What is Rabies?
Rabies is a viral disease, that affects the brain and central nervous system, and can be spread to mammals (including people and animals- both wild and domestic) through contact with saliva or nervous tissues from an infected animal.
The most common way rabies virus is transmitted is through a bite or scratch from a rabid animal. Rabies can also be spread when infected saliva or nervous tissue comes in contact with an open wound or is introduced into a mucous membrane like the eyes, nose or mouth.
In most cases, once symptoms appear, rabies virus is almost always fatal. Symptoms of a rabid animal may include:
- trouble walking or standing
- weakness
- paralysis
- seizures
- difficulty breathing
- difficulty eating/drinking/swallowing
- excessive salivation
- change in vocalizations
- behavioral changes (aggressive, quiet/depressed, unusually friendly)
- self mutilation
The main animals that transmit rabies in Ontario include: bats, skunks, raccoons and foxes.
FORMS OR RABIES
DUMB: Is the more common form. There is progressive paralysis involving limbs, distortion of the face and a smiliar difficulty swallowing. Owners will frequently think the pet has something stuck in the mouth or throat. Care should be taken in examination since rabies may be transmitted by saliva. Ultimately the pet become comatose and dies.
FURIOUS: Occurs when the rabid pet becomes highly excitable and displays evidence of a depraved appetite, eating and chewing stones, earth and rubbish(pica). Paralysis eventually sets in and the rabid animal may be unable to eat and drink. Hydrophobia (fear of water) is not a sign of rabies in pets. This is a feature of human rabies. The disease progressively affects the nervous system and the pet usually dies during episodes of violen seizing. Furious rabies is the less common form of clinic disease in pets.
PREVENTATIVES:
1) Keep your pet up to date on the Rabies vaccine:
In Ontario, under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, Regulation 567, animal owners have a legal obligation to maintain rabies vaccinations for their animals. Dogs, cats and ferrets that are 12 weeks of age or older must be vaccinated. Vaccine boosters every one or three years (depending on manufacturers guidelines) are required to maintain immunity levels.
2) Wildlife proofing your backyard (if possible)
3) Staying away from wildlife and other animals (pets) if vaccine status is unknown.
4) Keep your pet leashed when on walks, and supervised while in the yard.
5) Calling Wildlife services, such as animal control, if seeing a sick / injured / deceased animal.
WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF EXPOSURE:
If you or your animal may have been exposed to rabies through a bite, scratch or saliva exposure to an open wound or mucous membrances, you should reach out to the proper Ontario Ministry or your Veterinarian. A risk assessment can be completed to determine the required actions (e.g. quarantine or confinement period, testing, post exposure vaccine for you or your animal).
https://oavt.org/rabies-response-program/rabies-response-program-rrp-rabies-public-portal/
https://oavt.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Who-to-call-when.pdf
https://oavt.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024-rrp-RabiesinOntario-infosheet.p
