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If your pet is not current on vaccinations, including rabies, contact your family veterinarian to set up an appointment.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If your pet was bitten by a wild or stray animal, contact your family veterinarian or the Minnesota Board of Animal Health (651.201.6808) regarding rabies testing. If your community has an animal control office, contact them for help in safely capturing the wild or stray animal for rabies testing.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Rabies is a viral infection caused by a lyssavirus that affects the mammalian nervous system. Infection is typically transmitted via saliva of an infected animal, such as a bite.<\/p>\n While any mammal, including humans, can become infected with rabies virus, there are certain mammals more commonly identified as succumbing to infection.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Common wildlife affected by rabies virus infection include:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Common domestic species affected by rabies infection include:\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Image Credit: Rabies Statistics – MN Dept. of Health (state.mn.us)<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n In areas of the world where there are large populations of unowned, unvaccinated, stray dogs and cats, higher rates of human death by rabies are reported in those countries. The most recent case of human death from rabies infection in Minnesota was 2021; in that case, an elderly man was bitten by a bat in his bed. However, his was an unusual circumstance of failed immune response to post-exposure rabies prophylaxis (PEP) caused by the man\u2019s co-morbidities (diabetes, circulatory compromise, and renal disease). The man succumbed to the infection six months post-bite and PEP injections.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There are annual rabies deaths of animals (domestic and wildlife) in Minnesota, with the raccoon being the most common carrier in the state. In March 2024, a cow was diagnosed with rabies, with presumed exposure to a skunk that had recently been killed on the farm property. Current information about rabies prevalence in the state of Minnesota can be accessed <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Once <\/span>a mammal is <\/span>bitten, the rabies virus migrates along nerves to the brain. The virus spreads rapidly within the brain, causing inflammation<\/span>.<\/span> S<\/span>ymptoms <\/span>then <\/span>progress in stages<\/span>:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Rabies diagnosis is made with special testing (direct fluorescent antibody test<\/span> or DFA<\/span>) that must <\/span>be <\/span>performed in<\/span> a state veterinary diagnostic laboratory using brain tissue from the suspect animal.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Rabies is<\/span> a<\/span> <\/span>zoonotic<\/span> disease<\/span><\/span><\/a>, meaning it can be transmitted from an animal to a human being. Because there is no effective, widespread treatment, and because infection results in death, most U.S. states have laws mandating vaccination. The vaccination (both for humans and animals) is highly effective. <\/span>In Minnesota, t<\/span>here are species-specific <\/span>rabies <\/span>vaccin<\/span>es<\/span> for <\/span>dogs, <\/span>cats<\/span>,<\/span> ferrets<\/span>,<\/span> cattle, sheep, horses, other domestic and wildlife animals, and human beings. <\/span>Rabies vaccination certificates for animals can only be signed and issued by a licensed veterinarian.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you suspect your pet may have been bitten<\/span> by<\/span> (or otherwise exposed directly to) a wild animal (especially bat, skunk, racoon, <\/span>fox<\/span> or bobcat), it is important to <\/span>promptly <\/span>seek veterinary attention<\/span>.<\/span> Not only does the bite wound typically require medical care and prescription medication, but a myriad of protocols governed by Minnesota law must be followed <\/span>regarding<\/span> vaccination booster<\/span> or <\/span>potential quarantine<\/span>. In specific circumstances, when wildlife or stray animals are involved, <\/span>submission of the animal\u2019s brain to the veterinary diagnostic laboratory <\/span>may be <\/span>required<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Here are a few common examples of what will happen next:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n In either situation, if a quarantined pet develops signs of rabies, the pet must be euthanized and submitted for rabies testing at the state veterinary diagnostic laboratory. The same process is followed if the pet dies or is otherwise euthanized during the quarantine period.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Note that stray pets with no owner identification have different guidelines \u2013 one more reason to be certain to always have control of your pet and microchip identification!\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The best way to protect your pets is to make sure they are vaccinated against rabies. If your pet is not <\/span>up to date<\/span> on vaccinations or <\/span>if you have any questions about the rabies vaccination<\/span>,<\/span> consult<\/span> with your family veterinarian. <\/span>To learn more about rabies, visit the Minnesota Boat of Animal Health\u2019s <\/span><\/span>website<\/span><\/span><\/a> or the Minnesota Department of Health\u2019s <\/span><\/span>website<\/span><\/span><\/a> for the most up-to-d<\/span>ate inform<\/span>ation and <\/span>additional<\/span> resources for both pet parents and health professionals.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n More Reading:\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Rabies | Minnesota Board of Animal Health (state.mn.us)<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
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<\/p>\nCommon Animals Affected<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
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![\"Rabies](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/3.png\")
What is the Likelihood of Being Exposed?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"An](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/4-1.png\")
<\/p>\nHow Rabies Affects<\/span> the Body<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Diagnosis<\/span> & Treatment<\/span><\/span> \u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"Dogs](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/5.png\")
<\/p>\nWha<\/span>t to Do If You Suspect Your Pet Was Exposed to an Animal with Rabies<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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![\"A](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/6.png\")
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