Dependable Veterinary Care Since 1972

Decorah Veterinary Clinic holds our standards to a high level. This includes considerations for the safety of our staff, patients, clients, and community. Rabies is a preventable viral disease that can spread to people and pets, most often transmitted through the bite of rabid animals. The rabies virus infects the central nervous system of mammals, causing disease in the brain that ultimately leads to death. In Iowa, dogs over the age of 6 months are required by law to be vaccinated against rabies. Furthermore, there are twice as many positive rabies cases reported in cats each year as compared to dogs, which necessitates their need for vaccination against this deadly virus. As a result, we require that all patients have their rabies vaccine up to date before having any treatment(s) or procedure(s) performed. If their vaccine is due at the time of their visit or we do not have records to indicate their rabies vaccine is up to date, we will require that their vaccine be updated at the time of their visit.

Keeping our patients up to date on rabies vaccination is the best practice from both a legal and public health standpoint. We prioritize not only the health of our patients but also of our staff. Unvaccinated pets are a direct health risk to our staff, and therefore, rabies vaccination must be up to date in order to continue receiving care at our clinic. We understand the vast amounts of misinformation that can make vaccination scary. However, all evidence shows that rabies vaccination saves lives (human and animal) and heartbreak.

We appreciate the trust you have in the care we provide your pets, and we hope this policy serves to further build that trust.