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Ruka Eurasier~ SUIT UP! 
Rabies and Your Dog
Rabies is probably the most feared pet disease. More so perhaps due to the fact that rabies can be passed from pet to human. So what is the "mad dog" disease?
The fear in some ways is realistic... it can kill... any warm-blooded mammal (including humans). And it's not a pleasant death. Rabies in the United States has been almost eradicated. In fact, it's believed to be completely nonexistent in Hawaii. Worldwide tho, many people and animals die from rabies.
Vaccination is pretty much the only way to stop rabies from spreading.
Rabies is primarily spread through the saliva of an infected animal who bites another animal or person. Raccoon, skunk, bats, coyotes and foxes are the most common virus spreaders. The virus doesn't live long outside of a warm-blooded body.
Aside from swirling bats, we mostly think of rabid dogs. In fact, more cats are infected than dogs. This is likely because:
a) cats are more likely than dogs to roam around;
b) every U.S. State requires dogs be vaccinated, not every State requires cats get vaccinated and fewer cats do get vaccinated (some estimates hold that only about 10% of cats get a rabies vaccination);
c) there are more cats than dogs.
Being bitten by an infected animal doesn't guarantee the bitten one will become infected. People, cats and dogs are mildly susceptible. It's been speculated there's a 15% probability exposure will lead to disease. So all in all there aren't a lot of full blown rabid pets or humans in the US in a given year.
If infected, it generally takes 3-8 weeks to shows signs of the disease. There is no cure or treatment - once you become symptomatic, it most cases you'll die and often within 10 days.
Three Stages to Rabies Disease
Rabies has three stages. Not every animal will gp through Stage 2.
Prodomal Stage - lasts 2-3 days and includes fever, slow eye reflexes, chewing at the bit site and behavioral changes such as apprehension, nervousness and anxiety. Animals often will display atypical behavior - friendly animals will become aggressive and aggressive animals will become shy and docile.
Furious Stage - lasts 2-4 days and includes erratic behavior such as irritability, restlessness, aggression, attacking inanimate objects, hyper-responsive to visual and audible stimulus and roaming. It may also include seizures and disorientation.
Paralytic Stage - lasts 2-4 days and includes developing paralysis often starting at the bite site and moving to the throat and face which results in drooling and foaming at the mouth. Respiratory paralysis leads to coma and death.
Diagnosis and Treatment
The only true diagnosis involves testing brain tissue... which can't be done if the animal is alive. Saliva and spinal fluid test can be done on live animals but are not completely reliable.
If your dog has been bitten or scratched by a wild animal and you don't know the status of that animal, you should assume the animal is infected.
If your dog has been vaccinated, clean the wound immediately, revaccinate and quarantine him for 90 days.
If your dog has NOT been vaccinated, quarantine for 6 months and vaccinate at the 5-month point.
In most cases, State laws will require the dog be quarantined.
Vaccination
The rabies vaccine is very effective in preventing rabies if a dog is bitten by an infected animal.
The vaccine protocol is once as a puppy (generally around 12 weeks), once a year later and then it varies. Studies show the vaccine is effective for 7 or more years but most municipalities require revaccination every 3 years or less.
About the Author
Vaccines for dogs and catsare not without risk. Know enough about the risks and benefits of vaccines to feel comfortable deciding how to best care for your companion. Keep them healthy, happy and in your life. Get more vaccine and nutrition guidelines for well cared for pets at DogAndCatZone.com
