March 2025 Newsletter

What You Need To Know About Rabies

Rabies is one of the core vaccines that we vaccinate our cats, dogs, and ferrets against, but most people do not know much about the disease or why vaccination is important. Odds are that you’ve never known a pet who has had rabies, so why is it so important that your pet be vaccinated?

Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the neurological system of mammals, including humans and pets. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, making prevention crucial. The primary method of protecting pets—and by extension, people—is through vaccination. Here’s why rabies vaccinations are essential for your pet:

1. Rabies is fatal. Rabies is an aggressive viral infection that attacks the nervous system, ultimately causing infection of the brain. Affected animals can experience seizures, behavior changes, loss of appetite, loss of ability to swallow, and ultimately death. Rabies infection causes significant suffering of affected animals.
2. Rabies is present in Minnesota! While you may have never heard about a pet with rabies, Minnesota has had 13 confirmed cases of rabid cats and 2 confirmed cases of rabid dogs in the past 10 years. Thankfully, rabies is much more rare than it was 100 years ago, but because it circulates in wild animal populations, we are unlikely to ever eliminate rabies in Minnesota.
3. Rabies can be spread to humans, other pets, and wildlife. If your pet contracts rabies, they can spread the virus to others. Vaccination is the best way to protect not only your pet, but also yourself, your neighbors, your family, and wildlife. Vaccinating your pet protects your whole community against this dangerous virus.
4. Bat bites are difficult to see. Our primary rabies vector in Minnesota is the bat, with 323 confirmed rabies infections in bats in the past 10 years. Ramsey County had 7 known cases of rabies in bats in 2024. When bats get inside, cats and dogs commonly chase, catch, and/or kill them. Your pet could be bitten by a bat and you may never know, because bat bites are small enough to not leave any marks. Your pet’s best protection if they should get bitten by a bat is to be vaccinated against rabies. Please note that the Minnesota Board of Animal Health recommends that ALL pets get a rabies vaccine booster after they may have been bitten by a wild animal, even if they are up-to-date on their rabies vaccine! If you find a bat inside your home with your pet, please reach out to us so we can give you the best guidance for you and your pet.

Regular rabies vaccinations are a simple and highly effective way to protect your pet and your family. If your pet is due for a rabies vaccine, contact our clinic today to schedule an appointment. Protecting your pet is protecting yourself!

Don’t Forget Your Pet’s Preventative Medications!

With the arrival of warmer weather in Minnesota, parasites like fleas, ticks, and heartworms become more active, increasing the risk to your pets. While these pests may seem like a bigger concern in the spring and summer, it’s important to remember that parasite prevention should be a year-round priority. Flea and tick activity rises significantly as temperatures warm, but these pests can survive in homes and mild climates even during the winter months. Minnesota is home to a high population of deer ticks, which can transmit Lyme disease and other serious illnesses. Even a short lapse in protection can leave your pet vulnerable to these threats.

Heartworm disease, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, remains a risk throughout the year as well. While Minnesota’s winters may slow mosquito activity, they can persist indoors and in unexpected warm spells, meaning that missing even one dose of heartworm prevention can put your pet at risk for this potentially fatal disease. With unpredictable seasonal changes, continuous protection is the best way to keep your pet safe.

Preventative medications are far easier and more cost-effective than treating an infestation or illness after the fact. Fleas, ticks, and heartworms can cause serious health issues for pets, making it essential to maintain their protection at all times. It’s easy to forget a dose when life gets busy, but setting reminders or using auto-refill options can help you stay on track. Keeping up with preventatives year-round ensures continuous protection, so you never have to worry about gaps in your pet’s defense. If you need a refill on your pet’s flea, tick, or heartworm prevention, or if you’re unsure about the best option for your pet, contact our clinic today. Keeping your pet protected is one of the simplest ways to ensure their health and happiness in every Minnesota season!

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