Burr Ridge, Illinois

—A wild animal attacking a person in an urban setting is highly unusual. Children must be supervised and taught not to approach any animal that they are not familiar, including a dog or cat, or a coyote.

Rabies is a zoonotic disease, which can spread from infected animals to people and is almost always fatal. The vaccination of pets against rabies helps to safeguard the public, pet owners, and may protect the life of a family pet if they bite an individual or another animal.

Zoonotic diseases, such as rabies, are diseases caused by infectious agents that can be transmitted between (or even are shared by) animals and humans. Other lesser known zoonotic diseases exist, which can also be dangerous to infected adults and children.

Routine veterinary visits are vital to the health of pets. The presence of zoonotic diseases can also be significant to the health of family members

According to CVMA President Dr. Alexis Newman, “Rabies is a terrible disease, which is fatal without treatment. Even with treatment, some victims do not survive. So, it is very important that pet owners to limit any possibility of exposure to rabies. This includes avoiding contact with wild animals, and ensuring that pets are always kept up-to-date on rabies vaccinations.”

The Chicago Veterinary Medical Association strongly recommends a long term relationship between pet owners and veterinarians for necessary vaccination schedules and health exams to prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases, including rabies.

For more information about the CVMA, please visit www.chicagovma.org.


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The CVMA is an association of over 1000 veterinarians and 4000 support staff who lovingly assist more than one million Chicago area pets and their families.

The membership of the CVMA is dedicated to the health and well-being of animals through its nurturing of the human animal bond. The CVMA will strive to fulfill the diversified needs of its members by providing nationally recognized CE programs, cultivating membership involvement, and offering innovative member services and exemplary public awareness.

Since 1896, the CVMA has continued a proud tradition of providing its members with vital services and programs which have expanded dramatically over a century to meet the ever-changing needs of the veterinary profession and its diverse patients and clients.