Rabies virus

Posted 8/21/12

Given the recent case of rabies in a young steer in Sullivan County, I felt that it was of benefit to the general public to share information regarding what rabies is and methods of preventing the …

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Rabies virus

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Given the recent case of rabies in a young steer in Sullivan County, I felt that it was of benefit to the general public to share information regarding what rabies is and methods of preventing the spread of this deadly virus. Rabies is a devastating viral disease that affects mammals, domestic and wild. The virus is transmitted by the bite of an infected animal but can also be contracted via saliva alone. Once a person or an animal is bitten, the infected saliva allows the transmission of the virus to enter into the muscle of the victim. From there the virus will migrate to the nearest nerve tissue, and following that will migrate its way up the spinal cord and finally to the brain. The process overall can be quite slow, in occasional cases taking one year for the victim to develop symptoms. However, the average time between bite and detectable virus samples in the brain is 20 to 30 days. The time period from bite to symptoms depends on the site of the bite in relation to the brain, severity of the bite and amount of virus in the bite.

Once symptoms are noted treatment is nearly impossible. There are symptom classifications—the furious stage and the dumb stage. In the furious stage, the animal becomes highly excitable and displays signs of severe hunger, chewing on inappropriate objects including eating rocks and/or dirt. The animal typically dies following a violent seizure. The other form is the dumb or comatose form. It is one of the more commonly observed stages. The animal develops progressive paralysis involving its limbs, distortion of the face and has difficulty swallowing. The patient eventually becomes comatose and passes away.

Rabies is a highly preventable disease through a widely available vaccine. The vaccine is available for dogs, cats, ferrets, horses, cattle and small ruminants. Any other animal vaccinated for rabies is classified as an off-label use, and the pharmaceutical companies as well as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will not verify its efficacy. Dogs and cats are typically given an initial vaccination that is then boostered 12 months later. The second rabies vaccination is then good for three years, if given under proper guidelines by the local health department and with the appropriate medical history. All other species that receive the rabies vaccine are considered immunized for only a 12-month period and therefore require yearly vaccinations. Only a licensed veterinarian may give the vaccine. If any other individual gives the vaccine, they can be subject to fines as well as jail time. It is very important to be sure that all your animals are current on their rabies vaccinations and proper documentation preserved for future reference.

If your animal is bitten or even just comes into contact by a rabid animal, it is vital to seek veterinary care urgently to address the wound as well as receive a booster vaccination. The booster must be given even if your pet had a vaccine a week prior to the incident. If an animal is suspected of contracting rabies, a veterinarian is required by law to contact the local/state health officials. The appropriate authorities will then determine the necessary steps to properly protect the public. If an animal is suspected to have rabies and a current vaccination cannot be proven with proper paperwork, an order can be issued to euthanize it for testing in the appropriate laboratories.

Currently there is no treatment available for the rabies virus, and therefore proper vaccination and preventing potential bite exposures are essential. If you suspect there to be a rabid animal, all cases should be reported to the local health department. If you have questions regarding your pet’s rabies vaccine status, be sure to contact your family veterinarian.

[Dr. D’Abbraccio, D.V.M. can be contacted at Catskill Veterinary Services or by email at jdabbracciodvm@icloud.com.]

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