The very word "rabies" elicits fear in many people. And well it should. When the symptoms of this virus appear, it always results in death.
Rabies Virus & Rabies Symptoms
Rabies, which attacks the central nervous system of warm-blooded animals, including humans and cats and dogs, is most often transmitted through a bite from an infected animal. It can also be passed from mammal to mammal when infected saliva enters the body through the eyes or an open wound. The virus may incubate anywhere from weeks to months before becoming active. When it does become active, symptoms of the disease usually appear in 3 to 5 days. Symptoms include disorientation and staggering, caused by paralysis of the hind legs.
Extreme behavioral changes can also be an indicator of rabies. An animal normally seen only at night, for example, may become active in the daytime, and vice versa. Infected animals may also attack other animals or humans. The virus also can cause paralysis of the throat and jaw muscles, which results in the well-known symptom of foaming from the mouth. Other signs of rabies include loss of appetite, weakness, seizures and sudden death.
Rabies Vaccine
In 1953, there were about 6,000 reported cases of rabies in cats and dogs in the United States. Due primarily to the use of vaccines, the number had dropped to 344 by the early 1990s. The most common carriers are bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes. Unvaccinated animals who are allowed to roam unsupervised are the group most likely to become infected, should they get into a fight with a rabid wild animal or stray dog or cat.
The best form of protection is prevention. Make sure that your pet's rabies vaccination status is current. Depending on the type of vaccination used, your pet will require a booster every year or three years. In many areas of the country, it is mandatory that all domestic dogs and cats are vaccinated after the age of 3 months. Vaccinating your pet not only protects him from getting rabies, it protects him if he bites someone. Some local ordinances may require lengthy quarantines or euthanasia for rabies testing if your pet's vaccination record is not current. If you are not sure of the laws in your town, consult your local animal affairs agency.
Is your companion animal really at risk of contracting rabies? Experts believe that you can greatly decrease the chances by keeping your cat indoors, and keeping your dog on his leash whenever he is outside. If you think that your pet has been bitten by a rabid animal, put on some gloves to protect yourself from infection and rinse the bite area with soap and lukewarm water. Take your pet to the vet immediately. Also notify local animal control officers if the animal who bit your pet is still at large and can be identified and apprehended.
As a further prevention, it's smart to avoid contact with stray animals. Should you come across a wild animal, do not attempt to handle or capture the animal. To minimize the chance of exposure to wild animals who carry rabies, including bats, experts recommend the following simple steps to safeguard your home:
- Cover any holes on the outside of your home that are larger than a quarter, and caulk cracks that are 3/8-inch or more wide.
- Make sure your window screens are intact.
- Install chimney caps.
- Cover attic vents are covered with screens and keep all doors closed tightly.
If you discover a dead wild animal in your home, put on sturdy leather work gloves and place the animal in a small box. Take care to tape the box shut before contacting your local health department for information about where to take the animal for rabies testing.
