At Summit Veterinary Care, we understand that pets are cherished family members—and they deserve care that reflects that bond. Our team combines advanced veterinary medicine with a fear-free approach to create an environment where pets feel calm and owners feel confident.

We take vaccinations seriously — not just for your pets’ health, but for the safety of the entire community. Rabies is a deadly virus that can affect all mammals, including humans. Once symptoms appear, it is almost always fatal. That’s why vaccinating your dogs and cats is not optional — it’s a critical part of responsible pet ownership and public health.

Why Rabies Vaccines Are Essential

• Rabies is fatal: There is no cure once clinical signs develop. Vaccination is the only reliable way to prevent it.
  
• Protects your family and community: Rabies can be transmitted through bites from infected animals. Vaccinated pets act as a barrier, reducing risk to humans and other animals.
  
• Required by law: In Virginia, all cats and dogs must be vaccinated against rabies, even indoor pets.

Our Approach to Rabies Vaccines

Dogs

• We provide rabies vaccines for dogs according to current veterinary and state guidelines.
  
• Vaccines may be either 1-year or 3-year formulations depending on age, health, and previous vaccine history.
  
• Rabies protection is combined with routine wellness care to ensure your dog stays healthy overall.
  

Cats

• For cats, we only use the 1-year Purevax rabies vaccine.
  
• Safety first: Cats are more sensitive to certain vaccine ingredients, and the 1-year Purevax has a strong safety profile with minimal risk of injection-site reactions.
  
• Effective protection: Provides reliable immunity while allowing us to monitor your cat’s health annually.
  

How Rabies Vaccination Works

• Rabies vaccines stimulate your pet’s immune system to produce antibodies against the virus.
  
• If exposed, these antibodies prevent the virus from taking hold.
  
• Annual or triennial boosters (depending on the pet and vaccine) ensure immunity remains strong and compliant with state law.
  

Protect Your Pets, Protect Your Community

Vaccinating your pets against rabies isn’t just about following the law — it’s about keeping them safe and ensuring the people around them are protected. At Summit Veterinary Care, we prioritize safe, effective vaccines and combine them with thorough wellness care for dogs and cats alike.

If it’s been more than a year (or three, depending on your pet’s vaccine history) since your last rabies vaccination, schedule a visit today. Protecting your pets against rabies is a simple step that saves lives — both theirs and yours.