that is spread through a bite, but scratches and saliva contact are also possible routes of transmission for the virus. The virus affects the central nervous system. Unlike people, there is not an anti-rabies prophylaxis available for pets.
How does a cat or dog get exposed to rabies?
The most common carriers of rabies in the United States are bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes. In Ohio, the most common carriers are bats and raccoons. More cats than dogs are reported rabid in the United States.
What are the signs and symptoms of rabies?
The early signs of rabies are behavior changes. The pet may appear more aggressive, fearful or friendlier that normal. Some animals develop a sensitivity to light and sound. Fever, lethargy, no appetite, seizures and excessive excitability are common. In the final stages of the disease, the animal loses its ability to swallow, has excessive drooling of saliva which sometimes is called “foaming at the mouth.” Once these clinical signs appear, the animal usually dies within five days. 
What is the incubation period for rabies?
An incubation period is how long it takes from the time a pet is exposed to the virus until it starts to show signs of the disease. Typically it takes 3 to 8 weeks, although is some cases it can take up to a year. The farther the wound is from the brain and spinal cord, the longer the incubation period will be. It also depends on severity of the bite.
How do you test for rabies?
The only way to test for rabies is by an examination of the brain tissue in a dead animal. There is no way to test for rabies in a live animal. In Ohio the body is sent to the Ohio Department of Health lab.
What should you do if your pet bites or is bitten?
In Ohio, if a pet has bitten a human or another domestic animal it must be quarantined for 10 days, then have an exam by a veterinarian. 
Vaccinated pets that are current on their rabies vaccine that have had an encounter with a stray animal or high risk wildlife, such as a bat, raccoon, skunk or fox, will need to be re-vaccinated immediately, and kept under observation for 45 days. They will also need an exam by a veterinarian 10 days after the encounter.
Pets with expired rabies vaccines will be evaluated on a case by case basis by the health department.
Unvaccinated pets should be humanly euthanized and have their body sent to the Ohio Health Department lab for rabies testing.
If euthanasia is not an option, your pet should be kept in strict isolation for 6 months. On the 5th month you will need to vaccinate your pet with a rabies vaccine.
Please call the Humane Society in your county for assistance if your pet has an encounter with high risk wildlife such as a bat, raccoon, skunk or fox. If the wildlife can be safely captured, it needs to be humanly euthanized and sent to a lab for testing rabies. If the wildlife is killed, please do not dispose of the remains, as the body will still need to be sent in for rabies testing. The fresher the specimen you have to send to the lab the better. You may refrigerate the body but never freeze it. The lab cannot test brain tissue that is frozen. All exposures should be reported to your county health department within 24 hours.
When should I vaccinate my pet against rabies?
Dogs and cats are vaccinated against rabies starting at 12 – 16 weeks old, again one year later, and then every three years for the pet’s life.
Additional Information
It is a law in Hamilton County and Clermont County that all dogs and cats must have a current rabies vaccine.
We offer a vaccine clinic on the second Thursday of every month from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. No appointment is needed.
City of Cincinnati Department of Health
(513) 352-2922
Hamilton County Department of Health
(513) 946-7800
Clermont County Department of Health
(513) 732-7499
Hamilton County SPCA
(513) 541-6100
Clermont County Pet to the Rescue Humane Society
(513) 732-8854