Understanding Canine Rabies

What is Canine Rabies?

Canine rabies causes acute inflammation of the brain in all warm-blooded hosts, including humans, and the outcome is almost always fatal. Although all species of mammals are susceptible to rabies virus infection, only a few species are important as reservoirs for the disease across the US. In the United States, several distinct rabies virus variants have been identified in terrestrial mammals with significant overlap, including raccoons (posing a higher risk in New England and the East), skunks (a common source of exposure in the Midwest, Southwest and California), foxes (prevalent source of exposure in New York, Texas and Eastern Canada), wolves (are likely carriers near the Great Lakes Regions and in Alaska) and coyotes (in Texas). In addition to these terrestrial reservoirs, several species of bat (which are distributed widely) are also reservoirs for rabies.

Transmission

Transmission of canine rabies virus usually begins when the infected saliva of a host is passed to an uninfected animal. Saliva on an open wound or disrupted membrane also constitutes exposure. The most common mode of rabies virus transmission is through the bite and virus-containing saliva of an infected host.

Signs and Symptoms

The average incubation period in dogs is 2-8 weeks, however symptoms can start much earlier or later depending on how close the area of exposure is to the brain as the virus must travel to the brain along the nerves and then to the mouth before entering the salivary glands.

Dogs typically display two different reactions to the canine rabies virus; the first being the most well known, is aggression (attacking and aggressively bold behavior). The second, which is less looked for is an inability to coordinate muscle movements (walking into objects, falling down). In both cases, excessive drooling develops as the muscles used for swallowing exhibit the paralysis that is characteristic of the disease.

Once clinical signs of rabies appear, the disease is fatal.

Concerns

A lot of people are questioning the necessity of the rabies vaccine for domestic dogs, especially since the United States has been declared free of the Canine strain. While this is true, the feline strain is alive and well in our cat population and rabies is also still carried by US wolves, bats, foxes and other wildlife. Considering this; cats and the wild animals your dog may encounter is what's likely to put him/her at risk and freeing the US of the canine strain simply means your dog is not likely to get rabies from another dog.

So while many are saying no to this vaccine, I think it is equally important to understand what they are saying yes to by taking that course of action.

At worst, if your dog is bitten by an animal not known to be free of rabies and is not vaccinated it will be euthanized immediately. At best, the CDC suggests a very strict six month quarantine (which the dog owner has to pay for) and vaccination at month five before release assuming that your dog does not show signs of infection.

On the other hand, if your dog IS vaccinated, they will vaccinate it again immediately and release it into your care for a 45 day period of observation.

If your dog has been vaccinated and bites a person it will be confined and observed for 10 days.

Making the choice to leave your dog unvaccinated is dangerous for your dog even if he/she never contracts the disease simply because the CDC is very clear about the way veterinarians are to legally handle a dog suspected of having come into contact with a rabid animal and the only way to confirm rabies is through brain tissue samples (the dog is euthanized, it's head is removed and shipped to a lab for testing).

Stray dogs that have bitten a person or been exposed to a rabid animal are immediately euthanized and tested to prevent the spread of the disease.

Treatment: Procedure to Follow If Your Dog is Bitten by Any Animal not Known to be Free of Rabies

You must act as if the animal is infected. Put on gloves and immediately clean the wounded area with soap and water. Studies have shown that prompt, local and vigorous wound cleaning greatly reduces the risk of rabies infection. The gloves are necessary to protect you from potentially infected saliva as rabies does pass on to, infect and is equally as dangerous to humans as it is to dogs.

Take your dog into your vet and get him/her revaccinated immediately as this mode of prevention is not effective once signs of infection appear. Your dog will be released into your care and placed under leash confinement for 45 days at which point he/she will be proven to be free of symptoms.

Who Can Administer the Canine Rabies Vaccine?

This varies from state to state, as some do allow the licensing of laypersons to handle and administer the canine rabies vaccine, however most require rabies vaccines to be administered only by or under the direct supervision of a veterinarian. Canine rabies vaccinations also may be administered under the supervision of a veterinarian to animals held in animal-control shelters before release. Any person administering the rabies vaccine must be appropriately trained in vaccine storage, handling, administration, and in the management of adverse events. This practice ensures that a qualified and responsible person can be held accountable for properly vaccinating the animal. For the rabies laws that affect your state, see our dog vaccination schedule page.

When is the Best Time to Vaccinate?

Make sure your dog is healthy and is not recovering from surgeries or illness.
Do not vaccinate too early, most vets advise waiting until after 12 weeks and you might want to wait longer in toy breeds.
Keep vaccinations 3-4 weeks apart from each other.

When is an Animal Considered Immunized Against Rabies?

Within 28 days after initial vaccination, and immediately upon the administration of the vaccine booster, the animal can be considered immunized. Animals maintain their immunized status by following the vaccine protocols for initial vaccination and following up with subsequent boosters.

What if I Feel That Vaccinating for Rabies Will Endanger My Dog's Life?

In the case of severe allergies, immune deficiencies, age, illness or other infirmity, it is possible in some states to get a certificate of exemption from legally having to administer the canine rabies vaccine to your dog by having your veterinarian write a letter stating why it is inadvisable for your dog's health and filling out a form that is typically submitted along with your application for a dog license (freeing you of possible fines related to violating your local health and safety ordinances that in some regions can reach an excess of 2,000.00). These certificates usually have to be renewed annually and while they provide you legal protection from wrong-doing they do not provide your dog with immunized status. If exposed to a rabid animal your dog will still be subject to euthanasia or a possible six month quarantine; exemptions are not to be taken lightly and should only be used when dire circumstances will arise as a result of introducing the vaccine into your dog's system.

States currently offering exemptions are; Arizona, California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin.

Can I Vaccinate My Wolf-Hybrid?

The canine rabies vaccine is currently not licensed for use in wolf-hybrids as there is no evidence as of yet that it is effective in wolf-dogs. So while hybrid owners are typically encouraged to vaccinate against rabies, most states will not consider them to be legally immunized, even if they are current on their rabies vaccinations.

What is the Least Expensive Way to Get the Vaccine?

Many states fund low-cost mobile clinics to distribute the vaccine, if your state does not, then your local Animal Control or PETCO will most likely be the least expensive option.

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