Rabies

My friends Jerry and Alison had an unfortunate incident with their cat, Beverly, which led them to an animal emergency hospital last Friday night. As you can see in the picture above, poor Bev is now a cone head. While waiting at the veterinarian’s office, Alison and Jerry read through brochures on rabies in the area, and the vet who saw Bev encouraged them to get a rabies shot for her and their other cat, Martin, even though they are indoor cats. According to the Centers for Disease Control, cats are far more likely to have rabies than are dogs, and most people are exposed to the disease through domestic animals rather than wild ones.

But cats get rabies through wild mammals, and rabid skunks, raccoons, and even foxes are increasing in the area where I live. I recently saw a sign warning that a rabid skunk had been found in the natural area where I was walking. If you’ve been following my blog, you know I’m a worrier, so I immediately wondered what I would do if I saw an aggressive animal and, nightmare of nightmares, it chased me, frothy mouth and all. Could I deter it by yelling and waving my arms, or should I run pell-mell the opposite direction? But, I’m not going to outrun a fox unless it’s in the final stages of rabies. So, I came home and did some research. All of the credible sources said to stay away from wild animals. Obviously, right?

But, not all rabid animals act violent. Although there is a “furious” stage, in which they are agitated and snap and drool, most are in a “dumb” state, in which they appear tame and approachable, demonstrating little fear of human beings. With my misconceptions about rabies, I know I would be tempted to help an animal that crept up, little knowing it might have the illness.

The Humane Society of the United States has, in my opinion, the most useful and concise information about rabies and what to do if you suspect an animal is rabid or if you or your pet has been exposed to the disease. If you or your pet are bitten, scrub the wound with soap and water, get to the doctor or veterinarian as soon as possible, and report information about the animal that bit you. In the end, only three human fatalities a year can be attributed to rabies.