The International Society for Infectious Diseases recently released information involving a pet cat in Texas. The cat, whose behavior was described as agitated and unable to control its movements, scratched the technician during its examination. Upon the diagnosis of rabies, the technician, the veterinarian, and the cat’s two owners underwent treatment for exposure to the deadly disease.

Rabies is one of the oldest and deadliest of zoonotic diseases. The following information will help to educate staff and clients on how to control and avoid its transmission.  

Transmission of Rabies

• Bite of an infected animal
• Contact with infectious bodily fluids, such as saliva or brain tissue, that gets directly into eyes, nose, mouth, or a wound
• Non-bite exposures that occur such as scratches, abrasions, open wounds, or contact with contaminated mucous membranes

When Treating Animals That Have Been Bitten

• Wear gloves when handling and/or cleaning any bite wounds
• Thoroughly wash any wounds and exposed areas with soap and water for at least five minutes
• Quarantine animal as specified by state law

When Animals Bite

• An animal that bites a person or another animal should be regarded as potentially having rabies and safety precautions should be followed
• Quarantine animal as specified by state law
• Thoroughly wash any wounds and exposed areas with soap and water for at least five minutes
• Immediately seek medical attention
• Notify local health department as soon as possible following exposure

Postexposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

• In the United States, the PEP consists of one dose of immune globulin and five doses of rabies vaccine over a 28-day period, given in the arm
• When PEP is given promptly and properly after exposure, no one has ever developed rabies

Educate Clients on the Importance of Keeping Rabies Vaccinations Up-To-Date

• Rabies is a disease that is 100% preventable and owners have a responsibility to vaccinate their pets.
• The majority of rabies infections occur in wildlife, but the greatest exposure of the disease for humans comes from their contact with domestic animals.
• Companion pets that come into contact with infected animals increase the disease transmission risk to humans, but proper vaccination of pets reduces this risk. 

Important Information to Share

• Preventative pre-exposure vaccinations are available for high-risk groups such as veterinarians, technicians, animal control officers, shelter workers, and wildlife control officers.
• Blood, feces, and urine are not infectious as they do not carry the virus.
• Spaying and neutering pets will reduce the chance of exposure to rabies as it curbs the tendency to roam and fight.
• Avoid contact with wildlife, and if a wild animal is seen acting strangely, contact animal control officers.
• Clients who travel with pets should take along proof of their animal’s rabies inoculation. Owners who cannot show proof of vaccination may be fined and have their pets impounded.
• Any dog or cat that has frequent contact with humans should be vaccinated.

Rabies is a 100% preventable disease. Educating staff and clients of the basic procedures to follow when the virus is suspected, and of the importance in vaccinating their pets, will help to keep it that way.

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