| The Department of Health recalls the mandatory vaccination of dogs, cats and ferrets, as well as the identification by microchip of dogs | The Department of Health of the City of Totana recalls that during the months of July and August the annual campaign of compulsory rabies vaccination for animals of the canine, feline and ferret species is carried out, promoted jointly with the Ministries of Health and Agriculture, Livestock, Fishing and Environment of the Autonomous Community together with the Illustrious Official College of Veterinarians of the Region of Murcia.Rabies is a viral disease that affects mammals and therefore man as well, so that in order to prevent cases of human rabies it is necessary to vaccinate the animal population that can act as a carrier, and thus dispose of an adequate immunization level in the animal population that lives in the human environment.Rabies vaccination must be carried out on dogs and ferrets from 3.5 months of age, cats from 5 months of age, and revaccination must be carried out annually.This is considered a mandatory treatment in dogs, cats and ferrets, so its non-application may be subject to a fine to the owner of the animal.Likewise, the compulsory animal identification of dogs is recalled within a maximum period of 3 months of age or one month after their acquisition, through the implantation of a microchip.Vaccination and identification are carried out in any of the existing veterinary clinics in this town, both during this period of the annual campaign and during the rest of the year. Rabies, also known as hydrophobia because it causes horror of water, is caused by infection with a rod-shaped virus that infects the central nervous system and produces acute encephalitis. In addition, it attacks mammals, both wild and domestic, including humans.
In natural areas the bat is the main vector of rabies, while in urban areas it is the dog.
The best way to prevent the spread of this disease is to vaccinate these animals.
