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Livestock Alert: Watch For Rabies
4/28/2008
Michael Fisher
Area Extension Agent
(Livestock)
Colorado State University Extension
Golden Plains
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In 300 B.C. the Greek philosopher Aristotle described the mode of
transfer and subsequent host death for the disease that we know as rabies. In
2008 the disease is still an issue and has recently been a problem in the
Golden Plains of Colorado.
It is believed that any warm blooded animal
that comes into direct contact with the rabies virus has the potential of
contracting the disease. However, some species are more susceptible to the
disease than others. Researchers have listed the top five susceptible species
as the fox, the skunk, cattle, dogs, and cats.
The disease is typically
transferred by a bite but can also be transmitted through an open wound or
mucous membranes. Once the virus has entered a new host, it follows the nervous
system from the entry point to the brain. The time between exposure to the
disease and the onset of clinical signs can be as little as 10 days or as long
as 6 months. Typically, this incubation period will take 3 to 6 weeks. Once
clinical signs are apparent, death is likely to follow in 3 to 10 days.
There are many signs that suggest rabies in an animal. Some of these
can be host specific or related to the strain of the rabies virus that you are
dealing with. Often times, the signs may simply be "acting strange". Perhaps
the host animal will be depressed or lethargic and may not be eating or
drinking. Some animals may become vicious and attack anything that moves and
sometimes things that do not move. One of the later signs is that the animal
may not be able to swallow and begins to froth at the mouth.
Rabies may
be classified as either dumb or furious rabies. Sixty percent of dog cases are
the dumb variety. These animals may have a paralyzed mouth and/or tongue.
Sometimes the paralysis will begin in the hindquarters and move forward. Those
with furious rabies will hide in dark locations, become restless, vocal, and
potentially vicious. They may roam for miles and attack anything that gets in
their way.
Infected cattle and horses usually suffer from the furious
variety. However, they too can contract the dumb rabies. Watch for cattle and
horses to paw the ground and chase other animals. They may also run into walls,
fences, and other solid objects. Cattle with rabies may develop an unusual
sounding bellow that persists up to their death. Rabid horses are prone to
biting themselves.
If you suspect that you may have a case of rabies on
your ranch or farm. You should contact your veterinarian immediately and take
precautions to protect yourself and your family from contracting the disease.
In some cases, your veterinarian will want to put the suspect animal under
quarantine and observation. In other cases, the animal may be euthanized and
tested for the disease. The rabies test requires that brain tissue is used for
the test. Therefore, if you are forced to put down a rabies suspected animal
yourself, be careful not to destroy the animal's brain tissue in the
process.
Due to recent concerns in the Golden Plains Area, Dr. Roger
Ellis, CSU Extension Veterinarian, put out a Veterinary Beef Bulletin last week
that discusses the issues of rabies in cattle and subsequent human exposure.
That bulletin can be found on our website at
http://goldenplains.colostate.edu/cattle_rabies.html. |
Page Created and Maintained by: Perry D. Brewer, Area
Extension Agent (Technology Education/Youth)
4/30/2008 |
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