Rabies is Always Fatal!

Rabies is caused by a virus that effects the brain and nervous system of both animals and people. People are not a normal carrier of rabies, but get it by coming in direct contact with rabid animals. In the United States, the most common carriers are bats, raccoons, fox, and skunks. Around the world in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, dog strains of rabies are still a major problem.

How common is it?

  • Around the world 55,000 people die annually from rabies.
  • In the United States in 2008, 471 domestic animals (dogs, cats, horses, cattle) and 6,369 wild animals tested positive for rabies. (Rabies surveillance in the United States during 2008  Jesse D. Blanton, mph; Kis Robertson, dvm, mph; Dustyn Palmer, ba; Charles E. Rupprecht, vmd, phd).
  • In Illinois during 2009 83 bats were confirmed positive
  • In Mchenry County, 17 bats tested positive in 2009. 8 McHenry County residents received rabies prophylaxis due to bat exposure (The Communique MCDH, September 2010).

How can I protect my pet?

  • Have your pet vaccinated! Rabies in domestic animals has drastically declined in the United States as a result of vaccination.   It is the #1 thing you can do to protect you and your pet.
  • Keep your pets away from wildlife. Keep your dog on a leash at all times and keep your cats indoors.
  • Call Animal Control if you see a wild animal acting strangely. Do NOT attempt to approach them!
  • If a wild animal bites your pet, call the Animal Hospital of McHenry immediately. Call Animal Control and notify them if the wild animal is dead or present and can be submitted for rabies testing.
  • Bats do not always leave bite marks. So if your pet comes in contact with a bat call us and Animal Control.

What if my cat stays indoors?

At the Animal Hospital of Mchenry we have had several clients who have found a bat in the house. In two of the instances, the cats were not vaccinated for rabies. The bats in both cases was submitted for rabies testing and the cats were quarantined until the results came back (negative). If the bats had tested positive, the state recommended euthanasia.

Don't put yourself in that that situation. Keep you and all your pets protected!

What if I find a wild animal acting strangely?

  • Do not attempt to touch them.
  • Call animal control immediately.
  • If the animal is dead, move with a shovel, tongs or gloves. Do NOT come in direct contact with them. Place in a box or bag and call animal control.
  • Do not attempt to nurse sick or injured wild animals. Contact Animal Control or a wildlife rescue group that is trained to deal with wild animals.

Kevin Payravi, Wikimedia Commons

For more information on Rabies and World Rabies Awareness Day Click below