{"id":3782,"date":"2025-05-09T18:51:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-09T23:51:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dupontvet.com\/blog\/?p=3782"},"modified":"2025-08-27T11:35:33","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T16:35:33","slug":"the-connection-between-indiana-wildlife-and-rabies-risk-for-pets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dupontvet.com\/blog\/the-connection-between-indiana-wildlife-and-rabies-risk-for-pets\/","title":{"rendered":"The Connection Between Indiana Wildlife and Rabies Risk for Pets"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Rabies is a deadly virus you’ve probably heard about, and while pets should be vaccinated against it, wild animals are not. In the Hoosier State, wildlife is everywhere: in our yards, gardens, and walking trails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That’s why Indiana’s wildlife rabies risk is something all pet parents should know about\u2014and be prepared for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, the team at Dupont Veterinary Clinic<\/a> will share what you should know about protecting pets from rabies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How Rabies Spreads in Indiana Wildlife<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rabies is mainly spread through the saliva of infected animals, usually from a bite. When it comes to Indiana’s wild animals, rabies is most commonly found in raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes. As cute as they may be, bats are the most frequently reported carriers of rabies in our state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you see a bat, fox, skunk, or raccoon near your home or farm, keep yourself and your pets far away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All it takes is one bite or even a scratch for your pet to get infected<\/a>, and from there, the virus spreads quickly to the nervous system\u2014and to humans. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, which is why rabies prevention is so important in Indiana.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Protecting Pets from Rabies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The best way to make sure you and your pet stay safe is to take steps to prevent a wildlife encounter. Here’s what you should do:<\/p>\n\n\n\n