The Dangers of Rabies
2019 Winterby Rose Malisani
Rose Malisani is an MSU Extension agent in Cascade County
If you’ve seen the American film Old Yeller, you may recall the heartbreaking scene where Travis has to euthanize Old Yeller after the beloved dog was bitten by a rabid wolf. While the story serves as entertainment, the message and danger of rabies is real.
Rabies is a deadly virus that affects the nervous system of mammals. The virus can be spread through saliva when an infected mammal bites another mammal or when saliva encounters wounds, eyes, nose, or the mouth of another mammal. Once the mammal contracts rabies, it travels through the nerves to the brain. Rabies can be fatal if left untreated and mammals showing outward signs of rabies normally die.
Mammals infected with rabies may show an array of signs, which include aggression, drooling, staggering, paralysis, and seizure. While aggression is common, signs of affection, self-mutilation and sensitivity to light may also be expressed. A common scenario for suspecting rabies is when a nocturnal animal is seen during daylight and exhibiting signs of rabies listed above.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of rabies-related human deaths in the United States has declined, from more than 100 annually in the early 1900s to just one or two per year. Rabies is a larger concern worldwide with more than 59,000 deaths per year. Most of these deaths occur in Africa and Asia when children come in contact with feral dogs.
In the event that a domestic or livestock animal is suspected to have contacted rabies and is euthanized, brain tissue samples of the infected mammal should be sent to the Montana Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Bozeman, MT. It is best to work with a local veterinarian to collect fresh brain tissue from the infected mammal. Veterinarians are trained to collect the sample and know proper protocol to submit to the laboratory. Veterinarians will submit the prepared head of small mammals such as skunks, dogs, and cats, while the intact brain of large mammals such as horses and cows will be submitted. The entire carcass of smaller mammals such as bats are required to be submitted to the Montana Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
The good news is that rabies can be prevented through vaccinations. To decrease the chance of a domestic animal contracting rabies, contact your local veterinarian to place a pet on a vaccination program. Also, observe your pet for bite marks if they roam outside. Do not feed pets outdoors, as food can attract skunks, raccoons, foxes and other potential virus-carrying species. Another way to protect yourself and domestic pets from the rabies virus is to bat-proof your home; bats are a common vector for the virus. Consult a veterinarian immediately if you suspect a pet has been bitten. Vaccinated domestic pets should be given a booster vaccine and kept under owner observation for 45 days. Unvaccinated pets should be euthanized, or, consult a veterinarian for a quarantine period. Humans who have been bitten must wash the wound vigorously with soap and flush with water for 15 minutes. Disinfect immediately with iodine or ethanol after washing. Securing the mammal that bit you is also extremely important. Leave the head intact for testing if the animal is put down. Most importantly, contact a physician immediately after being in contact with a mammal suspected of having rabies.
Remember that rabies is preventable through vaccinations and animal control. Be cautious when around mammals expressing signs of rabies and consult a veterinarian or physician if rabies is suspected or contact with an animal with rabies is confirmed.