Rabies

Rabies

Dumb Rabies

• Change in temperament

• Progressive paralysis

  • Limbs

  • Face

  • Difficulty Swallowing

• Coma

• Death

Furious Rabies

• Change in temperament

  • Aggression

  • Highly excitable

  • Chewing on everything

    • Stones

    • Earth

    • Own self

      • Self-mutilation symptom

  • Paralysis

    • Unable to eat/drink

  • Death

Working With Suspected Rabid Animals

• Wear PPE

  • Gloves

  • Eye protection

  • Gown

• Be extra cautious

A vaccinated dog bit someone and the bite was reported… Now what?

• Dog has a physical exam

  • Day 0

• Dog is placed on house arrest at owners home

  • On leash for potty breaks only

• Dog has a physical exam

  • Day 10

• If dog is asymptomatic dog resumes normal life

• If dog is symptomatic, euthanisia (very rare)

An unvaccinated dog bit someone and the bite was reported… Now what?

• Track 1

  • Dog has a physical exam

    • Day 0

  • Dog is impounded at the vet clinic for 10 days

  • Dog has a physical exam

    • Day 10

  • If dog is asymptomatic, dog receives Rabies Vaccine and is sent home

  • If dog develops symptoms, dog is euthanized (Track 2)

• Track 2

  • Dog is euthanized

  • Dog is decapitated

  • Head is sent to the state lab

  • Tissue samples are removed from 2 locations

    • Brainstem and Cerebellum

  • Several tests performed to diagnose

    • Histology/histopathology

    • Direct fluorescent antibody test

    • Immunohistochemistry