What You Should Know About Rabies

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What is Rabies?

Rabies is caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system, causing convulsions, paralysis, and, finally, death. The virus is present in the saliva of a rabid animal and is transmitted primarily by animal bites. In rare cases it can be transmitted through contamination of open wounds, fresh abrasions, or mucous membranes.

The virus can affect all warm-blooded animals, but it is most often found in wildlife such as raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats. Dogs and cats may contract rabies if they are not vaccinated against it.

Rabies is rarely seen in rodents such as mice, rats, squirrels, chipmunks, guinea pigs, hamsters, or rabbits. Birds, turtles, lizards, fish, and insects do not contract rabies.

Symptoms of Animal Rabies

Marked changes in an animal's behavior are symptoms of rabies. A rabid animal may:

Be unnaturally withdrawn
Be unusually friendly or calm
Be very docile
Snap at anything in its path
Appear in the daytime (if it's nocturnal)
Search for an isolated place to suffer its final convulsions, lapse into total paralysis, and die

Note: Animal babies and healthy-looking animals can carry rabies.

Is There a Cure for Rabies?

Once signs of rabies appear, the disease is almost always fatal. However, rabies can be prevented if early treatment is administered. If you come in contact with an animal that might have rabies, you should contact the health department or a medical facility for advice on rabies prevention treatment.

Treatment begins with a first dose of vaccine and another protective injection. Four more doses of vaccine must be administered over 28 days.

Tips to Prevent Rabies

Vaccinate your dog, cat, or ferret against rabies as required by law. All dogs and cats more than 4 months old must be vaccinated against rabies. Vaccines effective for 3 years are now available for cats and dogs age 1 or older. Keep vaccination current at all times.
Keep dogs and cats under control. Animal control laws prohibit allowing animals to roam unsupervised. Roaming pets are more likely to be exposed to rabies than those supervised by their owners.
Leave stray or unknown dogs and cats alone. Loose animals are more likely to have been exposed to rabies and to attack others. Keep your pets away from strays, too.
Leave wild animals alone. Avoid wild animals even if they appear friendly, and do not coax a wild animal to eat from your hand. You need not fear wild animals, just respect and stay away from them. Even very young children can learn this rule.
Do not keep wild animals as pets. Even a raccoon or skunk born in captivity may be a rabies carrier. Local laws prohibit acquiring or keeping such animals as pets. There are no approved vaccines or known quarantine periods for wild animals.
Make your property unattractive to wild animals. Cap chimneys and seal off any openings in attics, under porches, and in basements. Feed your pets indoors and keep trash cans tightly closed.

If you are bitten or scratched by any animal:

Get the owner's address and telephone number if possible.
Immediately wash the wound thoroughly, cleaning and flushing with plenty of soap and water for several minutes.
Get prompt medical attention. Call your family doctor or go to the nearest emergency room.
Immediately report it to your animal control agency, police department, or health department.
Try to identify and observe the animal, but do not risk exposure again.

If your pet is bitten or attacked by, fights with, or is exposed to a wild animal:

Call your pet away from the animal.
Confine the wild animal, if possible. (Do not touch it or risk exposing yourself.)
Do not handle, touch, or examine your pet for at least two hours following the fight.
If you must handle your pet shortly after a fight, wear heavy gloves and then be sure to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water.
Contact your doctor or local health department for advice to determine whether or not you may have been exposed to the virus.
Contact your local animal control agency immediately for advice about testing the wild animal for rabies and follow-up for your pet.

What if I have a bat in my house?

Contact animal control for assistance.
If advised to contain the bat, close windows, closet doors, and the door to the room.
Turn on the lights if the room is dark and wait for the bat to land. Leave the room.
Do not release the bat.
Any live or dead bat that may have had contact with a person should be tested for rabies. If the test results are positive for rabies, or if the bat cannot be found or has escaped, contact your local health department and see a doctor as soon as possible.

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