Rabies

The only animals required to have rabies shots are generally dogs and cats, but that is not even universal. They justify it, however, because if a dog or cat gets rabies, they can become "rabid" and bite people and infect us. All mammals can get rabies, but most don't have that particular symptom. Goats can get rabies, but it usually makes them lethargic before it kills them, and the symptoms are similar to listeriosis. The textbooks say that goats can get the "furious form," but it is less common. I have heard of a few breeders vaccinating their goats, but it is rather risky as there is not a rabies vaccine that is approved for use in goats, so the vet is using another species rabies vaccine off-label.

Replies

Nicholas Windsor November 28, 2012 at 11:30pm

That's what I though, thanks for confirming it!
Deborah Niemann-Boehle November 28, 2012 at 10:44pm

The only animals required to have rabies shots are generally dogs and cats, but that is not even universal. They justify it, however, because if a dog or cat gets rabies, they can become "rabid" and bite people and infect us. All mammals can get rabies, but most don't have that particular symptom. Goats can get rabies, but it usually makes them lethargic before it kills them, and the symptoms are similar to listeriosis. The textbooks say that goats can get the "furious form," but it is less common. I have heard of a few breeders vaccinating their goats, but it is rather risky as there is not a rabies vaccine that is approved for use in goats, so the vet is using another species rabies vaccine off-label.

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