Mulnix Animal Clinic - Small Animal Hospital - Fort Collins, Colorado
 
RABIES IN COLORADO

Rabies is a serious worldwide viral disease of most mammals. Unfortunately, the disease is of
epidemic proportions in many of the undeveloped countries of the world, and accounts for a
significant number of human as well as animal deaths each year. Rabies is preventable with a
proper vaccination program.
 In the United States, Rabies often smolders in bats and terrestrial animal species (skunks, raccoons, foxes, and other carnivores) and may crop up from time to time in different regions of the country. At the present time, Colorado is experiencing such an outbreak. Due to the spread of skunk rabies in Colorado, the Colorado Department of Public Health (CDPHE) has updated its �Rabies Prevention and Control Policy; Management of
Domestic Animals Exposed to Rabies. This includes dogs and cats. A stricter policy is now in
place.

Dogs and cats that are currently vaccinated and are bitten by a bat, skunk, raccoon, fox or
other carnivore; the CDPHE Rabies Prevention and Control Policy is to immediately vaccinate
and 45 days of home observation.
Dogs and cats that have been previously vaccinated, but the vaccine has expired; the pet is to
be immediately vaccinated, boostered at 30 days, and 90 days home quarantine.

Dogs and cats that have not been vaccinated; the pet is to be euthanized or 180 day
quarantine (90 days at secured facility and 90 days at home) and are to be vaccinated at 0, 21,
and 60 days.

Because Rabies has been identified in many of the eastern counties of Colorado, it will sooner
or later begin to appear in the more populous counties of the front range with a much greater
exposure risk to back yard dogs and cats.

Mulnix Animal Clinic urges a vigorous pro-active vaccination program for all our patients to
ensure their future safety against Rabies.



John A. Mulnix, DVM
 


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