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General Information:
- Rabies is a virus in the lyssavirus genus that causes acute central nervous system disease in all mammals (including people)
- Rabies is almost always fatal
- Rabies is usually transmitted thru bite-wounds with infected saliva
- In our region, skunks are the major carrier of rabies (source of exposure to other animals)
- Dogs are the usual source of exposure to humans (bats are second-most common)
Rabies in Humans
- If there is any question that a potential exposure has occurred, call a physician immediately!
- If exposure has occurred, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) will be given and 5 doses of vaccine
- State and local health officials usually aid in the decision of exposure and PEP
- If treated promptly after exposure, rabies can usually be prevented from developing
- Clean all wounds thoroughly after a bite has occurred, even if rabies is not suspected
- Incubation periods are variable (time from exposure to clinical signs) ranging anywhere from several week or months to as long as 6 years
- Early signs may include vague flu-like symptoms, headaches, gastrointestinal upset, anxiety, insomnia, etc.
- Within 7 days neurologic signs will develop (two forms are possible “furious” and “dumb/paralytic”)
- “Furious” rabies is more common in humans (mood swings, irritability, violence, hyperactivity, sweating, etc.)
- Fear of water (hydrophobia) is considered a classic symptom
- Neurologic signs progress over several days, leading to coma and death
- There are no treatments available once clinical signs have begun
- People who are around animals and wildlife frequently or who are traveling overseas may be advised to receive rabies vaccinations regularly
Rabies in domestic animals (dogs and cats)
- Most dogs and cats are exposed to rabies from wildlife (skunks, raccoons, etc.) or from fighting with another dog or cat that is infected
- The incubation period can be anywhere from a few days to several months (time from exposure to onset of clinical signs)
- Large amounts of virus are shed in the saliva (usually starting a few days before the onset of clinical signs)
- Clinical signs include: nervousness, personality changes, aggression, disorientation, seizures, paralysis, inability to swallow, etc.
- Death usually occurs within 10 days
- All states require rabies vaccination in dogs
- Cat rabies is more common in the US than dogs (mainly because few states require cats to be vaccinated)
- Ferrets are also susceptible to rabies and vaccination is available for ferrets
Rabies in horses
- Horses have a low incidence of rabies
- Clinical signs include: incoordination, paralysis, drooling, lameness, colic, abnormal behavior
- Death usually occurs in 5-7 days
- No human death has occurred form contamination by a rabid horse in North America
- Rabies vaccines are available for horses
Cattle and small ruminants
Since 1990, the number of cattle cases has surpassed the number of dog cases
clinical signs include: drooling, bloat, straining to defecate, anorexia, muscle tremors, bellowing, aggressiveness and excitability
death usually occurs in 5-7 days
cattle can be vaccinated but due to cost it is not usually practiced
If a bite or potential exposure has occurred
- Confine the animal that did the biting (if possible). NEVER approach an aggressive or wild animal, call an animal control officer or game warden for assistance
- If a dead animal is found near the premises handle carefully (with gloves) and place it in a leak-proof container (refrigerate, not freeze, if possible)
- If a human was bitten, seek medical aid immediately
- If a pet was bitten, wash the wound thoroughly and seek veterinary assistance
Protocol for vaccinated animals (within 2 years by a VETERINARIAN):
Protocol for unvaccinated animals:
If a pet has bitten a human:
- If unvaccinated, immediate euthanasia and testing of the brain may be warranted if any signs of illness are present
- Healthy dogs, cats and ferrets that have bitten a human (regardless of vaccination) should be quarantined for 10 days and observed for clinical signs.
- If any time during the 10-day isolation strange behavior or illness is seen, the animal is to be humanely euthanized and the brain submitted for testing
- Any stray or unwanted animal is to be immediately euthanized
Deciding when an exposure has occurred
- Bites by wild carnivores (skunks, bats, foxes, etc) and bats should always be considered an exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) should be administered
- The biting animal should be humanely killed and the brain submitted for testing
- Rodents and rabbits are not believed to be common carriers of rabies
- A healthy and vaccinated animal is considered low-risk for exposure potential
- A healthy, unvaccinated animal is considered medium to moderate risk of exposure potential
- Any animal that is showing signs of illness (regardless of vaccination) at the time of the bite should be considered a high-risk of exposure potential
Notes about Vaccination
- Rabies vaccination MUST be administered by a veterinarian, with appropriate documentation, to be considered valid
- Puppies and kittens should be vaccinated 3-4 months of age, revaccinated in 1 year (15 months of age) and then annual, biennially or triennially after that (frequency of vaccine is usually determined by city ordinance)
- There is only one approved vaccine for ferrets and lasts for only 1 year
- It is recommended that valuable cattle and horses are vaccinated for rabies starting at 3 months of age and annually after that
- Raccoons and other wildlife (including wolf-hybrid dogs) are NOT to be vaccinated for rabies unless done by state or federal officials
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