Risk of Rabies Infection

Preventing Rabies in Pets:
Vaccines Are Key

Rabies virus is fatal to any animal or human once the symptoms of the disease develop. Exposure may occur through scratches, bites, open cuts/sores, or even through the mucous membranes (eyes/mouth) that come in contact with the saliva from an infected animal.

For an animal that has no proof of a current rabies vaccine with a wound of unknown origin (which could be from a potentially rabid animal), either:

Euthanize the animal immediately and have it tested for rabies, OR
Quarantine the animal indoors for 6 months AND immediately booster the rabies vaccine.

In MOST cases of exposure of animals to rabies from a bite, the animal will develop the disease in 3 weeks; however, the process could potentially take up to 6 months. If the animal shows any signs of illness during this time, call the veterinarian ASAP.

Signs of infections include any of the following:

• Sensitivity or poor healing of the bite wound
• Anorexia or reluctance to eat
• Ataxia (poor coordination) or wobbliness
• Fearfulness
• Aggression or behavior change
• Acting drunk or in a stupor
• Seizures
• Difficulty swallowing, which may cause excessive drooling or the classic “foaming of the mouth” appearance
• Death

If the animal dies, DO NOT freeze the body. Take it immediately to a state laboratory for testing. Call us or the Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory for instructions.

If, while under quarantine, the animal bites or scratches a person, contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health to assess the risk of exposure and possibly start prophylactic rabies treatment. You must continue to quarantine the animal for 14 days and closely monitor it for signs of illness. Have the animal examined by a veterinarian at the end of the 14-day quarantine or sooner if any signs develop. (If this animal were in the end stage of rabies infection and able to transmit the disease in its saliva, then it would show symptoms within 14 days.)

*Quarantine means to keep the animal CONFINED indoors or in a secure cage or enclosure where the animal has MINIMAL EXPOSURE to other PETS AND HUMANS. Update all other animals in the household on their rabies vaccines. Ideally, only one person should handle and medicate the animal so that fewer people will need to be treated in case the animal develops rabies while in quarantine. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture can assist you with this process.

Prompt prophylactic treatment can prevent the disease in humans who have been exposed. If you suspect exposure, contact your healthcare provider or Marshall Deasey at the Department of Health immediately.