Rabies: How It Affects Pets and Humans

Here at Jefferson Animal Hospital in Baton Rouge, we are pleased to provide for all of your pet's veterinary needs, from pet boarding to pet surgery to the vital vaccinations. We call vaccinations, especially the rabies vaccine absolutely vital because it is literally a lifesaver for pets. All pets must get the rabies vaccination, so this is one of the most common vaccinations that we do here at Jefferson Animal Hospital. The rabies vaccine is so important that it is actually required by law. We want you and your pet to be protected from the deadly consequences of going without this simple vaccine. It takes only a few minutes and will have lifelong benefits and protection from infection.

Our Baton Rouge Animal Hospital Discusses Rabies

As your Baton Rouge veterinarian it is important to us that we explain what rabies is, and why we encourage all of our animal hospital patients to get the vaccination. Rabies is a deadly disease that can be spread via animal bites (it lives in saliva). If an animal is bit by an animal infected with the rabies virus, there is no cure and death will almost always follow. If a person contracts the rabies virus, they must get treatment in the form of a series of shots but rabies is not always fatal to humans. In Asia, Africa, and Latin America, however, the Center for Disease Control says that tens of thousands of people still die due to rabies infection each year.

It is easy to prevent rabies since we offer two types of vaccinations (the one year and the three year vaccine). The inoculation itself is a very short process, and your pet will generally be back to their regular behavior immediately. The vaccination is performed with very fine needles to minimize pain, and our caring and loving staff will soothe your pet during the shot to minimize any stress or discomfort the animal may be feeling.

Do you have any questions about rabies? Please let us know!

Advice from Our Baton Rouge Veterinarian

Is your dog or cat getting larger and larger, or are you worried that it might happen? Obesity in pets can be caused by a number of conditions and can increase your pet’s risk for certain diseases. Here are some steps you can take to prevent or correct pet obesity:

Get them medically checked. Some cases of weight gain may be related to a hyperactive thyroid gland. The thyroid produces hormones that regulate the metabolism. A thyroid deficiency can leave you with an overweight animal, but our animal clinic can work with you to prescribe medications that can help. Kidney or heart trouble can also lead to bloating, which may look like weight gain.

Stop feeding them “human food.” Dogs and cats love table scraps and will often beg and plead for them until you give in. Be strong! The foods we prepare for ourselves are usually much higher in fat that most pets’ bodies can tolerate, so not only will your pet pack on the pounds, but he will also face elevated health risks associated with an unbalanced diet. Train your pet to be content with his regular portions of dog or cat food.

Learn more about your pet's specific needs. Puppies, kittens and elderly animals all have different health challenges and pet food companies make different formulas for each, so choose your pet food accordingly. If your pet skips a meal, do not panic right away -- animals eat when they are hungry instead of always following the clock. If your pet skips several meals, however, he may be ill and in need of a veterinarian.

Our Animal Clinic Can Help with Pet Obesity

If you need advice on proper pet nutrition and other pet wellness issues, visit us at Jefferson Animal Hospital here in Baton Rouge. We can determine your pet’s ideal weight and recommend the proper nutritional and lifestyle habits to keep him slim and trim!

What steps do you take to keep your pet fit and healthy? How did you get them to stop begging for people food?