Rabies Prevention

Definition of Rabies

Rabies is a viral disease that infects the brain and results in death.

Rabies can Infect

• Humans
• Dogs
• Cats
• Livestock and any other mammal
• Bats

Transmission

The rabies virus is carried in the saliva of an infected animal and can be transmitted when the animal bites or scratches another animal or person. The saliva from an infected animal coming in contact with any area such as an open wound or skin break can transmit the virus.

Animals that Carry Rabies

Skunks and bats are the most common wild animals found to have rabies, though any mammal can carry the virus. Livestock, like cattle and horses, may be vaccinated against rabies, but may have to be tested if suspected to be rabid.

Symptoms - Warning Signs

A dog or cat that is infected with rabies may transmit the disease for several days before symptoms appear. The earliest sign of rabies is a change in behavior. This change in behavior may be very subtle, so it is extremely important to wash and report all animal bites.

Two Behavior Types of Rabies

• Furious Rabies Behavior is aggressive and excitable. The animal can suddenly attack when approached.
• Dumb Rabies Unusually shy or approachable, sluggish, confused, and/or depressed.

Other Symptoms

Excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth, and paralysis.

Protecting Pets

Vaccination

Getting your dogs and cats vaccinated is their best protection against the rabies virus. Dogs and cats should be vaccinated when they are five months old and revaccinated a year later. Vaccination shots do not last the lifetime of your pet. Revaccination is required every 1 to 3 years. In Wisconsin, all dogs are required to be vaccinated and in Madison, cats must also be vaccinated.

Additional Protection

Keep wild and unfamiliar animals away from your pets. Don't bring stray animals home.

Protecting Yourself

Vaccination

People do not need to be vaccinated from rabies unless they are exposed to the virus. The best protection for people against rabies is to get their pets vaccinated.

Precautions

• Avoid wild animals.
• Avoid any animal with symptoms of rabies.
• Do not approach or touch unfamiliar animals.
• Do not take in stray animals.
• Block any openings into your house that an animal may get in through.
• Keep tamper-proof lids on outside garbage cans so animals are not attracted to your property.

Human Exposure to Rabies

If you have been bitten or scratched by an animal

• Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water.
• Contact Public Health - Madison & Dane County where it is reported to an Animal Services Officer. If no Animal Services Officer is on duty, contact Police Dispatch at 608-255-2345. You should also contact your physician immediately.

If the animal is wild:

• Keep an eye on the animal so that it can be captured. It is okay for you to capture the animal if you can do so without being bitten again.
• If it is necessary to kill the animal, avoid damaging the head so it may be sent to a lab for examination.
• If the test results come back positive for rabies, you will need to be vaccinated immediately.
• If the animal did not have rabies, you were not exposed at the time of the incident.
• If the animal was not captured, it is assumed that the animal was rabid and you will need to be vaccinated immediately.

If the animal is domestic:

• Determine if the animal is currently vaccinated by checking the rabies tag on the collar or having the owner call his/her veterinarian.
• All domestic animals involved in a human exposure incident need to be placed on a 10-day quarantine.
• The pet needs to be examined by a veterinarian before, during and after the quarantine.
• If the animal exhibits no signs of rabies, it was not contagious at the time of the incident and you were not exposed.
• If the animal shows signs of rabies, it will be euthanized and you need to be vaccinated immediately.

Pet Exposure to Rabies

Rabid Pets

Contact your veterinarian and Animal Services if you suspect your pet of having rabies. Keep children and other people away from the pet until it is examined by a veterinarian. The pet will be quarantined if it was exposed to a rabid animal. It must be isolated from other animals and human contact limited. There are two types of quarantines for pets which have been exposed to another rabid animal:

60-day quarantine

A pet currently vaccinated for rabies is placed in a 60-day quarantine and is to be immediately revaccinated.

6 month quarantine

A pet not currently vaccinated is placed in a 6 month quarantine. It is not to be vaccinated until the 5th month. If the pet is suspected of having rabies, it is euthanized.

Prevention is the Best Medicine . . . and that's what public health is all about.

Prevention will help save you money, pain and your life. If you have questions or concerns about a health issue, contact the Health Department, a veterinarian or physician.