Symptoms of rabies in animals Most of us can picture the appearance of a rabid animal. Aggressive, vicious and out of control. This is true for the “furious” form. Rabies can also present in a ‘dumb” form. Where the animal is not aggressive but appears non-responsive and depressed. Other non-specific symptoms: • Sudden change in behaviour • Drooling • Chewing stones • Paralysis of the lower jaw and tongue (can also affect the legs) • Lose of territorial instinct – animal wanders around aimlessly When a domesticated (tame) animal suddenly becomes wild or a wild animal suddenly becomes tame – rabies might be the cause. Rabies is 100% preventable. It is compulsory to vaccinate all dogs and cats against rabies in South Africa. First vaccine is given at 3 months of age and repeated before patient is a year old. Thereafter a booster vaccine must be administered every 3 years (in some parts of SA, like KZN) and in travelling pets it is usually required to vaccinate every year). Tonight we will be looking at what to do when bitten by a suspected rabid animal.
Posted on: Mon, 15 Jul 2013 12:00:00 +0000
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