RABIES
Rabies is a virus that invades the central nervous system and produces an acute, progressive encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) that ends in death. It is usually transmitted via the saliva of a rabid animal:
• Through a bite
• Through contamination of scratch wounds
• Via mucosal membranes.
Rabies occurs only in mammals, so it is not present in birds, reptiles, amphibians or fish.
Rabies can be transmitted from infected animals to humans (zoonosis), which makes it a serious public health concern. Each year in Canada, approximately 3,000 people receive post-exposure treatment as a result of contact with rabid animals. In 60% of those cases, the contact is with rabid dogs or cats.
Rabies has gained a strong foothold in Canadian wildlife, growing in prevalence over the past two decades. Foxes, skunks, and raccoons are amongst the most common carriers of the disease. The presence of these animals in urban and suburban environments means chance encounters with pets is a real possibility.
Rabies virus can be transmitted in the saliva up to seven days prior to the appearance of any clinical signs.1
Therefore, all bites to humans should be reported and handled as if they were suspicious — including evaluating, isolating and observing the animal for 10 days — regardless of clinical signs.
Tips for Pet Owners:
• Exposure to unvaccinated pets or wildlife — even bats that enter your house — can increase your pet’s risk of rabies infection.
• Following any such exposure, always check your pet thoroughly for fresh bites or scratches.
• Report any suspicious injuries to your veterinarian
Prevention is the best approach. By, using a vaccine, such as IMRAB®, your veterinarian can ensure your pet’s safety.
Signs of Rabies in Your Pet:
By keeping your pet’s rabies vaccination current, and making regular visits to your veterinarian, you may never need to look for the signs of rabies in your pet.
However, knowing a few common clinical signs can help you reduce your pet’s exposure to suspicious animals — and help you identify wildlife and other animals that may be infected with rabies. You also can help protect your pet by frequently examining it for fresh bites and scratches.
Early signs are often nonspecific before progressing to either a “furious” form or a “dumb” (paralytic) form. Specific manifestations may vary widely between species — and even within species. For example, in dogs, the dumb form is more common, while in cats, the furious form is almost always seen.²
Here are a few other clinical signs of rabies disease:
DOGS
• Rabies in dogs is mainly characterized by neurologic and behavioral disorders.
• During the initial phase, the dog is anxious and nervous, and suffers from changes in personality, often showing irritability, aggression, hypersensitivity, disorientation and sometimes grand mal seizures.
• After a few days, the furious or dumb form starts, with paralysis first affecting one or more limbs, then progressing to affect the entire nervous system.
• Laryngeal paralysis is common and usually one of the first recognized signs.
• Death usually occurs within 10 days.³
CATS
• Incubation can range from two to 12 weeks in cats.
• Rabies is usually difficult to diagnose in the early stages.
• Major signs include behavioral change, gait abnormality, and strange or unusual look in the eyes.
• There also may be an increased frequency of vocalization.³
FERRETS
• Incubation can last from 16 to 96 days (skunk virus strain).
• Clinical signs include: ascending paralysis, ataxia, cachexia, bladder atony, fever, hyperactivity, tremors and paresthesia.
• Most die in four to five days after the onset of clinical signs.³
HORSES
• Incubation averages two to four weeks.
• Clinical signs range from paralysis to abnormal behavior and are often confused with other equine neurologic disorders, such as sleeping sickness and West Nile virus.
• Early signs are rare, and many people may be exposed to a rabid horse before diagnosis.
• Clinical signs at the time of initial examination usually include weakness of hindquarters (ataxia and paresis), lameness and colic.
• After an excitation period, paralytic signs occur that can cause difficulty in swallowing, followed by lack of coordination of the extremities.
• Horses usually die within a week of the first clinical signs.³
CATTLE & SHEEP (rabies may also occur in goats and llamas)
• Incubation period is approximately 14 to 26 days.
• The first observed signs are often hypersalivation and loss of appetite as well as behavioral changes.
• Muzzle tremors usually occur.
• After a few days, anorexia, foamy hypersalivation and loss of weight are often reported.
• Voice modification (bellowing), digestive signs such as tenesmus and constipation, and paresis or paralysis often occur two days after initial signs.