Dr. Cynthia Maro: Rabies facts for pet owners

In the U.S., in 2022, there were 3,579 reported cases of rabies infections. All of those cases were confirmed through brain biopsy of the deceased animal and that is the only way to make a definite diagnosis. There are no blood tests available to diagnose rabies in non-human animals.

Throughout the world, there are tens of thousands of people who die from rabies annually. It is not an easy death. In many other countries, rabid animals run in the streets, woods and outdoor areas, spreading the disease to pets and people. Without programs, education and funding to prevent the spread of rabies, the disease continues to spread in other countries.

Even in the U.S., there are approximately one to three human deaths annually from rabies. That number is so low because most possible or known rabies-exposure patients receive prophylactic injections which prevent the disease from incubating and reaching the central nervous system.

In the U.S,, veterinarians participated and continue to advocate for rabies prevention to decrease the spread from wildlife to pets. Human and pet animal deaths from rabies virus infection have greatly reduced since the 1960s, when rabies was a more common cause of death in dogs.

But, even with decades of preventive vaccines and education, rabies has not been eradicated in the U.S. and continues to be a problem in Pennsylvania.

All mammals are susceptible to rabies and that is the reason why vaccines are a legal requirement for pets – a body’s antibody response to the vaccine prevents an animal from contracting and spreading the disease.

There are many misconceptions regarding the rabies virus.

Sept. 28 is World Rabies Day. This is a good time to brush up on rabies information and to ensure your pets are up to date on their vaccines. It’s also a good time to remind kids to be cautious around wildlife and unknown and stray animals.

Rabies facts:

1. The virus is 100% fatal once the brain/central nervous system becomes infected.  This is true for humans, as well as other animals.
2. Pets, wildlife, bats, farm animals and humans can become infected through scratches and bites from carrier animals.
3. After introducing a new, non-vaccinated body, the virus takes time to reproduce and reach the central nervous system.
4. The virus can be easily killed with soap and water, but it is difficult to disinfect wounds from bites fully.  Antibiotics are not effective in killing the virus.
5. Symptoms of rabies vary widely between patients, and they can include:
   1. Anxiety, pacing
   2. Insomnia, inability to settle to sleep
   3. Confusion, disorientation
   4. Agitation, aggression
   5. Delirium
   6. Hallucinations
   7. Inability to swallow or hydrophobia (fear of water)
   8. Hypersalivation
   9. Seizures
   10. Lameness, dragging a limb or changes in gait

When a person or pet is bitten by a wild or stray animal, the best course of action is to try to find or contain the animal so it can be quarantined and observed for 10 days. If the animal dies within 10 days, then the brain can be tested for the virus. If the brain tests positive, then rabies prophylaxis protocol is advised for humans.

For rabies-exposed pets who have never been vaccinated, the state will order euthanasia.

A first regular rabies vaccine administered after a bite from a rabid animal will NOT be enough to prevent rabies development in pets and humans.

If a previously vaccinated pet or person is bitten by an animal that runs off and the animal cannot be found to be quarantined for 10 days, then a rabies booster shot is given to remind the immune system to inactivate the virus before it reaches the brain.

If an animal bites a human and the animal cannot be found, then a rabies prophylaxis protocol is followed to protect the human.

The post-exposure (post-bite) rabies protocol involves giving four or five injections over 10 days, depending on the immune status of the human patient.

It is important to remember these facts:

1. If bitten or scratched, ID and contain the animal, report to health and law enforcement authorities who can help find the animal.
2. Get your wounds treated by a doctor or emergency center and be sure the doctor reports the bite.
3. If the animal that did the biting is not found and quarantined, be sure to start rabies prophylactic treatment and don’t take chances.
4. Keep pets up to date on rabies vaccines.
5. If a pet owner tells you their pet “is up to date,” don’t believe it without seeing the actual certificate. Don’t rely on the tag, which can be switched between animals. No certificate means you have no proof.
6. Teach kids not to approach wildlife and stray pets. Also, teach them what to do if bitten or scratched (see above).

If you have questions about the safety of rabies vaccines for your pet, please discuss them with your veterinarian.

Dr. Cynthia Maro is a veterinarian at the Ellwood Animal Hospital in Ellwood City and the Chippewa Animal Hospital in Chippewa Township. She writes a biweekly column on pet care and health issues. If you have a topic you’d like to have addressed, email ellwoodvet@msn.com.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Dr. Cynthia Maro: Rabies facts for pet owners