Rabies Lecture Review

Question 1

What is Rabies?

Answer 1

Zoonotic, viral disease of warm-blooded mammals that causes encephalitis and death

Question 2

What are the most common clinical signs associated with rabies?

Answer 2

behavior changes, aggression, and progressive paralysis, DEATH

Question 3

Is Rabies a Reportable disease?

Answer 3

YES!!!

Question 4

How is rabies transmitted from one animal to another?

Answer 4

Saliva.
It is usually spread by bites, but can be spread contact of infected saliva with mucous membranes (eyes, mouth, etc).

Question 5

True or False. Rabies virus can be passed in blood, urine and feces.

Answer 5

FALSE!

Question 6

Choose one. Rabies is a(n) _____________ disease, because it is always present in the animal population.
a. endemic
b. pandemic
c. epidemic

Answer 6

a. endemic

Question 7

What are some reservoirs of the rabies virus

Answer 7

Raccoons
Skunks
Foxes
Coyotes
Insectivorous Bats

Question 8

What is the mode of transmission of rabies?

Answer 8

1. Bites
2. Non-bite Exposure (Scratches, Abrasions/Open Wounds, Mucous Membranes)
3. Aerosolization of salivia into an open wound/mucous membrane (RARE)

Question 9

the domestic animal in the US that is most often rabid

Answer 9

cats!! It can occur in very young kittens, so care should be exercised with strays!

Question 10

List some domestic animals that can contract rabies

Answer 10

cats
dogs
Horses
Sheep
Goats
Cows

Question 11

Is rabies zoonotic?

Answer 11

YEP!!!!!!!!!!

Question 12

Are all mammals susceptible to rabies?

Answer 12

Most warm-blooded mammals are considered susceptible. However, there are some species that are considered more resistant, like opossums, rabbits and rodents.

Question 13

What are the most common clinical signs associated with rabies?

Answer 13

Change in behavior
CNS signs
(history of Bite/scratch from wild animal)

Question 14

What are the stages of rabies infection?

Answer 14

1. Prodromal (1-3 days) - change in behavior/temperament
2. Excitative or Furious Form (1-7 days)- Hypersensitivity to external stimuli, BITE EVERYTHING; VERY AGGRESSIVE, WANDER & ROAM; Voice changes

3.Paralytic or Dumb Form - Some animals go directly to this stage:
Appear in stupor
Ataxic or paralyzed in rear legs after paralysis of head & neck occurs
Shifting leg lameness that leads to paresis
Have dropped jaw; drool; change in vocal sounds; act like choking

4. DEATH - Die due to paralysis of respiratory muscles; Occurs 2-7 days after clinical signs occur

Question 15

How is rabies diagnosed in animals?

Answer 15

Post-mortem analysis of brain tissue;

Question 16

Describe sample collection for rabies

Answer 16

1. First, contact your state health department for sample submission.
2. WEAR PROTECTION - PPE!!!
3. Entire head is removed from body (Do not use power tools)
4. Ship entire HEAD at refrigerated temperature
   DO NOT FREEZE OR PRESERVE HEAD
   DOUBLE BAG
   LEAK PROOF CONTAINER
   LABEL

Question 17

What is the appropriate treatment for rabies?

Answer 17

None! Prevention is key.

Question 18

What domestic animals can be vaccinated for rabies?

Answer 18

dogs, cats, ferrets, horses, cattle, sheep

Question 19

What age should Puppies, kittens and ferrets should be vaccinated for rabes

Answer 19

12 weeks!

Question 20

In small animal medicine, rabies is given routinely in what location

Answer 20

Right hindlimb

Question 21

True or False. An animal is considered rabies vaccinated immediately after his/her 1st innoculation.

Answer 21

FALSE. They are not considered vaccinated for 28 days after 1st inoculation.

Question 22

True or False. If an animals vaccination out of date, he/she is considered vaccinated at the time booster is administered.

Answer 22

True.

Question 23

Why do animal shelters typically impound strays for 3-5 days?

Answer 23

It is recommended as part of the rabies prevention program to impound strays to monitor for clinical signs of rabies.

Question 24

True or False. All counties in Georgia recognize either a 1 or a 3 year rabies vaccine as valid vaccination.

Answer 24

False. Some counties do not recognize a 3-year rabies vaccine as a valid or current vaccination. Each county is different. Some only recognize 1-year rabies vaccines.

Question 25

What is the first thing you should do if you are bitten by an animal?

Answer 25

The First Step is First Aid!! Allow the bite wound to bleed, stopping only severe blood loss. Then immediately, wash the wound with water and a disinfectant for at least 30 minutes. See a doctor for wound care +/- antibiotics.

Question 26

True or False. If you are bitten by an animal at high risk for rabies (skunk/fox/coyote/raccoon/bat) that is unavailable for testing, you should receive post-exposure rabies vaccine prophylaxis.

Answer 26

TRUE TRUE TRUE TRUE TRUE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Question 27

Who should you call to ask questions about rabies exposure and/or post-exposure prophylaxis?

Answer 27

The local Public Health Department should be your first call. After that, please follow up with your primary care physician or the Emergency Room at your local hospital.

Question 28

You are working at a local veterinary hospital when you receive a bite from an unvaccinated patient experiencing neurologic disease. The patient is not deceased, so he is not available for immediate rabies testing. You have been vaccinated previously, but have not had your titer checked in 5 years. What should you do?

Answer 28

1. Call the local health department 2. You should ideally receive a rabies vaccine booster if the patient cannot be tested and is unvaccinated *** remember to have your rabies titer checked every 2 years!!

Question 29

You are working at a local veterinary hospital when you receive a bite from a cat while restraining for venipuncture. Prior to being restrained, the cat was purring and seemingly healthy. Is this an indication for post-exposure rabies prophylaxis?

Answer 29

Most likely not. If the animal is healthy but unvaccinated, he/she will need to be quarantined for 10-14 days and observed for clinical signs. However, always involve the local health department and/or your primary care physician.

Question 30

True/False. Even casual contact with a bat means possible rabies exposure

Answer 30

True

Question 31

Veterinary staff handling animals should have pre-exposure immunization and their rabies antibody titer checked every

Answer 31

2 years

Question 32

what is the protocol for rabies vaccinated dogs, cats and ferrets with a known rabies exposure

Answer 32

Re-vaccinate and keep under owner’s control for 45 days

Question 33

what is the protocol for unvaccinated dogs, cats and ferrets with a known exposure to a rabid animal

Answer 33

Immediately euthanize or strict isolation for 6 months and vaccination 1 month before release

Question 34

can an animal in isolation for rabies be vaccinated against rabies?

Answer 34

NOPE!! The vaccine might cause a reaction that could be mistaken for clinical signs of rabies

Question 35

what is the protocol for a healthy dog, cat or ferret who bites a person

Answer 35

Confine and observe for 10-14 days. DO NOT VACCINATE! If signs occur during 10 day confinement, euthanize & submit head to local health dept.

Question 36

what is the protocol for potential rabies exposure in Unvaccinated livestock?

Answer 36

Can be eaten if slaughtered within 7 days of exposure