What You Need to Know About Rabies

So you finally cave to your child’s constant request for a puppy or a kitten. Now what?

As a parent, the importance of keeping your pet vaccinated cannot be stressed enough. The health of your pet will affect the health of your child. Their possible diseases, worms, and infections are a danger to your child as well.

But of all the viruses that pets should be vaccinated against, rabies is the most important. Why is this? 

An alarming amount of newer and even old pet owners aren’t thoroughly educated about the dangers of rabies and the importance of its annual vaccine. 

Parents, pet-parents, and both, it’s time to educate yourselves.

The Virus

The causative agent in rabies is called Lyssavirus from the family Rhabdoviridae. It is transmitted through contact with body fluids of infected animals—through bites or scratches. The virus is not passed from a plain scratch per se; rather, the virus is transferred to the animal’s nails when they lick their paws. Hence, the virus can be transmitted from the animal’s lick as well, if it is done on an open wound. 

The virus migrates to the brain and nothing can be done once it reaches the brain. This is why most treatment is done early on, while the virus is still traveling up.

Here are some myths that are generally known about rabies:

• Myth #1: Dogs are born with rabies.
  • Dogs are not born with rabies, the virus is contracted from other rabid animals.
  • Having a happy, friendly dog is a good sign – observation is very important, since aggression can be a sign of infection.
• Myth #2: Infected pups have higher virulence (higher possibility of the disease process to occur) than adult dogs.
  • There is no scientific evidence that backs this up.
  • Although, puppies can be exposed to infection through the licks and bites of their rabid mother.
• Myth #3: Dogs will only die once they bite a human host, or after passing on the virus.
  • Dogs will eventually die after being infected, whether or not they bite a human host.
  • This assumption is made based on the protocol of having the dog observed after a human is bitten by it; observation usually begins at that time since it is a sign of aggression.

Notable Facts 

• Dogs after developing clinical signs of rabies will only live up to 10 days at maximum.

This happens whether or not the dog bites a person. The virus travels up to the dog’s brain, causing changes in its behavior, possibly making it highly aggressive.

• A major symptom is paralysis of certain muscles—such as the jaw, muscles surrounding the throat, hind legs, etc.

This paralysis causes mouth-foaming, disorientation and incoordination, weakness, seizures and eventual death.

Things to Consider in Case of a Bite

• Environmental history: Does your dog have possible exposure to rabid animals? 
  • If your dog is not a stray and is often just kept at home, it is highly unlikely for him to have rabies.
  • If your dog’s vaccination is up to date, acquiring the disease from a rabid animal bite can be prevented. In effect, you immunize your family as well.
• If you are not sure if the dog that bit you is infected, a first dose of the vaccine can be administered to the human; aside from this, the dog should be observed for any developing signs of rabies.
  • The vaccine must be given immediately after the suspected rabid bite.
  • If the dog remains healthy and well after 10 days, the continuing doses may no longer be necessary; a decision that must be made by a health professional or an expert on risk assessment.

• Immediately clean the area of the bite with soap and water, even if your dog is not rabid, the wound can still be infected by other invading bacteria since the bite results in an open wound. 
  • Tetanus is a common bacterial infection acquired in open wounds, this is why an anti-tetanus shot is recommended when bitten.

---

Sources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), How Can You Prevent Rabies in Animals? (https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/prevention/animals.html)

World Health Organization (WHO), FAQs on Rabies. (https://www.who.int/rabies/resources/SEA_CD_278_FAQs_Rabies.pdf)

World Health Organization (WHO), Pre- and Post-exposure Prophylaxis Guidelines (https://www.who.int/rabies/PEP_Prophylaxis_guideline_15_12_2014.pdf)