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Rabies Symptoms From a Dog Bite

Rabies in humans is extremely rare. Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the central nervous system. The few documented human rabies cases in the United States have been caused by bats or corneal or organ donation from an infected donor. Dogs are a significant source of rabies in other countries.

  1. Who

    • Birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians cannot get rabies. Skunks, raccoons, rabbits, bats, foxes and coyotes all get rabies. Cats, dogs and cattle get rabies. Rabies vaccinations, improved medication for those effected and animal control reduced the number of human cases of rabies.

    Symptoms

    • A conclusive list of rabies symptoms includes aggression, excessive drooling, fearfulness, staggering, difficulty swallowing and seizures. Pets, cattle or horses may show depression, sensitivity to light and self-mutilation. A pet exposed to rabies may show any combination of the symptoms in any order. Once the outward signs of the disease appear, it will be fatal.

    How

    • The rabies virus is secreted in saliva and can be the result of a bite, such as a dog bite, or from the saliva of a rabid animal entering an open cut or the eyes, nose, ears or mouth of a person or an animal.

    Report

    • Report sick animals acting in an unusual manner. If a fox walks directly up to your patio door with a dry hideous red brown, white, gray and black face, his eyes covered with cataracts, it is abnormal. He will attack your pet cat or dog for food.

      A small terrified baby rabbit running around fast; not moving the way rabbits usually move; who wants to come to you or your pets, is probably rabid.

      Remain calm. Call the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Animal Control and the Health Department. These agencies will call you. The Health Department will follow up and possibly visit your home.

    Prevention

    • Make sure all your pets have current rabies vaccinations. Do not feed your pets outside. Teach your children to stay away from wild animals. A baby bunny may have rabies. A rabid animal will appear tame.

      If you get an opportunity, shoot the rabid animal. The Department of Agriculture analyzes its head for distemper and rabies. Notify all neighbors and pedestrians, a "Confirmed rabies in the area" warning sign will be appreciated.

    Pets Get Bitten

    • Call the veterinarian immediately if your pet gets bit by a rabid animal. Report the bite to animal control and the health department. If the pet's vaccination is current, the pet is re-vaccinated and quarantined for 45 days. If the pet does not have a current vaccination, it is etherized because county and state law require rabies vaccinations for all dogs, cats and ferrets over 4 months old.

    You Get Bitten

    • Don't panic. Wash the wound with lots of soap and water. Call the doctor immediately. The doctor will give you the medication recommended by the United States Public Health Service and treat you for other infections that could result from the bite.

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