Rabies - The Deadly Condition
Rabies is a deadly condition, and any incidence in which contraction of the disease is a possibility should be monitored closely.
Fortunately, there are several key indicators to watch for if a pet is exhibiting strange behavior and may have contracted rabies.
If any individual is bitten or scratched by an animal thought to have rabies, medical attention should be sought immediately.
While rabies is most commonly associated with wild animals, it is not uncommon for a household pet to come into contact with these animals (particularly skunks and raccoons) and contract the disease.
Rabies is transmitted through saliva and is commonly transferred from one animal to another through a bite or scratch.
Because symptoms of the disease do not appear until 20 days after infection (and may take up to 60 days), any animal showing signs of infection should be immediately isolated and taken to receive medical attention.
Sadly, often times once symptoms are apparent the disease has progressed into a fatal stage.
Rabies is often associated with aggressive, fighting behavior typically associated with rabid dogs.
Animals behaving lethargically and unable to speak may also have contracted the disease; rabies affects the muscles associated with swallowing and breathing as well as the central nervous system and thus may result in an animal lying completely prone for days.
Often pet owners mistake this condition for laziness, a mistake that may result in the animal dying of respiratory failure before the condition is properly treated.
Some of the more prominent symptoms displayed by rabid animals include a wild animal showing no fear of humans, excessive drooling or "foaming" around the mouth (due to an inability to swallow), a nocturnal animal active during the day, consumption of non-food items such as dirt, and paralysis of one or more limbs.
Humans typically take 2 to 3 months to show signs of infection, though the incubation period of the disease has been reported to take over a year in some cases.
Early stage symptoms of the disease are often general such as fever, sore throat, abdominal pain, and agitated anxiety.
If the disease was transmitted through a bite by a rabid animal the location of the bite may become infected, itchy, and slightly numb.
This is a clear indication that rabies has been contracted and the wound should be inspected by a medical professional even if no other symptoms are apparent.
Later stages of the disease may bring hallucinations, delirium, and an almost bipolar-like mania to those infected.
Infected individuals may also exhibit uncontrollable muscle spasms, fear of air or water, paralysis, coma, as well as fluctuations of blood pressure, body temperature, and pulse.
The disease, if undiagnosed, is fatal and often results in heart or respiratory failure.
Though a dangerous disease, treatment of rabies usually includes a vaccine regimen on the initial day of diagnosis, as well as follow-ups on days 3, 7, 14, and 28 after the disease has been identified.
Early detection of the disease is crucial, as later stages of the disease often leave immune systems unable to combat the then widespread bodily damage caused by rabies.
Fortunately, there are several key indicators to watch for if a pet is exhibiting strange behavior and may have contracted rabies.
If any individual is bitten or scratched by an animal thought to have rabies, medical attention should be sought immediately.
While rabies is most commonly associated with wild animals, it is not uncommon for a household pet to come into contact with these animals (particularly skunks and raccoons) and contract the disease.
Rabies is transmitted through saliva and is commonly transferred from one animal to another through a bite or scratch.
Because symptoms of the disease do not appear until 20 days after infection (and may take up to 60 days), any animal showing signs of infection should be immediately isolated and taken to receive medical attention.
Sadly, often times once symptoms are apparent the disease has progressed into a fatal stage.
Rabies is often associated with aggressive, fighting behavior typically associated with rabid dogs.
Animals behaving lethargically and unable to speak may also have contracted the disease; rabies affects the muscles associated with swallowing and breathing as well as the central nervous system and thus may result in an animal lying completely prone for days.
Often pet owners mistake this condition for laziness, a mistake that may result in the animal dying of respiratory failure before the condition is properly treated.
Some of the more prominent symptoms displayed by rabid animals include a wild animal showing no fear of humans, excessive drooling or "foaming" around the mouth (due to an inability to swallow), a nocturnal animal active during the day, consumption of non-food items such as dirt, and paralysis of one or more limbs.
Humans typically take 2 to 3 months to show signs of infection, though the incubation period of the disease has been reported to take over a year in some cases.
Early stage symptoms of the disease are often general such as fever, sore throat, abdominal pain, and agitated anxiety.
If the disease was transmitted through a bite by a rabid animal the location of the bite may become infected, itchy, and slightly numb.
This is a clear indication that rabies has been contracted and the wound should be inspected by a medical professional even if no other symptoms are apparent.
Later stages of the disease may bring hallucinations, delirium, and an almost bipolar-like mania to those infected.
Infected individuals may also exhibit uncontrollable muscle spasms, fear of air or water, paralysis, coma, as well as fluctuations of blood pressure, body temperature, and pulse.
The disease, if undiagnosed, is fatal and often results in heart or respiratory failure.
Though a dangerous disease, treatment of rabies usually includes a vaccine regimen on the initial day of diagnosis, as well as follow-ups on days 3, 7, 14, and 28 after the disease has been identified.
Early detection of the disease is crucial, as later stages of the disease often leave immune systems unable to combat the then widespread bodily damage caused by rabies.