Drug maker Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. is promoting educational initiatives designed for veterinarians and pet owners in the lead-up to World Rabies Day.
“It’s important that pet owners understand the risk of rabies and the essential role of vaccinating their pets against this disease,” said Mike Hamby, MBA, head of Boehringer Ingelheim’s U.S. pet business. “The annual milestone of World Rabies Day on September 28 offers us a valuable opportunity to remind pet owners about the importance of year-round vigilance as we work together to help prevent rabies.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that while the virus is rarely transmitted to people in the United States, about 60 to 70 dogs and more than 250 cats are reported rabid each year. The animals are commonly infected after exposure to rabid wildlife such as bats, raccoons and skunks.
Among the tools available to veterinarians are:
- Rabies awareness kits that veterinary teams may hand out to teach pet owners about the importance of regular vaccination of pets. The kits include posters, fliers, a fact sheet and a children’s coloring book. Boehringer Ingelheim representatives distributed the kits to clinics, but more are available upon request.
- The website rabiesaware.org, which addresses state-level rabies vaccination laws and regulations.
- The “Rabies Awareness Challenge” webinar featuring North Carolina State University Professor Emeritus Richard Ford, DVM, MS, DACVIM. The webinar, which examines legal issues and rabies immunization, will be available for free for three weeks starting Sept. 28 at vetfolio.com/rabies-awareness-challenge.com.
Duluth, Georgia-based Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health produces injectable rabies vaccines for use in pets and livestock.