You know rabies is dangerous. You know it’s illegal to own certain animals, like cats and dogs, without keeping them up to date on at least their rabies vaccine. But what exactly are the risks?
Vaccine requirements have done their job of nearly eliminating the risk of rabies, but this also hides the horrors of the virus from the general public. If you’ve ever wondered what exactly rabies does when it takes root, and how dangerous it is, this article is for you.
What is the Rabies Virus?
If we go back to the basics, we remember that viruses are miniscule organisms that need a host to replicate. Despite their simple structure, viruses can do a lot of damage, and many (like rabies) cannot be combatted head on.
Rabies virus (RABV) travels through direct contact with the saliva and/or brain or nervous system tissue of an infected animal. In most cases, this means an infected animal bit an unaffected animal and broke skin, introducing the microorganism to a new host.
After this first contact, the viruses follow the nerves until they reach the Central Nervous System (CNS) and can really wreak havoc.
RABV occurrence in domestic animals is rare, and even more rare in humans, but it’s almost always fatal without proper intervention. In fact, while treatment for humans exists, there is no equivalent for saving your beloved companions.
The good news is keeping up with your pet’s vaccine schedule and supervising their time outside goes a long way for preventing the horrors of a rabies infection.
Rabies Virus Stages
Rabies is usually transmitted through contact with a wild rabies-vector animal, such as a:
- Raccoon
- Bat
- Skunk
- Fox
RABV takes its sweet time in getting to the CNS (the brain and spinal cord). While symptoms usually appear 3 to 7 weeks after exposure, it can sometimes take as long as 6 months before animals show signs of infection.
Incubation
This period can last anywhere from a week to several months, depending on how quickly the virus travels through the body. Getting treatment during the incubation period is necessary to prevent the virus from taking hold. This is why even vaccinated animals receive a booster if they come in contact with infected animals.
Prodromal Stage
The prodromal stage refers to the period before infection becomes obvious. At this stage, the RABV has made its way to the CNS and is managing to do some damage. The immune system finally catches on, and hosts may start to exhibit flu-like symptoms.
Unfortunately, there are no known effective treatments for rabies once it reaches the prodromal stage.
The most common early symptoms include isolationary behaviors, fear, and nervousness. The stereotypical aggressive response has not taken hold yet, but the paranoia is there.
The prodromal stage lasts about 2 to 10 days.
Acute Neurological Phase
Also known as the Aggressiveness stage, this is when the textbook image of RABV manifests. The viruses have done great damage to the CNS, and the body no longer functions properly.
Hosts have one of two responses.
Those with furious rabies exhibit aggression, seizures, and delirium. This response runs through the body much faster, usually in a few days to a week if left alone. Because the host is more capable and likely to attack others, this response is more dangerous.
Paralytic rabies is less abrasive to the community around the infected. It starts with weakness and/or paralysis at the initial point of contact on the body, gradually branching out to disable every other limb. Paralytic rabies can last up to a month.
While the paralytic response slowly immobilizes the infected and doesn’t lean toward the aggressive response, it shouldn’t be treated as any less dangerous or communicable.
Coma (Paralysis) and Death
Both roads lead to paralysis eventually, with some of the infected dissolving into seizures and convulsions and others quietly losing control of their bodies. Some hosts will slip into a coma before moving to the next stage, but every rabies journey ends in death.
It usually takes 2 to 21 days to travel through all five stages, but cases vary greatly.
Can You Test for Rabies?
Rabies tests are not as straightforward as checking for other virus types. Because the rhabdoviruses jet straight for the nervous system, they do not reliably show up in blood tests.
In fact, the only way to reliably test rabies is to remove a piece of the brain and check for evidence. As you might guess, the only way to do this is by removing the head of the animal, effectively taking them straight to the final stage before a diagnosis can even be made.
This is why animals suspected of infection are usually put down. An alternative response involved isolating the animal for 4 to 6 months to ensure they never show symptoms. Because the strict quarantine can be costly and incredibly detrimental to their mental health and exacerbates issues like separation anxiety, it’s not necessarily the best option.
Preventing Rabies Fatalities
Keeping your pets up to date with their rabies vaccine is the single best way to prevent rabies fatalities. This may be the only thing that saves your pet from certain euthanasia if bitten by a rabid animal, as the CDC accepts boosting and quarantining as a treatment for up-to-date vaccinated animals.
While efficacy is not at 100 percent, we know it’s pretty high. Vaccines in the United States must show they protect at least 88 percent of vaccinated animals from their target virus.
Supervision is another key component of keeping your pets safe. Don’t let them wander around unattended outside; while they can get bitten by an infected animal, they can also eat the dead remains of the infected or their leftovers.
Because dog parks are another area where diseases run rampant, we recommend avoiding them as much as possible. Similarly, you should do plenty of research before choosing a boarding center or daycare to ensure they limit your pets’ exposure to rabies and other illnesses.
If you ever suspect contamination, notify your veterinarian immediately. Depending on your local laws, they may be able to get them in for a booster and set up a quarantine plan.
In the end, it’s better to be over prepared than it is to find out you could have (and should have) done more.
