Rabies - A Real Threat Or All Hype?
We have all heard so many different things about rabies that it is hard to separate myth from facts.
When puppies receive their vaccinations, one of the shots in the series is a rabies vaccination.
People that live in rural areas often worry about their pets being bitten by a wild animal because that animal may have rabies.
We all remember the movie Old Yeller don't we? The first thing most people worry about when they are bitten by an animal is if that animal has rabies.
Most animal control departments will quarantine domestic pets until either the owner can show vaccination records or until tests can be completed showing the animal does not have rabies.
If possible, wild animals will be captured and tested.
How many times have you heard people say, "oh, watch out for raccoons, or squirrels, or whatever type of animal, because they have rabies.
" I heard that all the time growing up.
Even now as an adult I still hear it.
A few months ago I was in an area along the coast that is home to a lot of ground squirrels.
There are signs all over the place advising people not to feed the squirrels.
This is mainly for a couple of reasons.
One of the reasons is because people food is not good for the squirrels and it causes them to learn to beg for food from people rather than forage for food like nature intended.
The other risk is that, while although cute and cuddly, they are still wild animals and can bite you.
As I was watching people ignore the "please do not feed" signs, I overheard one father tell his young son, "look out, they all have rabies.
" Not only do they not all have rabies, but chances are that none of them have rabies.
But, and it is a big but (no pun intended), if one of the squirrels did have rabies it could be very dangerous.
Let's start out with, what is rabies? Rabies is a viral disease that can be carried by any mammal.
It is normally transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal, that is, an animal carrying the virus.
The virus is typically spread through the saliva of an animal that bites and breaks the skin.
The virus attacks the central nervous system of its host causing several different problems.
In animals, the virus can cause them to become combative and highly aggressive.
In animals and humans both, extreme muscle soreness and pain sets in, especially in the muscles associated with swallowing.
This can cause extreme thirst in both humans and animals.
Symptoms for animals will usually develop within 20 to 60 days after contracting the disease.
Death generally occurs a few days after symptoms appear, usually from respiratory failure.
Humans can carry the virus for around 25 to 50 days before symptoms show.
People will typically suffer from headaches, extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, and fevers.
Once symptoms begin showing, it only takes a week or so before serious nervous system damage sets in.
Once in that stage, it is likely a person with rabies will die.
They generally die either from respiratory failure or cardiac arrest.
If properly treated, rabies is rarely fatal.
Treatment needs to begin before the symptoms set in.
Although there is no reason to spread fear and panic by thinking all wild animals carry rabies, due caution needs to be used.
Personally, I do not feed the squirrels because I do not want to make them dependent on people food and I do not want to get bit.
I am not very worried about contracting rabies from them.
However, because of the deadly nature of rabies, you should seek immediate medical attention if bit.
Wash the wound with water and soap and head straight for your doctor or local emergency room.
For wild animals, if possible have animal control capture the animal so that they can be tested for rabies.
For domestic animals, still have animal control get involved and confirm the animal's health.
Typically, domestic animals account for about ten percent of rabies cases.
Those animals are usually dogs, cats, and cows.
Rabies is a very serious disease and you should vaccinate your pets against it and protect yourself by using caution when around wild or unfamiliar animals.
However, there is no need for all out panic and concern.
Enjoy life and enjoy our furry friends too.
When puppies receive their vaccinations, one of the shots in the series is a rabies vaccination.
People that live in rural areas often worry about their pets being bitten by a wild animal because that animal may have rabies.
We all remember the movie Old Yeller don't we? The first thing most people worry about when they are bitten by an animal is if that animal has rabies.
Most animal control departments will quarantine domestic pets until either the owner can show vaccination records or until tests can be completed showing the animal does not have rabies.
If possible, wild animals will be captured and tested.
How many times have you heard people say, "oh, watch out for raccoons, or squirrels, or whatever type of animal, because they have rabies.
" I heard that all the time growing up.
Even now as an adult I still hear it.
A few months ago I was in an area along the coast that is home to a lot of ground squirrels.
There are signs all over the place advising people not to feed the squirrels.
This is mainly for a couple of reasons.
One of the reasons is because people food is not good for the squirrels and it causes them to learn to beg for food from people rather than forage for food like nature intended.
The other risk is that, while although cute and cuddly, they are still wild animals and can bite you.
As I was watching people ignore the "please do not feed" signs, I overheard one father tell his young son, "look out, they all have rabies.
" Not only do they not all have rabies, but chances are that none of them have rabies.
But, and it is a big but (no pun intended), if one of the squirrels did have rabies it could be very dangerous.
Let's start out with, what is rabies? Rabies is a viral disease that can be carried by any mammal.
It is normally transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal, that is, an animal carrying the virus.
The virus is typically spread through the saliva of an animal that bites and breaks the skin.
The virus attacks the central nervous system of its host causing several different problems.
In animals, the virus can cause them to become combative and highly aggressive.
In animals and humans both, extreme muscle soreness and pain sets in, especially in the muscles associated with swallowing.
This can cause extreme thirst in both humans and animals.
Symptoms for animals will usually develop within 20 to 60 days after contracting the disease.
Death generally occurs a few days after symptoms appear, usually from respiratory failure.
Humans can carry the virus for around 25 to 50 days before symptoms show.
People will typically suffer from headaches, extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, and fevers.
Once symptoms begin showing, it only takes a week or so before serious nervous system damage sets in.
Once in that stage, it is likely a person with rabies will die.
They generally die either from respiratory failure or cardiac arrest.
If properly treated, rabies is rarely fatal.
Treatment needs to begin before the symptoms set in.
Although there is no reason to spread fear and panic by thinking all wild animals carry rabies, due caution needs to be used.
Personally, I do not feed the squirrels because I do not want to make them dependent on people food and I do not want to get bit.
I am not very worried about contracting rabies from them.
However, because of the deadly nature of rabies, you should seek immediate medical attention if bit.
Wash the wound with water and soap and head straight for your doctor or local emergency room.
For wild animals, if possible have animal control capture the animal so that they can be tested for rabies.
For domestic animals, still have animal control get involved and confirm the animal's health.
Typically, domestic animals account for about ten percent of rabies cases.
Those animals are usually dogs, cats, and cows.
Rabies is a very serious disease and you should vaccinate your pets against it and protect yourself by using caution when around wild or unfamiliar animals.
However, there is no need for all out panic and concern.
Enjoy life and enjoy our furry friends too.
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