Treatment for Rabies Symptoms

Rabies is caused by a virus that spreads through saliva, usually by a bite from an infected animal. Bats, raccoons, skunks, coyotes and foxes most commonly carry the disease. These animals can spread the virus to you or your pets. Rabies affects the central nervous system, and symptomatic rabies is fatal. Although there is no treatment once the symptoms appear, vaccines effectively prevent infection in people and pets.

What is Rabies

• Rabies is fatal infection of the central nervous system. It spreads through the saliva of infected animals, typically by a bite. After entering the body, the rabies virus enters an eclipse phase, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). During the eclipse phase, in which no signs or symptoms appear, the virus penetrates the peripheral nerves. The virus continues to replicate, enters the central nervous system and symptoms begin to appear. The incubation period, the period between the exposure and the time symptoms begin, can last from several days up to several years, although it usually lasts one to three months. A vaccine is effective if it is given while the virus is in the eclipse phase. Once the symptoms appear, treatment is ineffective. Rabies is fatal, with only six survivors ever reported (CDC) after symptoms appeared.

Rabies Symptoms

• Rabies has no outward signs or symptoms until the disease is in the later stages. The earliest signs are general and include fever, headache and malaise (CDC). As the disease progresses, neurological symptoms such as insomnia, confusion, anxiety and fear of water (hydrophobia) appear. Other symptoms include difficulty swallowing, excessive salivation and hallucinations (Mayo Clinic). Partial paralysis occurs in the final stage of the disease. Death occurs within days after the symptoms first appear (CDC).

Treatment for Rabies

• There is no treatment for rabies after the symptoms appear. The only treatment is a series of vaccines that must be administered as soon as possible after the exposure and before symptoms start. There have been reports of rabies virus occurring in anyone who has received the vaccine. The vaccine consists of two parts (Mayo Clinic). The first injection, administered as close as possible to the site of the bite, prevents the virus from infecting the body. The second part of the vaccine is a series of six injections given over a 28-day period. These injections are given in the arm. The vaccine stimulates the natural immune system of the body to recognize and fight the rabies virus. Because rabies is a fatal disease, the vaccine is administered unless the attacking animal is known to be uninfected. The rabies status of the attacking animal is determined either by a 10-day quarantine or, if it was a wild animal and was caught, by testing brain tissue. If there is any doubt about the rabies status of the animal, the vaccine is given.

Prevention

• You can minimize your risk of exposure to rabies by taking proper care of your pets and by avoiding encounters with wild animals, especially bats, skunks and raccoons (Mayo Clinic). Be sure to keep current with your pets' vaccinations. Keep your pets inside, and when they are outside, do not let them interact with wild animals. Report stray animals and never approach wild animals. Seal your home to prevent bats from entering.

Symptoms in Pets

• Rabies infection in pet dogs and cats has symptoms similar to those seen in people. Dogs will lose their appetite, foam at the mouth and exhibit behavioral changes. In later stages, dogs will suffer from muscle spasms, seizures, aggression and disorientation. The disease ends in paralysis and death. Cats will have an erratic fever and will act nervous and want to be alone. Cats suffering from later stages of rabies will salivate excessively, have difficulty breathing and become irritable, angry, restless and finally paralyzed before dying. There is no treatment for rabies in pets except for preventive vaccination.