Rabies

It appears to be the time of early spring when we begin to see more animal bites. We’ve had two incidents already this week in the office.

The question always comes up about Rabies and whether the individual should get vaccinated.

Here is a brief review:

Rabies is a virus that causes an acute brain infection. It can occur in all warm-blooded hosts, including humans, and the outcome is almost always death. Only a few animals are important for us in the USA as frequent carriers of the disease. The most common include raccoons, skunks, foxes, and coyotes and bats. In addition, dogs can also carry rabies but it isn’t all that common.

The most common way that rabies is transmitted is through the bite and virus-containing saliva of the infected animal. It can be obtained by contact with the eyes, nose, mouth, aerosol transmission, and corneal transplantations.

Once an animal is infected with the virus, it usually takes 1-3 months to start showing signs of infection but can begin within days of infection.

The first symptoms of rabies may only be malaise, fever, or headache, which may last for days. Within days, it may progress to symptoms of brain dysfunction, anxiety, confusion, agitation, progressing to delirium, abnormal behavior, hallucinations, and insomnia. This initial phase typically ends after 2 to 10 days. Once clinical signs of rabies appear, the disease is nearly always fatal. Treatment at this point is usually just supportive.

Disease prevention is entirely prophylactic. It includes giving serum containing antibodies as well as giving the vaccine in the multiple shots. To date only six documented cases of human survival from clinical rabies have been reported and each included a history of either pre- or post exposure prophylaxis.

Dogs, cat, ferrets that are healthy and avail for 10 days observation require no prophylaxis unless animal develops sign of rabies. Then immediately vaccinate and consult public health officials.

Skunks, raccoon, foxes and most other carnivores and bats should be regarded as rabid unless animalproven negative by lab tests. You should consider immediate vaccination.

Livestock, small rodents,and large rodents should be considered individually. Consult your local public health official

Squirrels, Hamsters, chipmunks, rats, Mice, gerbils, guinea pigs, rabbits almost never require vaccination.

* During the 10-day observation period, begin postexposure prophylaxis at the first signs of rabies in a dog, cat, or ferret that has bitten someone. If the animal exhibits clinical signs of rabies, it should be euthanized immediately and tested.

+ The animal should be euthanized and tested as soon as possible. Holding for observation is not recommended. Discontinue vaccine if immunofluorescence test results of the animal are negative