Medically reviewed by Dr. Joey Gaines, Chief Veterinary Officer, Omaha Vets Group.
Rabies is one of the most preventable diseases. A current vaccine stops rabies almost every time, which is a big part of why serious cases stay rare across the Omaha metro. The question is: Is your pet up to date on their rabies shot?
"Up to date" is more specific than it sounds. Up to date is not a general sense that your pet "had their shots." It is a precise expiration date, set by the exact vaccine your veterinarian used and reinforced by Nebraska law and Omaha's licensing. Understanding that date, and the risk it protects against, is the difference between real coverage and a gap to your pet's coverage.
Ask someone to imagine a rabies risk and they will describe an aggressive, foaming stray dog. That image is decades out of date. Thanks to widespread pet vaccination and leash laws, dogs are no longer the main source of rabies in the United States. Wildlife is. Roughly 5,000 animal rabies cases are reported to the CDC each year, and more than 90 percent of them occur in wild animals such as bats, raccoons, and skunks.
Bats are the specific problem in Nebraska. The Douglas County Health Department flags bats found inside homes as the local exposure most worth taking seriously. Nationally, bats account for about 70 percent of U.S.-acquired human cases of rabies. A bat bite can be smaller than the tip of a pencil eraser, small enough to break skin without leaving a mark a person would notice.
"My pet stays indoors" is the most common reason owners skip a booster, but it does not prevent rabies. Bats find their way into Omaha homes, garages, and screened porches. An indoor cat that corners a bat in the basement or garage is now potentially exposed to rabies. Since a bat bite often leaves no mark, you may never know it happened. The vaccine is the safeguard that covers that gap. It is also legally required in Nebraska.
In Nebraska, state law requires dogs and cats to be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. Walnut Creek Veterinary Clinic helps you remain compliant with the following schedule:
Up to date is a specific expiration date on a specific certificate, and it is your responsibility to track it.
The Nebraska Humane Society administers licensing for the city. Proof of current rabies vaccination is required to license any cat or dog, and new residents are expected to license their pets within thirty days of moving in. Licenses run on the calendar year, coming due January 1 and going delinquent after March 15.
If you are not certain when your pet's rabies protection expires, check with your vet. As a patient at Walnut Creek Veterinary Clinic, you can also log in to the PetPage app to see your pet's history.
Staying current isn't really about avoiding a fine. It's about what changes if your pet is unprotected and something unexpected happens.
There's a human cost, too. If your pet isn't up to date and bites a person, the post-exposure shots can run around $3,800.
Without a current rabies certificate, you can have trouble licensing your pet, get turned away by boarding and grooming providers, or be restricted from traveling with your pet.
If you're not sure whether your pet is current, run through this quick checklist.
The truth is, the hardest part of staying current isn't the shot, it's remembering it! With a three-year interval, it is easy to lose track. The simplest way to stay up to date is with regular wellness exams.
During a yearly visit, our veterinarian will check where your pet's vaccines stand, flag anything coming due, and keep you on schedule, so you are never left guessing. Our optional Pet Prime membership helps you bundle your pet's core vaccinations, including any required boosters, into one yearly wellness plan along with unlimited exams and parasite prevention.
It's a quick fix. Schedule with us - call 402-505-5445 or book online. If a bat encounter or bite has already happened, don't wait. Call right away, because with rabies, acting fast makes all the difference.
