SYMPTOMS AND TRANSMISSION
If an animal becomes infected with the
virus, they may show no disease symptoms for several days, but during that time they can transmit the disease through saliva to other mammals. Although rare, a horse could be infected and yet be free of clinical signs, but still be able to transmit the virus through his saliva into a cut on your hand. T is disease is fatal in all animals unless treated. T ere is no treatment for horses, but there is for humans. If horses are vaccinated, the chance of them get ing the disease is very rare. A horse with rabies will die. The virus
infects the central nervous system, causing brain disease and ultimately death. Clinical signs are extremely varied, from colic to dif- fi culty swallowing, depression with loss of appetite, a low-grade fever, lameness and/or incoordination, other neurological symptoms including convulsions, increased sensitivity to being touched, abdominal pain (strain- ing to urinate or defecate), odd behavioral changes, nervousness, irritability, muscle contractions and fi nally death.
Equine Rabies: Know the Facts Vaccination provides a simple
solution to this deadly disease By Barbara Page, DVM
So what’s the deal with rabies? Is there a need for concern? Maybe not concern as much as proactive prevention. Here are eight reasons to pay at ention:
■ T e disease is fatal to mammals. In people, the disease is fatal unless treated.
■ If your horse gets rabies, and has NOT been vaccinated, it is fatal. ■ You must be treated if your horse gets rabies. ■ If a horse gets the disease from a skunk or bat, the horse can contaminate you while the horse is acting normal, before showing signs of the disease.
■ T e incidence of rabies has increased considerably in Colorado and else- where over the past two years.
■ Two cases were confi rmed in horses in 2009, 2010, none for 30 years prior. ■ T is disease is moving into the West. ■ Although previously it was the bat most likely positive for rabies, in 2009
and 2010, it is the skunk, meaning it is much more likely the horse can get the disease.
34 October 2010 •
WWW.TRAILBLAZERMAGAZINE.US
PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF POSSIBLE INFECTED ANIMALS
Controlling and preventing skunks from
coming into contact with your horses is one of the best ways to avoid contamination (see link below on skunk protocol). Beware of unusual behavior including: wild mammals that show no fear of people and pets; nocturnal animals that are active in daylight; and bats found on the ground, in swimming pools or that have been caught by a pet. Rabid carnivores, such as skunks, foxes, bobcats, coyotes, dogs and cats, may become aggressive and may at empt to bite people, pets and livestock. If you observe a wild mammal acting
strangely, especially a skunk, or if you fi nd a dead skunk that isn’t on your property, stay away from it. Strange behavior for a skunk would include being out and about during daytime hours, and possibly looking unkempt and uncoordinated. If you must remove a dead skunk on your property, wear rubber gloves or liſt the carcass with a shovel or other tool, and double-bag it for the trash. Don’t feed wild animals or allow your pets
around them. Be sure to teach children to stay away from wild mammals. Contact your veter- inarian if your dog or cat is bit en or scratched by a wild animal, such as a skunk, bat, fox or raccoon. If you suspect you’ve been exposed to
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