Rabies

I didn't realize the threat of rabies was country-kid common knowledge until today. While we were on vacation, one of the girls at the barn caught a rabid raccoon in our old cat cage and kept it in the stable, thinking someone could help it.

 She didn't know rabies is fatal and easily transmitted, and didn't know what rabies looked like. I don't think it was full-on rabid yet, just sickly looking, but that's still enough of a threat.

So in case any of my readers don't know either, here's some info on rabies:

• Rabies is a virus that effects the central nervous system and causes brain swelling and death if not treated immediately. 
• Only mammals can get the rabies virus; fish and insects cannot.
• It is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals. Usually the exposure happens when a person or animal is bitten by a rabid animal.  The disease can be also passed on if the saliva of a rabid animal gets into the eyes, mouth, nose, or open wound of an animal or person.

How to identify infected animals:

• Normally nocturnal animals out in the daylight. (This is not a definite symptom but should be taken cautiously.)
• An animal that staggers around as if drunk. (The virus causes paralysis in the joints.)
• An overly agressive pet or wild animal. (Friendly wild animals don't usually have rabies but there have been reports of overly friendly rabid wild animals.)
• Foaming or excessive drooling.
• Hydrophobia (fear of water) or lack of appetite. 

If you see an animal you think is infected, stay far away from it and keep your pets away. Call your local law enforcement and explain to them what you saw and where, and stress the importance of the virus. On the farm, we have people who will shoot the animal. This is the safest and most humane way to dispose of the threat. You can still get rabies from a recently dead infected animal.

If you think you've come in contact with the rabies virus through a bite or scratch, wash the area thoroughly with soap and running water, then call your physician as soon as possible. Notify your local public health unit or the state health department as well as local law enforcement. 


I hope this helped readers!