We’ve all seen movies like To Kill A Mockingbird and Cujo, where rabid dogs menace townspeople and the only solution is destroying the diseased animal. While those stories are fictional and exaggerated, rabies is a very real and serious disease with deadly effects. According to the American Association of Feline Practitioners, the primary sources of rabies infections in animals in the United States include: raccoons, bats, skunks, and foxes. For pet parents, the most effective and reliable solution is vaccinating pets against rabies. Vaccination is the best—and only—option to prevent our furry companions from contracting this deadly disease. Continue reading to find out everything you need to know about rabies and your pets.
How Is Rabies Transmitted to Pets?
The disease is most commonly passed to household pets through bites from infected animals. Animals that are infected with the rabies virus secrete large amounts of the organism in their saliva, and all it takes is a bite to transfer the virus, or infected saliva coming in contact with an open wound or scratch that breaks the skin.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Rabies?
Rabies is a virus that affects all warm-blooded animals. If contracted by humans and not treated immediately, it is universally fatal as there is no known cure. The rabies virus travels through the nerves, up the spinal cord, and into the brain. Rabies affects the central nervous system. Once in the brain, it multiplies rapidly and spreads to other organs, including the salivary glands. The incubation period varies for dogs and cats. For dogs, incubation ranges from 3 to 8 weeks, and for cats, it is 2 to 6 weeks. Once rabies reaches the brain, your unvaccinated pet may progress through three symptomatic phases:
1. Prodromal Rabies
This phase lasts 2–3 days in dogs and 1–2 days in cats. Signs of the prodromal phase include anxiety, nervousness, fever, and a need for solitude. Pets may lick the bite site excessively, and you’ll notice some personality changes, such as friendly animals may become irritable, in contrast, aggressive animals may appear docile. Keep in mind, cats typically show fewer erratic behaviors than dogs.
2. Furious Rabies
The furious phase lasts 1–7 days and is more common in cats. In this phase, signs include restlessness, irritability, and hypersensitivity to sights and sounds. Pets may roam, become aggressive, or even attack enclosures. As time progresses, your pet can display signs of disorientation, have seizures, or even pass away.
3. Paralytic Rabies
The paralytic phase can follow either of the previous stages and develops within 2–4 days after the initial symptoms are recognized. Signs of this phase include labored breathing, drooping jaw, excessive salivation, and difficulty swallowing. Pets may also make choking sounds, which can eventually lead to respiratory failure and death.
How Is Rabies Diagnosed?
Currently, the only definitive diagnosis for rabies in symptomatic pets is to euthanize the animal and submit the brain for laboratory analysis. Testing is typically performed at a state health department. For example, in Texas, the Department of State Health Services in Austin is the primary rabies diagnostic facility. Researchers are studying diagnostic techniques using skin and blood samples, but these are not yet available to the general veterinary community.
How Can I Prevent Rabies in My Pets?
The rabies vaccine is the only proven way to prevent infection. This is why vaccinating your pets is so important. Properly vaccinated animals have only a minimal chance of contracting the disease. The vaccination protocols vary for animals and their age. Kittens are initially immunized at 8 weeks of age, whereas puppies have their initial vaccination at 12-16 weeks of age. Both dogs and cats get their booster at 1 year of age. Be sure to check vaccination protocols with your vet, as some states allow a 3-year rabies vaccine after the initial series, depending on local laws and veterinarian recommendations.
In Texas, the 3-year vaccine is included in the rabies protocol. While rabies vaccination is mandatory in all U.S. states for dogs, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) estimates that up to half of all dogs remain unvaccinated. For cats, vaccine requirements vary by state, even though cats are more frequently diagnosed with rabies than dogs.
Tips for Preventing Rabies in Pets
The most essential tip to prevent rabies is to keep vaccinations current for all your pets.
Make sure you avoid your pet’s exposure to wildlife and don’t allow them to roam or interact with wild, stray, or unfamiliar animals. If your pet does get bitten, be sure to act quickly after a bite. If a wild animal bites your pet, contact your veterinarian and local animal control immediately.
Vaccinated pets are typically treated and monitored at the comfort of home, whereas unvaccinated pets may be quarantined for 10 days to monitor for symptoms, depending on your state laws.
Rabies: Myths vs. Facts
Rabies has been surrounded by myths for centuries. Here are some common misconceptions and the truths behind them:
- Myth: Rabies is always obvious because infected animals foam at the mouth.
- Fact: While excessive salivation is a symptom, many rabid animals never display this sign. Behavior changes, such as unusual aggression or friendliness, are often more noticeable.
- Myth: Indoor-only pets don’t need the rabies vaccine.
- Fact: Even indoor pets can be at risk. Bats, one of the top carriers of rabies, often enter homes undetected. Vaccination is still considered essential.
- Myth: Rabies is gone in the United States.
- Fact: Rabies is still present in wildlife across the U.S., and pets remain at risk if not vaccinated.
- Myth: You can wait to vaccinate your pet until they’re older.
- Fact: Rabies is fatal. Puppies and kittens should be vaccinated according to veterinary and state guidelines to ensure early protection.
Prevention is Essential
Everything you need to know about rabies and your pets is to keep them vaccinated. Rabies is rare but deadly, and fortunately, it is highly preventable. By vaccinating your pets, monitoring their exposure to wildlife, and acting quickly if they are bitten, you can protect them and your family from this devastating disease.
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