Rabies is a fatal viral infection of the central nervous system which is transmitted through the saliva of an affected animal and poses a serious public health threat.

Risk Factors: Rabies affects ALL mammals, including humans, dogs, cats, raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes. Local animal control officials have reported that rabid wild animals have been recently found in the Troy and Sterling Heights areas.

For dogs and cats, Rabies is only spread when the dog or cat is showing signs of the disease. Other animals, such as skunks, raccoons, and bats, can spread Rabies without showing signs of the disease.

Most frequently, Rabies is spread through contaminated saliva entering a bite wound.

Rabies can be spread by contamination of saliva to an open wound, cracked skin, or mucous membrane tissue of the eyes, nose, and mouth.

The rabies infected animal can spread saliva by biting, sneezing, licking, or drooling.

Contaminated saliva can be spread directly from the animal or by handling saliva that has pooled on table surfaces, paper towel, etc.

Inability to swallow - food or water come back out of mouth (this is different than vomiting).

Listlessness

Seizures, twitching, paralysis, or any neurological sign

Aggressiveness

If a dog or cat starts to show signs of Rabies, it will die in 10 days. However, it can take up to 6 months from the original exposure (usually a bite wound) for signs of Rabies to be displayed B then 10 days after the signs start, the animal will die.

Ideally, MVH would wait 6 months. Instead, MVH waits 14 days to see if the animal has died or if it= s behavior has changed.

Limit handlers to one person, two people at most

No contact with any humans other than handler(s)

Rabies can be spread by contamination of saliva to an open wound or mucous membrane tissue of the eyes and gums.

Make sure all open wounds are covered.

Always wear gloves when handling or cleaning up after the animal.

It is advisable to also wear long sleeves to protect the skin, goggles to protect the eye, and a face mask to protect mucous membranes in the nose and mouth.

Wash hands well with antiseptic soap following any contact with the animal or the animal= s bedding, bandaging material, food, water, etc.

The Rabies virus is easily killed outside of the body.

Spray housing or treatment area with disinfectant before cleaning the area. Do not wipe up saliva before spraying it first with the disinfectant.

Use the following cleaning solutions for clean-up and disinfecting of the animals treatment and housing areas: alcohol, antiseptic soap, liquid dish soup, soft scrub.

Do not reuse any paper toweling or soiled cloths. Discard immediately after use and dispose of garbage bag immediately.

Treat urine and bowel movements as contaminants. Spray urine and bowel movements with disinfectant before disposal, clean surface areas with disinfectant, then dispose of garbage bag immediately.

Wash any open sores or puncture wounds with warm water using a cotton ball, Q-tip, or cloth to clean the wound. Dispose of all cleaning products immediately after treatment is complete.

Use Neosporin antibiotic ointment on open wounds. Once tube of Neosporin is used on quarantined animal it may never, ever be use for any other animal or human. Throw Neosporin away when treatment of this animal has ended.

Leave wound uncovered so that it can drain.