A Journey Through Time: The History of Rabies Vaccine and Pet Vaccination

Rabies is a deadly viral disease that poses a significant threat to both animals and humans. As responsible pet owners, it is crucial to understand the importance of rabies vaccinations for pets. Vaccinating pets not only safeguards their health but also helps prevent the spread of this highly dangerous disease.

Understanding rabies

Rabies is a viral infection that affects the central nervous system of mammals. It is primarily transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected animal, with the virus attacking the brain and spinal cord. Dog bites account for 97% of human rabies cases, followed by cat bites (2%), and other animal bites (1%), including those from bats, mongoose, foxes, and wolves.¹ Once symptoms appear, rabies is nearly always fatal, making prevention through vaccination paramount.

The history of the rabies vaccine and its widespread use in pet vaccination is a testament to the commitment to protecting pets from this deadly disease. Over the centuries, scientific discoveries, pioneering researchers, and advancements in veterinary medicine have paved the way for developing and implementing rabies vaccines for pets.

2300 B.C.

Rabies has been recognized as a dangerous disease since ancient times. Early civilizations, such as the Babylonians, Greeks, and Egyptians, documented precautions to protect themselves and their animals from "mad dog" bites.² They understood the deadly nature of rabies, knew it spread through saliva or bite wounds, and took measures to prevent dog bites.

1885

Louis Pasteur's revolutionary breakthrough

The modern era of rabies vaccination began with the pioneering work of French scientist, Louis Pasteur, in the late 19^thcentury. In 1885, Pasteur successfully developed the first effective rabies vaccine. Using the technique of attenuating the virus, Pasteur weakened the rabies virus by serial passage, resulting in an attenuated strain.³ He then used this attenuated strain to vaccinate dogs, conferring immunity against rabies.

1908

Expanding to pet vaccination

Pasteur's rabies vaccine was used to vaccinate pet dogs, marking the beginning of mass pet vaccination campaigns against rabies.⁴

Development of inactivated rabies vaccines

Pasteur's original live attenuated vaccine was effective but had a small risk of causing the disease.⁵ Over time, advancements were made to develop safer alternatives. In 1908, the development of inactivated rabies vaccines became a significant milestone. These vaccines contained inactivated rabies virus, eliminating the risk of causing the disease while providing effective immunity.⁶ 

Present

Modernization and standardization

Since Pasteur's breakthrough, the development and improvement of rabies vaccines have continued. Modern rabies vaccines for pets have become safer, more potent, and easier to administer. Innovations, such as the use of cell culture technology for vaccine production, have allowed for greater consistency, quality, and availability of vaccines.⁷

Legal requirements and pet vaccination programs

Recognizing the importance of preventing the spread of rabies, many countries and jurisdictions have enacted legal requirements for pet vaccination. These laws mandate that pets, especially dogs, receive regular rabies vaccinations. Compliance with these laws not only protects individual pets but also contributes to public health and the prevention of rabies outbreaks.

Global vaccination efforts and eradication goals

International organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), along with national health authorities, have initiated vaccination programs to control and eliminate rabies worldwide. These efforts include widespread vaccination campaigns for both pets and wildlife, aiming to eradicate rabies in targeted regions.

The history of the rabies vaccine and its integration into pet vaccination programs is a remarkable journey. From ancient observations and early precautions to the groundbreaking work of Louis Pasteur, society’s understanding, and ability to protect pets from rabies have significantly evolved. Today, the availability of safe and effective vaccines, legal requirements, and global vaccination initiatives play a vital role in preventing the spread of rabies and ensuring the health and well-being of pets. Vaccinating pets against rabies, not only safeguards their lives but also contributes to the collective effort of creating a world where rabies is but a distant memory.

References

1. Isloor S., Marissen W.E., Veeresh B.H., Nithinprabhu K., Kuzmin I.V., Rupprecht C.E., Satyanarayana M.L., Deepti B.R., Sharada R., Neelufer M.S., et al. First case report of rabies in a wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) from India.  Vet. Med. Res. 2014;1:1012.
2. Tarantola A. Four Thousand Years of Concepts Relating to Rabies in Animals and Humans, Its Prevention and Its Cure. Trop Med Infect Dis. 2017 Mar 24;2(2):5. doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed2020005. PMID: 30270864; PMCID: PMC6082082.
3. Natesan, Krithiga, et al. "Developments in Rabies Vaccines: The Path Traversed from Pasteur to the Modern Era of Immunization." Vaccines 11.4 (2023): 756.
4. Cleaveland, Sarah, et al. "Proof of concept of mass dog vaccination for the control and elimination of canine rabies." Revue scientifique et technique (International Office of Epizootics)2 (2018): 559.
5. Nandi, Sukdeb, and Manoj Kumar. "Development in immunoprophylaxis against rabies for animals and humans." Avicenna journal of medical biotechnology 2.1 (2010): 3.
6. Hicks, D. J., A. R. Fooks, and N. Johnson. "Developments in rabies vaccines." Clinical & Experimental Immunology3 (2012): 199-204.
7. Starodubova, E. S., et al. "Rabies vaccines: Current status and prospects for development." Molecular Biology 49 (2015): 513-519.

 

Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest updates on all things happening here at BSM Partners.

About the Author

Dr. Katy Miller works as the Director of Veterinary Services at BSM Partners. She earned her veterinary degree at Ross University and completed her clinical year at Louisiana State University. She previously served for 11 years as the Director of Dog and Cat Health and Nutrition for Mud Bay where she earned multiple certifications and specialized in pet food nutriton, prior to which she practiced general and emergency medicine for seven years. She is also a competitive three-day eventer, licensed falconer, and claims only two (Golden and Mini Doxie) of their nine dogs.