Rabies is a viral infection that affects the brain and nervous system. It is transmitted via a rabid animal’s bite. The incubation duration of the virus, or the time between infection and the beginning of symptoms, is rather long: approximately two months on average. Rabies immunization is effective even after infection because of the virus’s long incubation period. However, once symptoms arise, the disease advances inexorably and unabatedly.
What are the symptoms of rabies?
Rabies symptoms include fatigue, sore throat, chills, vomiting, and headache. After a week, these symptoms develop, including disorientation, hallucinations, strange behavior, hyperactivity, and swallowing difficulty. The ultimate stage of rabies includes paralysis, unconsciousness, and, eventually, death. If you suspect your pet to have rabies, take it immediately to the closest emergency vet Suwanee Ga has available.
How is rabies transmitted?
Rabies is transmitted via contact with the saliva of an infected animal. While any mammal can become infected with rabies, raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes are the most common in the United States. Rabies is transferred via the bite of an infected animal. Rabies can also be transmitted by licking an open wound, cutting, scratching, or licking an infected animal’s mouth, eyes, or nose. Petting a rabid animal will not result in rabies transmission.
If you or a household member is bitten by a rabid animal, clean the wound thoroughly and immediately contact the local health authority or an infectious disease expert (at a hospital) to determine which animals in the area are prone to spread rabies.
How should someone who has been bitten by a potentially rabid animal be treated?
Here are the following measures that should be taken to treat persons who a potentially rabid animal has bitten:
- Clean the wound gently with soap and water.
- Give rabies immune globulin (RIG),* a serum preparation obtained from people with high levels of anti-rabies antibodies in their blood. RIG should be injected into and around the wound to prevent the rabies virus from adhering to the neurological system.
- Start the rabies vaccine sequence right away.*
- Speak with animal control.
When is rabies vaccination not necessary?
If the animal (for example, a dog or cat) has lived or been observed in the region for ten days, it can be observed to see if it is behaving properly.
- If the animal shows no signs of rabies after ten days, no treatment is necessary.
- Also, animals immunized against rabies are unlikely to transfer the disease, which is another reason to ensure that your animals are rabies-vaccinated.
Mice, rats, squirrels, rabbits, birds, and chipmunks do not carry the rabies virus. There is no proof that reptiles, amphibians, or fish have rabies or have transmitted it.
When is rabies vaccination necessary?
- If no one knows the animal and it cannot be observed, or if the animal is discovered in a country where rabid animals are common, treatment should begin immediately.
- If the animal shows any signs of rabies within ten days of being observed (such as strange or unusual behavior), treatment should begin immediately.
Raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats are all potential rabies carriers. Unvaccinated companion animals, such as dogs and cats, can spread rabies which is why it is always preferable to take your pet to places like Heart of Suwanee Animal Hospital on a regular basis.
Conclusion
While human immunization can prevent deaths, it will never be enough to eradicate the disease, and expenses will continue to climb in the future. Investing in eradicating the risk of rabies at its source is the most cost-effective option. Vaccinating at least 70% of dogs in high-risk areas is now largely accepted as the most effective prevention of human rabies death.