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Name
Rabies Virus, Canine and Feline
Short Description
Rabies Virus
Affected Animals: Dogs, cats, and humans, as well as foxes,
raccoons, bats, and all other mammals.
Overview:
Rabies is almost always fatal in domestic
animals. The classic symptoms include apprehension, anxiety, biting
or snapping at random, and frothing at the mouth. Any mammal,
including a human, can be infected by the rabies virus, which causes
severe neurological disease and death. The virus is passed in saliva
typically acquired through a bite wound or by eating an infected
animal. The most common rabies carriers are wild animals, including
foxes, skunks, raccoons, and bats.
There is no cure for rabies and animals showing clinical signs
should be euthanized, or humanely put to death. Any human exposed to
rabies must be treated immediately, before the onset of neurological
disease, to prevent infection. Once neurological symptoms appear,
there is no treatment for humans, either. Anyone suspected of being
exposed to a rabid animal should contact the county or public health
offices immediately.
Rabies vaccinations are very effective in the prevention of disease
and are required by law in most areas, but regulations vary from
region to region. The best prevention is regular vaccination. Rabies
vaccines, by law, must be given by a licensed veterinarian; most
states will not recognize a rabies vaccination that has not been
given by a licensed veterinarian.
Clinical Signs: Clinical signs of rabies can vary, but generally
they include behavior changes such as depression; apprehension;
nervousness; anxiety; biting or snapping, sometimes at imaginary
objects; wandering or roaming; irritability; muscular incoordination;
seizures; paralysis; salivation or frothing at the mouth; and a
"dropped jaw," or inability to swallow. Any animal that is
unvaccinated and shows abnormal behavior or unexplainable
neurological disease should be suspected of having rabies.
Symptoms:
See Clinical Signs.
Description:
Rabies is a severe, fatal disease affecting all
warm-blooded animals and humans. The rabies virus member of the
family Rhabdoviridae and is found worldwide, except for a few places
such as New Zealand, Hawaii, Japan, Australia, and the British
Isles. Highly contagious, the disease is shed in the saliva of
infected animals. When an animal becomes infected, it can take
between one week to eight months before clinical signs of rabies
develop.
Clinical signs occur due to the destruction and severe inflammation
of the nerves in the body. The virus also goes to the salivary
glands, where the virus can be shed in the saliva. Once signs of
neurological disease are visible, the disease progresses very
rapidly and the animal usually dies within a week. When a
rabies-infected animal bites another animal, or the infected saliva
contacts the mucous membranes of an animal, the virus starts to
replicate itself in the muscle cells, and then spreads via the
nerves to the spinal cord before moving rapidly to the brain.
Diagnosis: Any animal that is unvaccinated and shows
abnormal behavior or unexplainable neurological disease should be
suspected of having rabies. There is no antemortem test for rabies
that provides a conclusive diagnosis in live animals. If rabies is
suspected, or the animal has bitten someone and is showing signs of
rabies, the only way to confirm the presence of rabies is to
immediately submit the brain to an approved laboratory to test
directly for the presence of the virus.
Prognosis: Grave
Transmission or Cause: Rabies virus is transmitted through the saliva of
an infected animal. Often, animals get the disease by being bitten
by or eating an infected with the virus. Wildlife such as skunks,
raccoons, bats, and foxes are common rabies carriers.
Treatment:
Rabies is almost always fatal once clinical signs
appear, and the only humane course of action is euthanasia. Consult
a veterinarian about the local laws and regulations concerning
exposure or suspected exposure to rabies.
Currently, vaccinated animals that are suspected of being exposed to
rabies should be re-vaccinated immediately and then strictly
quarantined according to local laws -- generally for a period of 45
days. During the quarantine, the animal must be isolated in a secure
enclosure from contact with other animals and people. Contact a
veterinarian immediately if any contact with rabies is suspected.
Unvaccinated animals that have been exposed to rabies are a severe
health hazard. Most states either recommend or mandate euthanasia
and testing of unvaccinated exposed animals. If an owner refuses
euthanasia, the animal must be held in strict quarantine for six
months, with a vaccination administered at the fifth month. Animals
that are not current with their rabies vaccination are generally
evaluated on a case by case basis according to local laws.
Even an otherwise healthy, properly vaccinated domestic animal that
bites a human should be reported to authorities -- generally the
police or animal control -- and quarantined for a period of 10 days.
Prevention: The best prevention is through vaccination. Most
states require that rabies vaccinations be administered by a
licensed veterinarian. The first vaccine is given at 12 to 16 weeks
of age, then again in one year. Remaining boosters are given every
one to three years, depending upon the vaccine product
recommendations and state laws. In addition, all contact between
domestic and wild animals should be avoided.
