Rabies, a deadly disease, is caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. The virus is usually transmitted by a bite from an infected animal. Once the visible symptoms of the disease appear, rabies is nearly always fatal.
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What animals are affected by rabies?
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If you see a wild animal acting strangely, report it to the city or county animal control department. Mammals are the only animals that can contract rabies. Birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians are not affected. Wild mammals, such as skunks, raccoons, bats, and foxes are most often affected by rabies.
What do I do if my animal is bitten by a possibly rabid animal?
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First, be sure that your animal has a current rabies vaccination. If it does, it should be revaccinated immediately and observed for 45 days.
What if my animal does not have a current rabies vaccination?
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Your vet will probably advise you to euthanize your animal if it has been bitten and has not been vaccinated. With no immunities in its system, your animal unfortunately has little chance of survival.
Other options
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You may be given the option of placing your animal in strict isolation for 6 months to observe whether your animal succumbs to the disease.
Are there any medications that can be given to treat rabies?
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According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, there are no medications licensed to treat unvaccinated animals after exposure to rabies. The only protection is to keep your animal's rabies vaccination up to date.
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