[MERGED] The Rabies Thread (From Dogs, Cats, Bats, etc.)

[Ira]

Rats are not considered likely to carry rabies, although there are isolated cases that people have supposedly died of rabies due to rat bites, but these are because no other animal vectors were identified. Generally, you can't get rabies from a rat because rats have "dry" bites, and rabies is passed through saliva.

[isle of view]

how come it bled when i was bitten? i think that incident feared mama when i said to her that it bled so we went to the hospital immediately.

[Ira]

Why did it bleed? Because like with all other animals with sharp teeth, you can get wounds when bitten by them.

[isle of view]

thanks doc.

by the way, how about the doses i completed, will it affect me somehow?

[Ira]

Affect you in what way? If you didn't have any immediate reaction with the immunity shots, then they won't affect you now. The shots don't have longterm side effects.

[saywhat]

would a person bitten by a mouse, but did not bleed, be safe from rabies?

[Ira]

Bleeding or non-bleeding does not really have any consequences on rabies transmission, if ever you got bitten by a rabid mouse.

[saywhat]

meaning: i could get rabies whether or not i bled after a mouse bit me.

oh my god.

[Ira]

It will have to be a rabid mouse or rat. Just because you got bitten by one doesn't mean you'll automatically get rabies.

[Road Dogg]

Doc Ira, papaano kung nakalmot po ako ng daga during my sleep? Medyo malaki iyung daga eh. Kaninang madaling araw ako nakagat. May possibility na magkaroon ako ng rabies?

[batang uliran]

At least in the US, small rodents such as mice and rats, have not been known to cause rabies in humans.

Rabies is usually transmitted via an infected animal's bite. There is a difference in risk from a 'kalmot' and an actual bite because there will definitely be infected saliva in a bite but not necessarily from an animal's claws.

[SHINJI]

hi all, my cat bit me a few weeks ago while i was preventing him from getting into a fight w/ a stray. anyway, he has never been vaccinated for anti-rabies. i have a few questions:

1. will a blood test sample tell if i have rabies?
2. when does the effects of rabies usually appear?
3. my cat is still normal naman eh, he's not what you call a pusang olol or something. can you guys say he doesn't have rabies?

experts, please enlighten me more about the topic. especially if there is a PEX vet around. thanks!

[eyedoc]

I'll try to answer your questions one by one.

1. No
2. The first symptoms of rabies may be nonspecific flu-like signs: malaise, fever, or headache, which may last for days. There may be discomfort or paresthesia at the site of exposure (bite), progressing within days to symptoms of cerebral dysfunction, anxiety, confusion, agitation, progressing to delirium, abnormal behavior, hallucinations, and insomnia. The acute period of disease typically ends after 2 to 10 days (6). Once clinical signs of rabies appear, the disease is nearly always fatal, and treatment is typically supportive. Disease prevention is entirely prophylactic and includes both passive antibody (immune globulin) and vaccine. Non-lethal exceptions are extremely rare.
3. The usual procedure is to observe the animal (if it's a pet) for 10 days. If there are signs of "change in personality" in the pet during that time, it's warranted to have the rabies shots already. However, if the animal is not a pet, it is usually considered rabid (since you can't observe its behavior) and prophylactic anti rabies shots administered immediately. Remember, there is almost no survivors from full blown rabies.

Since you've been bitten a few weeks ago already and your cat hasn't displayed any behavioral changes since then, I don't think it's likely that you have rabies.

[SHINJI]

thanks! ur a lifesaver.

one last question:

is it possible that rabies lay dormant for months/years in a person's body until it just suddenly becomes active? i've heard rumors, don't know if its true though.

THANKS!

[eyedoc]

It's possible that there may be prolonged incubation period. However, during the time that the cat/dog/animal bites you and gives you the virus, the virus has already reached the animal's brain so it (the animal) will typically display signs of behavioral changes. If this happens, it's best to have the shots already. In wild animals where the change is behavior is not monitored, it is standard procedure to assume that it's infected and to give the proper shots already.

You cannot really wait to have the signs because there is NO CURE for the disease once it reaches the symptomatic stage. At present, the only way to prevent death is to have the shots once rabies is suspected.

Here's a very good site on rabies.

[Investigator]

prevalent ba ang rabies sa mga felines? di ba yung madalas lang dito sa pinas eh galing sa aso?

[eyedoc]

Rabies can be found in practically all mammals. Dogs, cats, bats are the more known carriers. Here, it is more well documented for dogs, but cats may also harbor it. However, cats are less likely to bite than dogs.

BTW, a lick from a rabid animal on an open wound could also transmit the rabies virus.

[SHINJI]

thanks! bale i guess i don't have rabies 'coz i'm still alive and my cat is still alive and normal (not rabid). anyway, how does an animal contract the rabies virus ba besides being bitten by an infected carrier? i mean, how does it all start ba? contaminated food or inborn trait or something? thanks!

[eyedoc]

The mode of transmission is via the contact of the open wound with the saliva, mostly through bites.

How it all started? It's probably lost in history, same as most other diseases.

[Marius]

Is this true? Why?

So, ano na'ng gagawin pag nakagat ka ng aso (na may rabies)?