RABIES

First, it should be pointed out that rabies is a relatively rare dog disease. Very few veterinarians or dog breeders have ever seen a case of rabies. Yet no other disease of man or animal has been surrounded with as much superstition, fear or fiction as rabies. It is one of the oldest diseases, dating back to several centuries before Christ. Rabies is basically a disease of canines; i.e., the domestic dog, coyote, wolf, dingo, and pariah dog. But it is transmissible to other animals, including man, squirrel, fox, skunk, rabbit, mink, horse, cow; even the bat. Some birds are susceptible to the disease. However, the chief victims are members of the dog family. And since the dog lives close to man, the disease assumes a position of great importance.

Rabies is caused by a virus that affects the central nervous system. The virus is found in the saliva of infected animals. The method of transmission is through the bite of a rabid animal. When a person or animal is bitten by a rabid animal, the saliva containing the rabies virus is passed into the bite wounds. The incubation period for rabies ranges from two weeks to several months, with the average time at thirty to sixty days. The important fact to remember is that a person or animal must be bitten by a rabid animal before there is any danger of contracting the disease.

Not every person bitten by a rabid animal necessarily contracts rabies. According to the United States Bureau of Animal Industry, Pathological Division, approximately 15 per cent of all human beings and 35 per cent of all animals bitten by rabid animals contract rabies. Several factors determine whether a bite victim will become infected. Since the rabies virus attacks the central nervous system, it follows that the closer the bite to that system, the greater the danger. Bites on the hands, face or neck are the most dangerous from this standpoint. The depth of the bite is also an important factor; the deeper the bite, the greater the chances of contracting rabies when bitten by a rabid animal. Finally, the amount of bleeding from the bite wounds must also be considered. If the bite wounds bleed profusely, the rabies virus may be washed out. But this chance should not be taken and all wounds should receive prompt medical attention.

Generally, the symptoms of rabies are complex and only a close observation of a suspected animal can determine if the animal is rabid. The only positive test is a microscopic examination of the dog's brain. When the rabies virus attacks the brain it causes the formation of what are known as "Negri" bodies. These are visible under a microscope and are positive signs of rabies.

One of the first rabies symptoms to appear is a very noticeable change in the dog's behavior. A friendly dog may become irritable, snappy, or ferocious. Or the opposite may occur: a snappy, surly dog may become docile and dull. However, most rabid dogs are very restless and easily excited. The only positive case of rabies observed by the writer was a dog that would fly into fierce rages when a stick was thrust at him through the cage door. The dog had been confined as a suspected case of rabies after having bitten three people and another dog. He became increasingly worse and died four days after being confined. A microscopic examination of his brain revealed the Negri bodies that are associated with rabies. This is the only case of proven rabies seen by the writer in more than twenty years of experience with dogs. The rarity of the disease, however, does not lessen its danger.

There are two forms of rabies: 1) a highly excitable, raging type, in which the dog runs amok, snapping and biting any person or animal in its path, and 2) a dumb type, in which the dog appears to be stunned or in a state of shock. In the dumb form of rabies the dog shows no inclination to roam or bite. A classical symptom of the dumb form of rabies is what may be called "fallen jaw." The dog's mouth hangs open several inches. Now, any dog that has something stuck in his mouth or throat will usually open his mouth. But if an obstruction is the main trouble, the dog will paw and scratch at his mouth. In the case of "fallen jaw" associated with rabies, the dog makes no attempt to dislodge anything or paw at his mouth. He just sits staring, with his mouth hanging open.

Other symptoms of rabies are convulsions, foaming at the mouth, a change in the voice pitch and paralysis of the throat

muscles. The rabid animal becomes very thirsty, but because of the throat paralysis, cannot drink water or other liquids. This inability to drink has given rise to the erroneous name of hydrophobia—a fear of water. It is not a fear of water, it is an inability to drink water.

There is no known cure for rabies, either in human beings or animals. If you suspect rabies, do not touch the dog. While there is no need to get panicked just because your dog has a fit or foams at the mouth, it is wise to proceed with caution. Call your veterinarian, police, board of health or local humane society.

If you are bitten by a strange dog, here is the procedure to follow: get the name and address of the dog's owner or a description of the dog. Next, thoroughly wash the wounds with soap and warm water, making sure that you work the soap down into the bites. Tincture of green soap is best. Work up a good lather and keep it in the wounds for at least 20 or 30 minutes. This is no guarantee that you won't contract rabies if the dog was rabid, but it may help. Have the wounds treated by a doctor. Under the law, he must report treating dog bites. When a dog bite is reported to the authorities, the usual procedure is to confine and isolate the offending dog. The dog is observed for a period ranging from 10 to 14 days. Rabies works quickly on the dog; if he is still alive and his general behavior and symptoms improve after the observation period, he didn't have rabies. If the dog dies during the confinement period, his head is sent to a diagnostic laboratory where the brain is examined for Negri bodies.

It's to your advantage to have the offending dog confined, otherwise you will be subjected to a series of anti-rabies injections. If you were bitten by a stray dog, try to give as complete a description as possible. Circulate the description around—to the newspaper, radio station and any other public communication source. Ask friends and neighbors to be on the lookout for the stray dog.

If your dog bites someone, see that the victim receives prompt medical treatment. Next, report the bite to the police or board of health and surrender your dog for observation. Don't argue about it. Someone's life may be at stake. Give complete information as to rabies vaccination.

Immunization

Your dog can be immunized against rabies. Usually the rabies vaccination is given when the dog is six months old, since the disease affects mostly older dogs. Currently, two types of rabies vaccinations are given: one type of vaccine confers immunity for one year, the other type confers immunity for three years. Consult your veterinarian as to a rabies vaccination for your dog. If your dog receives the vaccine good for one year, see to it that he gets a yearly shot.

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