Rabies is a horrible disease that can affect both humans and animals. It isn't just dogs and cats who require rabies vaccines. Animals that live on a farm also need to be protected against rabies, in case they come into contact with an infected wild animal.
At Mediapolis Veterinary clinic, we not only provide care for the pets that are most likely to sleep at the foot of your bed, but also for animals you keep on your farms, such as sheep, cattle, pigs, horses, and even camelids. If any of your farm animals need urgent care, or care typical of farm calls we are able to provide your livestock with the care that they need. A big part of this is their rabies vaccines, which help keep all your animals as well as your family safe.
Meeting Requirements for Rabies Vaccines
In addition to just making sure that your farm animals receive the care they need, they will also need to receive timely rabies vaccinations as needed. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has issued recommendations on this. For both dogs and livestock animals, it may take up to 28 days before the animal is considered protected against the rabies virus, so it is important that owners keep them safe during that time.
Rabies vaccines in farm animals can start at three months of age, and the animal will need a booster vaccine a year later. If you travel with your animals, it is important that they have their vaccination certificate with them. Rabies vaccines are not something that you can afford to skip out on, as it is just as likely that farm animals will contract rabies as your dog.
Keeping Farm Animals and Caretakers Healthy
At Mediapolis Veterinary Clinic, see farm animals at our clinic, but when that is not possible, we are able to come to you. We have a transportable chute with a palpation cage to help care for cattle. In addition to providing rabies and other vaccines, we participate in the Iowa’s Green/Gold Tag program, test for breeding soundness as well as pregnancy, and conduct a variety of lab tests and bloodwork to monitor any potential disease.
The animals outside your home are just as important as the ones in the house. At Mediapolis Veterinary Clinic, we are here to make sure all of them are safe and protected. To learn more about how we can care for your farm animals, contact us at Mediapolis Veterinary Clinic in Mediapolis, IA at (319) 394-3108.