Conditions Of Rabies And Animals Known To Pass On Rabies

Rabies is a disease transferred from animals to humans or other animals by a bite. It is a viral disease that can lead to fatal consequences. Only mammals can contract and carry the virus, and it has never been detected in birds, fish, reptiles, nor amphibians. Primarily found in wild animals, domestic pets like cats and dogs can also sometimes be infected. Vaccines are available for pet owners to reduce the risk of their animals contracting rabies.

10. What To Do If Bitten

The bite should first be cleaned with soap and water and examined immediately by a doctor. If possible, capture the infected animal in a box so it can be tested for rabies and contact a health department to report the incident. A doctor will likely start a post-exposure treatment of immunoglobulin and regular vaccine injections. Antibodies will come into effect to fight the virus and must be administered prior to the onset of symptoms.

9. Domestic Animals

Domestic animals like dogs, cats, horses, and cattle can get rabies by being bitten by an infected animal. Preventative measures recommended for pet owners include having their animals vaccinated. Pets will have a reduced risk of coming across an infected animal if they are permitted only to roam in an enclosed yard or on a leash. Spaying and neutering help control their desire to wander. Any pet displaying classic symptoms should be taken to the veterinarian immediately.

8. Dogs

Now on the endangered species list, the African wild dog population experienced a notable outbreak among packs of breeding dogs in Tanzania in December 2000. Of the fifty-two animals, forty-nine succumbed to the disease. The risk of domestic dogs contracting the disease is higher the more they are exposed to wild animals. Infected dogs usually become aggressive and irritated and may have a locked jaw, foaming at the mouth, and a disoriented appearance.

7. Woodchucks

Woodchucks are the only rodents, which when suspected as rabid, can be submitted to health departments in the United States. For other small animals, like gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, and chipmunks, which are rarely infected with the disease, notification can be made to officials who will decide if post-exposure prophylaxis should be considered. The prevalence of rabies in woodchucks was notable from 1985 to 1994, when, of 368 incidences reported, eighty-six percent were attributed to woodchucks.

6. Skunks

Skunks are one of the highest sources of rabies carriers among wild animals. Preferring to keep its distance from humans, a skunk infected with the virus will become less fearful of people and may approach with aggression. That, along with spending time out during the daylight hours, are the main warning signs. Other symptoms a rabid skunk will display are excessive saliva, staggering movements, restlessness, paralysis, and twitching muscles.

5. Foxes

The transmission of rabies to humans from foxes is rare. In some areas, they are fearless and will inspect homes for garbage and food. Foxes should not be approached, especially if they display signs of rabies, including an inability to walk steady, the appearance of paralysis, self-mutilation, and extremely aggressive or unusually tame behavior. If bitten, the area must be washed well, and the person can have fully successful treatment if administered promptly.

4. Raccoons

Raccoons run a high risk of carrying rabies and are a common sight around homes because of their attraction to garbage, food sources, and shelter. Rabies is the most serious disease they can possess, and they display some distinct signs. They may stagger, have tears or excess saliva, wet and matted facial fur, appear absent-minded and unaware of its surroundings, be aggressive, and have difficulty swallowing or breathing from muscles in the throat constricting.

3. Bats

Despite the myth of bats being a large contributor of rabies, the virus is seen in bats less than any other wild animal. Since only less than half of to one percent of bats become infected, it is a small cause of rabies in humans. Human deaths from bat-transmitted rabies add up to only one or two per year in the United States. Unlike in the movies, bat bites are usually not extremely painful and can go unnoticed, except for the small marks left.

2. Signs Of Rabies in People

A person infected with the rabies virus will develop symptoms one to three months following a bite from an infected animal. Initial signs will be vague, such as pain or tingling on the area of contact, malaise, fever, headache, nausea and vomiting, and depression. The disease progresses to affect the brain bringing on anxiety, confusion, hallucinations, insomnia, fear of water, and difficulty swallowing. Difficulty breathing is the main cause of death.

1. Signs Of Rabies In Animals

The rabies virus attacks an animal’s nervous system. The brain is affected, and the symptoms are different between domestic and wild animals. Pets, including dogs, cats, and ferrets, may start to exhibit behaviors like fearfulness, aggression, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, unsteady gait, and seizures. Depression, self-mutilation, and sensitivity to light are symptoms seen in livestock. Wild animals may change a habit. For example, animals active at night might start wandering around in daylight hours.