Map of rabies infections in Austin, Texas 2010

September is rabies prevention month.

The state of Texas requires that dogs and cats be vaccinated against rabies by 4 months of age and on a 1 year or 3 year basis thereafter depending on the type of vaccine used.* Additionally, when traveling with a dog or cat, have in your possession a rabies vaccination certificate that was signed by a veterinarian. Check with your veterinarian about other vaccines that are available for a wide range of diseases.

All dogs and cats over 3 months of age that are being transported into Texas must have been vaccinated against rabies within the last 12 or 36 months depending on the type of vaccine used.*

Although not required by law, it is recommended that livestock (especially those that have frequent contact with humans), domestic ferrets, and wolf-dog hybrids should be vaccinated against rabies. Again, check with your veterinarian about other available vaccines for these animals.

For an animal to be considered currently vaccinated against rabies, at least 30 days must have elapsed since the initial vaccination and not more than 12 or 36 months (depending on the vaccine used)* can have elapsed since the last vaccination.

* All dogs and cats must receive a second rabies vaccination within one year of receiving their first vaccination, regardless of the type of vaccine used or the age at which the animal was initially vaccinated.

Always in training! Always in training! "Falco" digging into the bite! "Falco" has retired from the Unit and is now living comfortably with his handler.

"Ryker" w/ his handler, Deputy Carson: "Ryker" is 6 years old and has been coming to our Clinic since January 2008.

"Meliton" - this is one sharp looking K-9! "Meliton" has been coming to our Clinic since 2007! His handler, Deputy Hernandez, has been coming here since 2001. He handled "Cir" at that time who has, unfortunately, since passed away.

Here at West Lynn Veterinary Clinic we pride ourselves on getting to know each and every pet or working dog that visits our clinic. We also believe that preventive health measures are extremely important and that’s why we help our patients keep track of routine checkup and annual health exams.

We understand that life can get busy and sometimes it is hard to keep track of these things. Become a part of the West Lynn family and let us help you keep your loved one live the healthiest life possible. Visit our Pet Tips section to find out more about health issues that face your pets in today’s world.

Here are a couple more of Austin’s Finest Dogs that we’re proud to serve.

Duke is a real charmer.

Branko is one tough dog.

A special guinea pig has 3 extra toes!

The guinea pig, also commonly called the Cavy, is a species of rodent belonging to the family Caviidae and the genus Cavia. Despite their common name, these animals are not pigs, nor do they come from Guinea. They originated in the Andes, and studies based on biochemistry and hybridization suggest they are domesticated descendants of a closely related species. The guinea pig plays an important role in the folk culture of many Indigenous South American groups, especially as a food source, but also in folk medicine and in community religious ceremonies. Since the 1960s, efforts have been made to increase consumption of the animal outside South America.

In Western societies, the guinea pig has enjoyed widespread popularity as a household pet since its introduction by European traders in the 16th century. Their docile nature, their responsiveness to handling and feeding, and the relative ease of caring for them, continue to make the guinea pig a popular pet. Organizations devoted to competitive breeding of guinea pigs have been formed worldwide, and many specialized breeds of guinea pig, with varying coat colors and compositions, are cultivated by breeders.

Biological experimentation on guinea pigs has been carried out since the 17th century. The animals were frequently used as a model organism in the 19th and 20th centuries, resulting in the epithet “guinea pig” for a test subject, but have since been largely replaced by other rodents such as mice and rats. They are still used in research, primarily as models for human medical conditions such as juvenile diabetes, tuberculosis, scurvy, and pregnancy complications. Click here to view the Wikipedia source for more information.