30/09/2026
Does your pet have their rabies vaccination?
Rabies is a truly terrifying disease, with no known cure and a 99% fatality rate. The disease is spread through the bites and scratches of infected animals. Symptoms in dogs include sudden behavioural changes, Fever, general malaise, or obsessive licking or biting of the bite wound, extreme restlessness, unprovoked aggression, weakness, drooling or foaming at the mouth, and abnormal vocalisation from throat paralysis.
Tests after exposure do not yield trustworthy results, meaning there's only one way forward.
Vaccination.
The rabies vaccine is remarkably effective, with recipients having over 95% immunity to exposure to the virus when they receive regular boosters. The first vaccine can be given to puppies and kittens at 3 months old, with boosters following annually. Additional vaccines will be given if the animal is suspected to have come into contact with the disease recently.
Even better news: rabies vaccinations are available for free from ARO mobile clinics and the main ARO hospital.
Help us keep this disease controlled by vaccinating your pets.
