Pet Care
Rabies
Background
The rabies virus has been around since the second century BC, but has only been a serious problem in Ontario since the 1950's. Despite a drop in rabies incidents over the past few years, Southern Ontario still has the highest concentration of animal rabies in North America. The most effective method of rabies control has proved to be live trapping, vaccinating and release of healthy wildlife before rabies becomes a problem.
Watch for…
Foxes and skunks are potentially the main carriers of the rabies virus. Bats, raccoons and groundhogs are less likely to carry the disease but are still potential carriers.
A dramatic change in behaviour is a sign of rabies in wildlife. A relatively shy animal may become aggressive; a normally aggressive animal, withdrawn. Drooling, disorientation, stumbling, unfounded aggression or any other strange behaviour should be reported to your local humane society or animal control department immediately.
Symptoms of rabies in domestic animals fall into two categories:
- ”Furious” rabies, which is seen in 75 per cent of cats who have contracted the virus. Signs of furious rabies are extreme aggression and bizarre behaviour (such as erratic walking patterns, biting at everything and wild running).
- ”Dumb” rabies, which is seen in 75 per cent of dogs who have contracted the virus. Signs of dumb rabies are lethargy, weakness and, often paralysis. Paralysis of throat muscles causes the characteristic frothing and drooling, because the affected animal is unable to swallow.
What to do…
The most common ways your pet can contract the rabies virus are through bites or scratches by infected animals or by coming in contact with that infected animal's body fluid, especially saliva. If your pet is not vaccinated and/or has broken skin (from a wound) anywhere on his body, your pet is susceptible to the rabies virus.
- To prevent your companion animal from becoming a rabies victim , always keep your pet's vaccinations up to date. Keeping your cat indoors and your dog on a leash at all times when outside are also safe and effective ways to avoid any chance of contact with rabid animals.
- The rabies virus has an incubation period of 10 days to one year. An infected animal may be contagious four or five days before actual symptoms appear. To be safe, if you suspect rabies, always have your pet checked.
- If you think your animal is acting strangely , or know it has been bitten by a wild animal, take your pet to a veterinarian immediately. If your pet has had contact with a wild animal, do not handle your pet without wearing gloves.
Humans are also susceptible to the virus. In 1992, roughly 2,400 people in southern Ontario (including members of the general public, wildlife workers and farmers) received anti-rabies vaccine.
- Vaccination usually consists of five relatively painless shots given in the arm over a four-week period to prevent the development of rabies. If the shots are not started soon after a bite occurs, they will not work. Once symptoms develop, rabies is fatal in animals and people.
- If you think you may have been bitten or exposed to rabies, contact your physician immediately. Cleanse the injured area with soap and flush the wound immediately to remove the infection.
Protect yourself…
You can protect yourself, your family and your pet from rabies in the following ways:
- Vaccinate all your pets.
- Never let your pet roam unattended (take your cat out for a walk using a leash and harness).
- Never let your pet out unattended at night.
- Educate your children and yourself about rabies and wildlife.
- If you see an animal behaving strangely or drooling excessively, contact your local humane society or animal control department immediately.
- Do not approach any domestic or wild animal that is acting strangely. Contact your local humane society or animal control department immediately.
- Do not touch dead animals. Contact your local humane society or animal control department.
- Do feed the birds. Do not feed wildlife.
- Do not panic when you see wildlife. Observe from a distance and enjoy.
- Do not approach wild animals too closely or try to keep them as pets.
- Do not touch immature wildlife, no matter how cute.
- If you feed local feral (wild) cats, do so only during the day and remove any uneaten food before dark to prevent conflict between cats and wildlife. If you can safely secure your local feral (wild) cats and wish to help, have them vaccinated immediately. Do not touch feral (wild) cat with bare hands - Use a pair of gardening gloves.
- Ensure garbage cans have raccoon-proof lids or keep them in a secure enclosure and never leave them out overnight.
- Keep wildlife from living in and around your home by sealing any holes, capping chimneys and screening windows. For more information about how to deter wildlife from living in your home or on your property, contact the Information Co-ordinator at 416 392-2273.
Rabies protection benefits you, your family and your pet!
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