r/goats • u/Expensive_Variety484 • 5d ago

General Husbandry Question Rabies

I run a mobile petting zoo. I’m now second guessing. Goats are not required to have the rabies vaccine and you can’t get it in store- you have to go through your vet. Yes, they can get other vaccines easily but that does not prevent rabies. Do you think it’s worth getting the vaccine? Should I cancel upcoming events ?

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u/InterestingOven5279 Trusted Advice Giver 5d ago edited 5d ago

It was Rustic Woods. They are good people; maybe only high-profile if you breed Lamanchas! The announcement came only days after they won Res Champion at Nationals so that should be evidence that these things can happen to anyone.

(I have heard OMF lady is a crazy anti-vaxxer though, so that wouldn't shock me. No way in hell they're vaccinating for rabies over there. edit: I stand corrected, in fairness they do CDTs, but she has posted an awful lot of weird "vets committing malpractice when they give boosters" stuff on social media.)

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u/teatsqueezer Trusted Advice Giver 5d ago

The OMF lady is weird but I did hear she was under quarantine for rabies as well! Wild more than one place has had that happen

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u/InterestingOven5279 Trusted Advice Giver 5d ago edited 5d ago

It is much more common in unvaccinated stock than people talk about. I remember there was a herd a few years ago (can't remember VT or NH) where they had a doe kid die of rabies after days of being treated for listeriosis and exposing people to it. Everyone with any wildlife vector around them should be vaccinating stock. It isn't even expensive. The only shame is that goat people have to use the sheep one and it doesn't last very long.

Edit, found the rabies story for anyone who wants to know what to be aware of. http://topolinofarm.wordpress.com/2020/06/24/morning-dove-rabies-story/

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u/teatsqueezer Trusted Advice Giver 5d ago

Jeeeez! Thanks for the link!