Q: I recently returned from a trip to India where dog rabies is prevalent. Is there a rabies problem in L.A. County?
A: A robust rabies vaccination program in dogs has allowed the U.S. to be free of dog rabies since 2007. Mandatory dog rabies vaccinations are still required and can be administered after three months of age. Mandatory cat vaccination varies from city to city in L.A. County.
Santa Monica does not require cats to be vaccinated for rabies. In L.A. County, the chief source of rabies is from bats. There were 68 cases in 2021, and 50 cases in 2022. If you find a sick or injured bat, contact the LA County Veterinary Public Health Department. ,http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/vet
The L.A. County Veterinary Public Health unit is also a good resource of information for other disease outbreaks. They were instrumental in appraising owners and veterinarians of an outbreak of Canine Flu and Leptospirosis that occurred the Summer of 2021. Fortunately, rabies is not a health concern among dogs in L.A. County.
Paws and Claws Column
By Dr. Frank Lavac, MS, DVM
Dr. Lavac can be reached by calling his office at 310-828-4587.