Fight the Bite: Enjoy the Outdoors Without Contracting Rabies

            As we spring into beautiful spring weather it is always important to be mindful of the wild outdoors and how to ensure we stay safe while enjoying what Mother Nature has to offer. One of the risks of the outdoors is being bitten by a wild animal. The bite from such animal carries many infection-causing germs along with the possibility of transmitting rabies. Rabies is a disease carried by either animal or man (rare). It is transmitted through a bite or scratch from the mouth of an infected specimen.

            According to the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the state of Missouri had a total of 66 documented cases of rabies in 2009. Of the 66 cases, 50 were bats, 15 were skunks, and one domestic cat. When we think about these rates, we realize that these are actually really low. However, this can be credited to the increase in pet vaccinations and the number of test specimens in Missouri.

            So how do we know if an animal has rabies? According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, there are 2 different types of rabies: 

• Furious Rabies 
• Spotted through a change in personality especially the bark may become hoarse due to the paralysis of the vocal cords. 
• The animal may become sensitive to light or tries to hide in dark places.
• The animal may become very excited and restless. 
• The animal will begin to roam for miles, snapping and biting at anything that may get in the way.
• Within four to eight days, paralysis sets in ultimately killing the rabid animal
• Dumb or Paralytic Rabies
• The animal will become paralyzed in a portion of the body. 
• A dog with dumb rabies usually has a dropped jaw with tongue hanging out and saliva dropping from their lips. In some cases they may become paralyzed from the hind quarters and eventually move forward.
• The animal is usually not vicious and most times can’t bite.

            It's important to remember that if you are ever bit by an animal that you think may have been in contact with rabies you should always seek medical attention just as a precaution. Even if the animal isn’t expected to have rabies, bites of the face, head, neck and hands are at an increased risk of infection. Strong supervision and oversight is a must in this case. 

            Basic first aid for an animal bite, according to the State Department of Health, includes washing the site with soap and water for a prolonged period of time, as well as consulting your physician immediately. If you are consulted to seek medical attention, there is a three-shot sequence of vaccinations that will be advised. It is estimated to cost roughly $2,500.

            Rabies can be prevented by following these simple tips:

• Vaccinate all domestic animals(Cats, Dogs, Ferrets, etc.) against rabies 
• Keep your pets under supervision while outside.
• Never handle stray or wild animals. Contact an animal control officer or game warden if you find a stray or come into contact with a strange acting animal. 
• By spaying and neutering you are decreasing the chances of your pet roaming away from home and coming into contact with other strays or wild animals. 
• Enjoy wildlife from a distance, don’t risk the chance of contracting rabies.