Report all animal bites to the local animal control. Talk to your local veterinarian about appropriate timing intervals between vaccinations. About Cook County Animal and Rabies Control The Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control was established in 1954, when the Illinois Animal Control Act was enacted by the state legislature during a state-wide rabies epidemic. There are a number of different brands of rabies vaccines for cats available on the market, and each brand comes with manufacturer guidelines that must be adhered to by the administering veterinarian. The first sign of rabies is usually a change in the animal's behavior. However, if feral cats are presented to a veterinarian for sterilization, they must be vaccinated. Cats, dogs and livestock can get rabies, too, if they are not vaccinated. Although bats can carry the rabies virus, most bats are not infected with it. Since then, we have a better understanding of this rare phenomenon and its myriad causes, which include injections as well as foreign materials other than vaccines, such as steroids, antibiotics, and suture. The risk of a cat developing an injection-site sarcoma is small. When an animal contracts the rabies virus from a bite it travels through the nerves to the brain. Do not feed, touch or adopt wild animals or stray dogs or cats. The most common systemic reactions have included malaise, headache, nausea, muscle aches, and dizziness in up to 20% of patients. There is no reliable observation period established for non-domestic animals. Bats have very small teeth and marks made by these teeth may not be easy to see. Awareness that bats can be a source of the rabies virus can help people protect themselves. No. The major differences between feline rabies vaccines are whether they contain an adjuvant or not. Rabies is a fatal disease in all mammals, including humans. The first rabies vaccine was administered in 1885. 130A-185. Rabies is a rare disease in the United States, but it’s almost always deadly. From January 1-August 15, 2007, the Illinois Department of Public Health already reports 58 rabies-positive bats in Illinois (6.6% of bats tested), compared to 46 rabies-positive bats (3.5% of bats tested) during all of 2006. Do I need any paperwork to obtain a license? The presence of a bat in a home, or any contact with a bat, represents a possible hazard for rabies and should be reported to the local health department so that the circumstances can be evaluated. Injection-site sarcomas were first identified in the early 1990s. Yes. If an animal owner fails to comply with these requirements, the owner may be charged with a Class 1 mis… I did not have my dog licensed last year. Cap chimneys with screens. This new legislation (SB 131) amends the Animal Control Act and requires all cat owners to have their pets vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. Yes. That number was up significantly compared with 2017, when only 58 rabid bats were identified statewide. Vaccine injections are given in the arm. Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system. The animal should be captured without damaging its head and only if direct contact with the animal can be avoided. Rabies is usually acquired from a bite or scratch from an infected animal. How Often Do Cats Need to Get a Rabies Vaccine? Most of the recent cases of human rabies that have occurred in the United States have been caused by rabies virus from bats. General. The provisions of this Chapter 16 issued under the Rabies Prevention and Control in Domestic Animals and Wildlife Act (3 P. S. § § 455.1—455.12); act of July 22, 1913 (P. L. 928, No. After vaccination, the immune system is trained to recognize infectious agents by producing proteins called antibodies or activating specific cells to kill the agents. Since 1995 in the United States, more than 7,000 animals per year--most of them wild--have been diagnosed as having the disease. This type of vaccination (pre-exposure vaccination) consists of three rabies vaccine injections. Will I be fined for not having my pets vaccinated? Immunizations, also known as vaccines are one of our greatest defenses against many serious illnesses. Your dog is required to have a current rabies vaccine in order to obtain a license. Vaccinated pets serve as a buffer between rabid wildlife and humans, so be sure dogs and cats are up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations. Citizens and veterinarians should report any animal bites or any bat exposures to appropriate authorities. The virus is still present in populations of wild animals. Encourage children to immediately tell an adult if they are bitten or scratched by an animal. The animal appears fine during this incubation period which can last from 1-3 months. When a vaccinated cat encounters these agents in the future, it rapidly generates antibodies and activates the cells that recognize the agents, producing an immune response that results in the elimination of the invading agent. Complete the U.S. Census by visiting My2020Census.gov! Rabies is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can spread from animals to people, and is fatal. Vaccinated pets help keep pet owners and the general public safe – so help save a life and keep your pet vaccinated, too! Although there is a small risk of cancer, the benefits of protecting your pet, and family members, from this deadly virus outweigh those risks. Due to COVID-19 the deadline for Census submission has been extended. After exposure, you need to get all the doses even if you are at risk for an allergic reaction. 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