Proof of Rabies Vaccine/ Certificate of Health:

       Our Thorp Dog Auction Dog Statistics page notes that several of the dogs purchased at the 10 March 07 auction either had no rabies vaccinations or were "imported" from other states with no veterinary certificate of health. Some might view these notations as "nitpicks" because rabies in dogs is now so uncommom -- a July 2007 canine rabies case is the first reported in Wisconsin since 2000. However, such precautions are exactly the reason canine rabies is so rare! The case mentioned above graphically illustrates how "nitpick" rules might literally mean the difference between life and death for animals, and uncomfortable rabies prevention measures for the humans who come in contact with them.

   What are the regulations? SImply put:

1. WI State law requires that all dogs five months and older be vaccinated for rabies by a veterinarian and have a certificate to prove it.

2. In general, ALL animals coming in to the state of Wisconson must have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. ATCP 10.80 Dogs and domestic cats; imports states: (1) No person may import any dog or domestic cat into this state unless it is accompanied by a valid certificate of veterinary inspection. The certificate shall indicate all of the following: (a) Whether the dog or cat has been vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian. (b) The date on which the dog or cat was last vaccinated for rabies. (c) The date on which the dog or cat is due to be re-vaccinated for rabies." This regulation includes (but is not limited to):

   What about that July 2007 case of canine rabies?

        According to a 27 July 2007 DATCP press release, one dog transported from out of state without the required Certificate of Veterinary Inspection was diagnosed with rabies, and another may have died of it. Two more died because they had contact with the infected dog(s) -- there is no way of testing for rabies on live animals. Quoting the press release:

        A Wisconsin resident brought the dogs to her home in St. Croix County from a kennel in Minnesota July 12. On July 13, one dog became ill and was taken to a veterinarian. It was subsequently euthanized and tested positive for rabies. The second dog, although showing no symptoms, was then euthanized because of potential exposure to rabies, but tested negative. A third dog in the group had showed signs and died at the Minnesota kennel July 10 without being tested.

       . . . The rescuer is undergoing injections to prevent rabies. The veterinarian and her assistant were vaccinated against rabies, but had to receive boosters. Although none were bitten, all were exposed to saliva, which contains the rabies-causing virus.

       "Rabies continues to be a public health and animal health concern in Wisconsin. This dog was the 10th animal rabies case diagnosed in Wisconsin this year. The other nine cases were in bats. Last year, we had 22 cases in animals -- 21 bats and 1 skunk," said Dr. James Kazmierczak, public health veterinarian with the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services.

    Read entire DACTP Press Release here   

        Please note that the though all of the dogs pictured on this page were sold at the 10 March 07 Thorp Dog Auction with no proof of rabies vaccination and no health certificates in the case of the out-of-state dogs, NONE of these dogs has exhibited any signs of rabies, and all have since been vaccinated. However, in light of the above, we can't help but think about what might have happened.

   What is Rabies?

       According to the Center For Disease Control and Prevention website, "Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The vast majority of rabies cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) each year occur in wild animals like raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes. Domestic animals account for less than 10% of the reported rabies cases, with cats, cattle, and dogs most often reported rabid."

       It bears repeating: incidences of canine rabies are very rare, due to laws requiring vaccination of animals. The BEST thing you can do to protect your dog and yourself is to be sure that his/her rabies vaccinations are up to date!

       Dogs may be infected if they are bitten by other animals that have rabies -- most frequently, wildlife including bats, skunks and raccoons. Anytime they are exposed to saliva containing the virus, they may be infected. Humans can contract it directly from a bite, or indirectly from saliva, if, for example, an infected dog licks a scratch or open wound on the human's hand. The incubation period can be anywhere from two weeks to four months or even longer.

       Rabies virus infects the central nervous system. Symptoms in animals include fever, behavioral changes (dog may become lethargic or extremely aggressive), and excessive salivation. There is no treatment for the disease after the symptoms become evident. Death usually occurs within days of the onset of symptoms.

       For humans, an extremely effective new rabies vaccine regimen provides immunity to rabies when administered immediately after an exposure. In the US, human deaths from rabies are rare.

   Read More About It:

• Thorp Dog Auction Dog Statistics
• Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection: Import Requirements for Animals
• Wisconsin Administrative Code: Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (of particular interest: Animal Health/ ATCP 10/ Animal diseases and movement)
• DACTP Press Release: Dog with Rabies Found in St. Croix County; Infected Elsewhere
• National Center For Disease Control Rabies Website
  • CDC: Kids' Rabies Page (Good information, easy-to-understand, "at a glance" section for adults, too!)
  • CDC: Rabies Overview
  • CDC: General Questions and Answers about Rabies
  • CDC: Rabies Prevention and Control: General Questions
  • CDC: Rabies diagnosis
  • CDC: Epidemiology (Some very interesting charts of reported rabies cases, in what species, etc.)
• World Rabies Day: Make Rabies History (Note: there are events scheduled in Milwaukee and NeeNah, WI. Click on the Events link.)