What is rabies?

Rabies is a disease that is caused by a virus.  It affects the central nervous system and is almost always fatal in humans and animals.

What do you mean by "central nervous system"?

The central nervous system involves the brain and spinal cord.  Something that affects the central nervous system affects all of the senses, balance, and muscles, including the heart muscle.

What kinds of animals get rabies?

Any warm-blooded animal can get rabies.  Some animals are more susceptible than others.  Wild animals like raccoons, skunks, foxes, bats, coyotes and wolves are the main carriers of the virus, but dogs, cats, ferrets, cows, and humans can get it, too.

What about those crazy squirrels in my backyard?  Should I worry about them?

Rabies is rarely found in squirrels, rabbits, opossums, chipmunks, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, rats or mice.  No human has ever contracted rabies from one of these animals.  However, if you are bitten by one of these, you should still talk with your doctor since the bite can get infected.

How do people and animals get rabies?

The rabies virus is found in the saliva of an infected animal so most people and animals get rabies from being bitten by a rabid animal.  It is also possible to get rabies from a "non-bite contact" with an infected animal.  This means that the rabies virus can enter the body through a scratch or open cut or sore.  It's also possible for the virus to enter the body through eyes, nose, or mouth.

So rabies can be spread in the air?

It's possible, but not likely.  Inhalation of the rabies virus can occur in a laboratory or in a cave that's filled with rabid bats, but those instances are pretty rare and most of us wouldn't have to be concerned with getting it that way.

How can I tell if an animal has rabies?

Very often you can't tell if an animal has rabies, especially in the early stages.  Some of the early signs include a change in behavior, fever, loss of appetite, and often a change in the way an animal sounds, like a different tone in a dog's bark.  These signs can be very mild and are easily missed.  A few days after this, the animal may become very restless and agitated and start to tremble.  A very excited dog may bark constantly and viciously attack any moving object, animal or person.  This state usually lasts 3—7 days and is followed by convulsions and paralysis.  Sometimes the period of agitation and excitability is absent and paralysis develops very quickly.  During this time, you may see a lot of drooling or foaming at the mouth.

 

How can I tell if a bat has rabies?  I've never heard of one foaming at the mouth.

The only way to know for sure if any animal has rabies is to do laboratory testing.  However, a good rule is to be wary of any bat that is active during the day or is found in a place where you wouldn't ordinarily expect it to be, like your bedroom.  Also, if you see one that appears weak or sick and can't fly, it probably is more likely to be rabid.

What should I do if I find a dead bat in my house?

Don't handle the bat without wearing thick gloves!   Even if you think you have not been bitten or scratched by the bat, contact your medical provider immediately.  Safely preserve the bat and contact  Animal Control to have it tested for rabies.

What should I do if I think I've been in contact with a rabid animal?

If you have been bitten or scratched by a wild or unknown animal, you should 1) Clean the wound immediately with soap and water to remove the saliva from the area.  Allowing the wound to bleed a little also helps to clean it; 2) See a medical provider immediately; 3) Call Animal Control for further assistance and 4) Call the Health Department at 704.336.6440.

 

I was bitten by a stray cat and was told I need to take the rabies shots when I couldn't find the cat. Does the Health Department give these shots?

No.  You will need to go to a hospital emergency department for your initial visit.  Sometimes medical providers can obtain the vaccine for follow-up visits.

 

I think a raccoon bit my dog.  Why can't they just test my dog for rabies?

There is no simple blood test to test you or your pet for rabies.  The only way we can test an animal for rabies is to test the animal's brain tissue.  That means that the animal must be dead before testing is done. 

How can I protect my pets from rabies?

The most obvious thing is to have your pets checked by a veterinarian on a regular basis and keep rabies vaccinations up-to-date for all dogs, cats and ferrets (sheep, cattle and horses, too).  Keep cats and ferrets indoors and directly supervise your dogs when they are outdoors.  Keeping a dog chained in your back yard keeps it pretty defenseless against a rabid animal.  Spay or neuter pets to reduce the number of unwanted animals that are not properly cared for and unvaccinated.  And lastly, call animal control to remove stray animals from your neighborhood.  

You can take away the "welcome mat" around your home for wild animals and teach children to never handle unfamiliar animals.  You should also avoid contact with wild or unfamiliar animals even when they are dead.

 

How can I protect my family and myself from rabies?

The single most important thing you can do to protect you and your loved ones from rabies is to vaccinate your pet and keep the vaccination current.  Even though the majority of rabies cases occur in wildlife, the amount of contact that people have with wild animals is minimal compared to the contact they have with their pets.  Most humans are given the rabies vaccine as a result of their exposure to their own pets and other domestic animals.  If your pet has been in a fight with a wild animal, wear thick gloves when handling your pet and checking it for injury. 

 

Where can I get more information about rabies?

You can go to the CDC's website at http://www.cdc.gov/ or call the Health Department at 704.336.6440.