Rabies
From MayoClinic.com
Special to CNN.com

Overview

Rabies is a serious viral disease that affects the central nervous
system of mammals. The disease typically spreads by way of the saliva of
infected animals -- often, but not always, through a bite.

Once you're infected, the virus spreads from peripheral nerves to your
spinal cord and brain. From initial flu-like signs and symptoms, the
illness can progress to convulsions, paralysis or breathing failure.
Death can occur if you don't seek treatment immediately after exposure.

Your risk of exposure to rabies in the United States is greater when you
come into contact with a wild animal. Most rabies cases reported to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) each year occur in wild
animals, including raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes. Domesticated
animals such as cats, dogs and cattle account for less than 10 percent
of reported rabies cases. Most pets and domesticated animals receive
vaccinations against rabies.

Human deaths from rabies average about three per year in the United
States. Most of the deaths since 1990 have been associated with exposure
to rabid bats.

Your chances of exposure to the rabies virus are much greater than are
your chances of dying from it. Each year, an estimated 40,000 people in
the United States receive treatment for suspected rabies exposure.
Treatment consists of a series of rabies shots, which prevent symptoms
and death.

My vet told me that as long as my cats were indoors only they did not need a rabies shot.

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