Rabies

RABIES MYTH BROKEN

 

Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. The virus is secreted in saliva and is usually transmitted to people and animals by a bite from an infected animal. Less commonly, it can be transmitted when saliva from a rabid animal encounters an open cut on the skin or the eyes, nose, or mouth of a person or animal. Once the outward signs of the disease appear, it is nearly always fatal.

Only mammals can get rabies; birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians do not. Most cases occur in wild animals - mainly skunks, raccoons, bats, and foxes. In recent years, cats have become the most common domestic animal infected. This is because many cat owners do not vaccinate their cats before the cats are exposed to rabid wildlife outdoors. It also occurs in dogs and cattle in significant numbers and, while not as common, has been diagnosed in horses, goats, sheep, swine, and ferrets.

Improved vaccination programs and control of stray animals have been effective in preventing it in most pets. Approved vaccines are available for cats, dogs, ferrets, horses, cattle, and sheep. Licensed oral vaccines have been used for mass immunization of wildlife.

Once the rabies virus enters the body, it travels along the nerves to the brain. Dogs, cats, and ferrets with it may show a variety of signs, including fearfulness, aggression, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, staggering, and seizures. Rabid wild animals may only display unusual behavior; for example, an animal that is usually only seen at night may be seen wandering in the daytime. In addition to those signs seen in dogs and cats, horses, cattle, sheep, and goats with rabies may exhibit depression, self-mutilation, or increased sensitivity to light.

Rabies vaccination and animal control programs, along with better treatment for people who have been bitten, have dramatically reduced the number of human cases in the United States. Most of the relatively few, recent human cases in this country have resulted from exposures to bats. A few cases have resulted from corneal or organ/tissue transplants from an infected donor, but these have been extremely rare. Dogs are still a significant source in other countries, so travelers should be aware of this risk when traveling outside of the United States.

Have your veterinarian vaccinate your dogs, cats, ferrets, and select horses and livestock. Your veterinarian will advise you on the recommended or required frequency of vaccination in your area.

Reduce the possibility of exposure to rabies by not letting your pets roam free. Keep cats and ferrets indoors, and supervise dogs when they are outside. Spaying or neutering your pet may decrease roaming tendencies and will prevent them from contributing to the birth of unwanted animals.

Do not leave exposed garbage or pet food outside, as it may attract wild or stray animals.

Wild animals should never be kept as pets. Not only may this be illegal, but also wild animals pose a potential rabies threat to caretakers and to others.

Observe all wild animals from a distance. A rabid wild animal may appear tame but do not go near it. Teach children NEVER to handle unfamiliar animals — even if they appear friendly.

If you see a wild animal acting strangely, report it to the city or county animal control department.

Bat-proof your home and other structures to prevent bats from nesting and having access to people. (See for more information.)

If my PET HAS BITTEN someone:

Urge the victim to see a physician immediately and to follow the physician’s recommendations.

Check with your veterinarian to determine if your pet’s vaccinations are up-to-date.

Report the bite to the local health department and animal control authorities. If your pet is a cat, dog, or ferret, the officials will confine the animal and watch it closely for ten days. Home confinement may be allowed.

Immediately report any illness or unusual behavior by your pet to the local health department and to your veterinarian.

Do not let your pet stray and do not give your pet away. The animal must be available for observation by public health authorities or a veterinarian.

After the recommended observation period, have your pet vaccinated for rabies if it does not have a current rabies vaccination.

If my PET HAS BEEN BITTEN:

Consult your veterinarian immediately and report the bite to local animal control authorities.

Even if your dog, cat, or ferret has a current vaccination, it should be revaccinated immediately, kept under the owner’s control, and observed for a period as specified by state law or local ordinance (normally 45 days or more). Animals with expired vaccinations will need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Dogs, cats, and ferrets that have never been vaccinated and are exposed to a rabid animal may need to be euthanatized or placed in strict isolation for six months.

Animals other than dogs, cats, and ferrets that are bitten by a rabid or potentially rabid animal may need to be euthanatized immediately.

If I am BITTEN:

Do not panic, but do not ignore the bite. Wash the wound thoroughly and vigorously with soap and lots of water.

Call your physician immediately and explain how you were bitten. Follow the doctor’s advice. If necessary, your physician will give you the post exposure treatment recommended by the United States Public Health Service and may treat you for other possible infections that could result from the bite.

If possible, confine or capture the animal under a large box or other container if that can be done safely. Once captured, do not try to pick up the animal. Call the local animal control authorities to collect it. If the animal cannot be captured, try to memorize its appearance (size, color, etc.) and where it went after biting you.

If it is a wild animal, only try to capture it if you can do so without being bitten again. If the animal cannot be contained and must be killed to prevent its escape, do so without damaging the head. The brain will be needed to test for rabies.

Report the bite to the local health department. Prompt and appropriate treatment after being bitten and before the disease develops can stop the infection and prevent the disease.