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November 2011
Cats, dogs and other pets - a link with rabies
Why think about cats, as well as other pets, such as dogs and ferrets, when it is wildlife rabies MNR battles in Ontario?
While fox, raccoon and bat are the three primary carriers of rabies in Ontario; pets provide a link for the transmission of rabies from these wildlife animals to people.
Protect your pets
When arctic fox rabies was common across southern Ontario, dogs and cats made up only 8% of the rabid animals, but they were the contacts for 55% of people who received treatment because they had been exposed to a rabid animal.
Any pet dog or cat must be vaccinated against rabies. That is the law. Consult your veterinarian about how often boosters are required. If a dog or cat is involved in a rabies incident, and is not vaccinated, the owner may be fined up to $90.00/day until the animal is vaccinated.
More cats than dogs have been infected by rabies since 1980. Cats in the raccoon rabies high risk area present a potential risk to public health because of their close association with both raccoons and people. Many people keep their cats indoors during the day, but let them outside at night. This is when they are most likely to come into contact with raccoons, which also prowl at night. Both often frequent the same areas. Rabies experts encourage people to keep their cats confined or on a leash, especially during the evening. In many municipalities, this is already mandatory. Even if your cat is never let out, it still needs to be vaccinated. Bats, a potential rabies carrier, live in many houses, even in downtown urban areas, so even house cats are potentially exposed to rabies.
Most pet cats in Ontario are vaccinated. However, there is also a problem with feral cats (unowned cats). Barn cats are usually very hard to catch, and therefore are not vaccinated. Feral cats present a special problem because they don’t have owners who can have them vaccinated. The exact number of feral cats is unknown, but there are many that live throughout the province in rural areas, on farms and in cities. To make sure your pet cat is not mistaken for a feral cat, get it a collar so it can be identified as having had a vaccination. A collar, or other means of identification should also have your telephone number on it.
Protect yourself
The best way to protect yourself, your family, and your pets from all strains of rabies is to have your pets vaccinated. Note that one vaccine protects against all forms of rabies found in North America. Also, keep your pets under control away from stray or wild animals, and contact your doctor if you think you, or a family member, may have been in contact with a rabid animal.
Humans and other mammals can become infected with rabies by saliva from a rabid animal coming into contact with a scratch, or in contact with the moist tissues of the mouth, nose or eyes. Any direct contact with a wild animal needs to be taken seriously, even if an animal appears to be healthy. Rabies can incubate in an animal for some time before symptoms appear.
If you think you, or a member of your family, has been in contact with a rabid animal, wash the affected skin thoroughly with an anti-bacterial soap and hot water and contact your doctor or local health department immediately. Anyone who is exposed to rabies should seek immediate medical attention. Once symptoms of rabies appear, it is nearly always fatal.1 The treatment, which is safe and effective, is usually a series of five injections given over a one-month period.
Detecting rabies in animals
Rabid animals may become depressed and retire to dark, quiet retreats. Wild animals, especially skunks, lose their fear of humans. The animals may show signs of paralysis such as abnormal facial expressions, drooping head, sagging jaw, paralyzed hind limbs or excessive drooling.
Some animals may show extreme excitement and aggression. They can attack suddenly, ferociously, and unpredictably. They may gnaw and bite their own limbs, and may attack stationary objects or other animals. Bouts of aggressive, rabies-induced behaviour often alternate with periods of exhaustion and depression.
If you see any animal that is acting strangely, you should report it to your municipal animal control agency, humane society or the police.
Contact:
Natalie Gorman
Ministry of Natural Resources
(705) 755-1551
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