Rabies
Most everyone has heard of rabies, but you may not know the ins and outs of the disease exactly. Since rabies is by far the most important zoonotic (meaning transmissible from animals to humans) disease we encounter, it is important to know the laws, risks and signs of rabies in animals.
What Is Rabies?
Rabies is a virus that is transmitted through saliva, usually by fresh bite wounds. It infects the brain, causing a myriad of symptoms. It can take up to 6-12 months following a bite from a rabid animal for the victim to display symptoms of rabies. Rabies is virtually 100% fatal within 10 days once symptoms begin.
What Animals Can Get Rabies?
Any mammal can be infected with rabies, including dogs, cats, ferrets, and people. The most common wildlife we encounter that are most commonly infected with rabies are:
What Are The Symptoms?
Rabies is considered a great imitator, because there are a wide variety of symptoms that can occur since the nervous system is affected. Some common symptoms include:
How Do I Prevent Rabies In My Pets?
Luckily, there are good vaccines available for dogs, cats and ferrets that offer protection against rabies. There are rules regarding when rabies vaccines are given. An initial vaccine must be given to puppies and kittens between 12-16 weeks of age, then boostered 1 year from the original vaccine date. Thereafter, vaccines may be given every 3 years or may be required yearly depending on where you live. It is very important to get your pets vaccinated for rabies. Not only is it the law, but it is the safest way to ensure you never have to worry about your pet contracting rabies.
My Pet Fought With A Wild Animal - What Do I Need To Do?
First, do not handle the wild animal yourself. If it is able to be trapped and killed, then the head can be submitted for rabies testing. This is the ideal scenario, because the testing can be done quickly to see whether there was any risk of rabies transmission. If the wild animal cannot be captured, then post-exposure vaccinations should be given according to your veterinarian's recommendations. Since most pets that fight with wild animals have some sort of wounds, seeing your veterinarian immediately is important for triage care, vaccine recommendations, and quarantine recommendations.
My Dog Bit Someone - What Do I Need To Do?
Dog bites should be reported. A 10 day quarantine at an animal control facility or with your veterinarian is required as a safety procedure to protect any people who have been in contact with your dog. If your dog was rabid and shedding virus at the time of the bite, then symptoms of rabies would occur in your dog within that 10 day period. Even if you know your dog could not possibly have rabies, the quarantine still needs to be performed and documented as this is the law.
I Found A Wild Animal - What Do I Need To Do?
First of all, do not handle the wild animal! There is no way to tell if the animal is rabid or carrying another dangerous disease. If the animal is acting strangely, then immediately call animal control so they can retrieve the animal and test it for rabies if necessary.
I Have Been Bitten By A Wild Animal - What Do I Need To Do?
If the wild animal is dead or able to be trapped, then its head must be sent for rabies testing. Do not handle the wild animal yourself - contact animal control so they can safely catch the animal in question. If the animal is not able to be caught, then seek immediate medical attention from your personal physician. Make sure to tell your doctor that you have been exposed to a wild animal and ask about what you need to do for rabies post-exposure vaccines. Your doctor can guide your treatment.
I Am Traveling With My Pet - What Do I Need To Do?
Most states require proof of rabies vaccination and a health certificate when traveling with your pet. Visit your veterinarian before traveling to get your pet up to date on all vaccinations and to meet the requirements of your destination state or country. International travel has much more stringent regulations - be sure to contact your veterinarian far in advance of any international travel with your pet.
What Is Rabies?
Rabies is a virus that is transmitted through saliva, usually by fresh bite wounds. It infects the brain, causing a myriad of symptoms. It can take up to 6-12 months following a bite from a rabid animal for the victim to display symptoms of rabies. Rabies is virtually 100% fatal within 10 days once symptoms begin.
What Animals Can Get Rabies?
Any mammal can be infected with rabies, including dogs, cats, ferrets, and people. The most common wildlife we encounter that are most commonly infected with rabies are:
- Skunks
- Raccoons
- Bats
- Coyotes
- Foxes
What Are The Symptoms?
Rabies is considered a great imitator, because there are a wide variety of symptoms that can occur since the nervous system is affected. Some common symptoms include:
- Aggression. Wild animals will lose their fear of people
- Excessive shyness
- Voice change
- Trouble swallowing (hydrophobia)
- Drooling (the classic "foaming at the mouth")
- Seizures
How Do I Prevent Rabies In My Pets?
Luckily, there are good vaccines available for dogs, cats and ferrets that offer protection against rabies. There are rules regarding when rabies vaccines are given. An initial vaccine must be given to puppies and kittens between 12-16 weeks of age, then boostered 1 year from the original vaccine date. Thereafter, vaccines may be given every 3 years or may be required yearly depending on where you live. It is very important to get your pets vaccinated for rabies. Not only is it the law, but it is the safest way to ensure you never have to worry about your pet contracting rabies.
My Pet Fought With A Wild Animal - What Do I Need To Do?
First, do not handle the wild animal yourself. If it is able to be trapped and killed, then the head can be submitted for rabies testing. This is the ideal scenario, because the testing can be done quickly to see whether there was any risk of rabies transmission. If the wild animal cannot be captured, then post-exposure vaccinations should be given according to your veterinarian's recommendations. Since most pets that fight with wild animals have some sort of wounds, seeing your veterinarian immediately is important for triage care, vaccine recommendations, and quarantine recommendations.
My Dog Bit Someone - What Do I Need To Do?
Dog bites should be reported. A 10 day quarantine at an animal control facility or with your veterinarian is required as a safety procedure to protect any people who have been in contact with your dog. If your dog was rabid and shedding virus at the time of the bite, then symptoms of rabies would occur in your dog within that 10 day period. Even if you know your dog could not possibly have rabies, the quarantine still needs to be performed and documented as this is the law.
I Found A Wild Animal - What Do I Need To Do?
First of all, do not handle the wild animal! There is no way to tell if the animal is rabid or carrying another dangerous disease. If the animal is acting strangely, then immediately call animal control so they can retrieve the animal and test it for rabies if necessary.
I Have Been Bitten By A Wild Animal - What Do I Need To Do?
If the wild animal is dead or able to be trapped, then its head must be sent for rabies testing. Do not handle the wild animal yourself - contact animal control so they can safely catch the animal in question. If the animal is not able to be caught, then seek immediate medical attention from your personal physician. Make sure to tell your doctor that you have been exposed to a wild animal and ask about what you need to do for rabies post-exposure vaccines. Your doctor can guide your treatment.
I Am Traveling With My Pet - What Do I Need To Do?
Most states require proof of rabies vaccination and a health certificate when traveling with your pet. Visit your veterinarian before traveling to get your pet up to date on all vaccinations and to meet the requirements of your destination state or country. International travel has much more stringent regulations - be sure to contact your veterinarian far in advance of any international travel with your pet.