Would you recognise rabies?

RE: Would you recognise rabies?

Andreas Ege — Thu, 03 Nov 2022 13:31:51 GMT

[quote userid="28846" url="~/001/veterinary-clinical/small-animal/f/misc-clinical-discussions/30395/would-you-recognise-rabies/239795#239795"]and sometimes even death if left untreated.[/quote]

That's a slight understatement if I ever heard one. Once clinical signs, especially neurological, become apparent, rabies almost always leads to death even if treated.

[quote userid="28846" url="~/001/veterinary-clinical/small-animal/f/misc-clinical-discussions/30395/would-you-recognise-rabies/239795#239795"]a proper diagnosis from a veterinarian is necessary to confirm rabies[/quote]

In human medicine there is some in-vivo testing available that apparently has reasonably good sensitivity/ specifity to confirm rabies suspicion. Not fully sure on the veterinary side but as far as I am aware the usual way definitely confirming rabies is by looking at the brain, i.e. a post-mortem.

RE: Would you recognise rabies?

Elizabeth — Wed, 02 Nov 2022 06:45:14 GMT

Hi Cassie, my reason for asking the question is that in the U.K. we don’t have rabies, but we are being flooded with imported rescue dogs from Eastern Europe where rabies is present.
These replies haven’t reassured me that us UK vets are likely to diagnose rabies if it is seen. Mark’s post especially - aggressive feral cat with seizures? - I can confidently say that I wouldn’t have put rabies on my differential diagnoses list.

RE: Would you recognise rabies?

Cassie Blunt — Wed, 02 Nov 2022 05:57:04 GMT

Thanks for your input about it Simo. As I further research about it, I learned that some common signs of rabies in animals include aggressive behavior, unusual shyness or fearlessness, paralysis, excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth, and difficulty swallowing. It is important to note that these symptoms can also be present in other illnesses, so a proper diagnosis from a veterinarian is necessary to confirm rabies. If a person has been potentially exposed to rabies, they should seek medical attention immediately and inform their healthcare provider of the potential exposure. Symptoms in humans can include fever, headache, and general weakness or discomfort, progressing to confusion, hallucinations, seizures, paralysis, and sometimes even death if left untreated. Again, these symptoms can also be present in other illnesses so a proper diagnosis is necessary. However, prompt medical attention and post-exposure treatment can prevent the development of rabies in humans. Animal Clinic at Wellington Reserve offers rabies vaccinations for dogs, cats, and many more. Our experienced veterinarians will ensure your pet receives the appropriate dosage and documentation. Schedule an appointment with one of Animal Clinic at Wellington Reserve licensed veterinarians today to discuss your pet's individual needs and ensure their health and well-being.

RE: Would you recognise rabies?

Simon Neuhoff — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 18:48:40 GMT

I have only ever seen one confirmed case of rabies - in a Staffie in 2000. My first every job in rural South Africa. Came in happy and wagging tail but unable to close it's mouth properly, drooling a little. My boss saw it and admitted it - and I helped to try to syringe feed it whilst we tried to work out what was going on. The penny dropped only some hours later.....

This dog was nothing like the video above - and my understanding is that many cases can present with the "dumb" and non aggresisve form.

RE: Would you recognise rabies?

Cassie Blunt — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 14:18:48 GMT

Rabies is a severe and life-threatening disease that affects the nervous system. It is caused by a virus and is usually transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. Symptoms of rabies include fever, headache, muscle pain, weakness, paralysis, and seizures. If untreated, rabies can be fatal. If you think you may have been exposed to rabies, seek medical attention immediately. There is no specific cure for rabies, but prompt treatment can be effective in preventing the disease from developing. Vaccination is the best way to prevent rabies. If you are traveling to an area where rabies is expected, make sure you are up-to-date on your vaccinations. It would help if you also avoided contact with wild or domestic animals that may be infected with rabies. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately.

RE: Would you recognise rabies?

Julian Earl — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 16:24:14 GMT

I'ethanked you Mark and like that ost fr being dso very educationsl!!ot a diseae to mess roundwith HuH NO JOKEAT ALL!!

RE: Would you recognise rabies?

mark bridge — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 15:48:04 GMT

I practice in western Pennsylvania in the US. I've had rabies on my list of differentials many times, but have only had positive cases twice, both cats. One cat presented with weakness in the hind limbs. I admitted the cat for blood-work and radiographs, but before I had a chance to do diagnostics, the cat had a seizure and became more aggressive. It was an outdoor cat with no history of vaccines. I euthanized the cat and submitted the head for testing, my first positive case.

The other cat was part of a feral colony. The woman who fed the colony had noticed several cats die and thought someone was poisoning them. A local cat rescue was working with her and brought a sick cat in for an exam. The cat was unvaccinated, vicious, and profoundly neurologically abnormal. I suggested euthanasia and rabies testing and the client declined. I released the cat to the owner, narrowly avoiding a bite, then reported the case to the state health department. They eventually convinced her on euthanasia and testing. Positive.

I've killed several rabid raccoons on my own property. They were easy to dispatch, as they were just stumbling around like slow zombies. The one rabid fox I saw was in my front yard! My neighbor said it had been laying in my yard all day. I took a shovel from the barn, meaning to hit it over the head. It stood up and began pacing toward me like I was its prey. I ran, exchanged shovel for shotgun. It was positive.

RE: Would you recognise rabies?

Julie Innes — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 12:20:00 GMT

Gosh, I vividly remember the public health lecture at uni where we were shown videos of animals with rabies!! It was akin to those public safety videos in the 70s- absolutely terrifying! I have never forgotten the rabid cat on the top of the wardrobe flying at someone!!!

RE: Would you recognise rabies?

Clive Ansell — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 14:20:58 GMT

[quote userid="2131" url="~/001/veterinary-clinical/small-animal/f/misc-clinical-discussions/30395/would-you-recognise-rabies/238835#238835"]How did they proceed with it?[/quote]

As I remember it was heavily sedated to be examined, with those involved wearing protective clothing. once the stick was found between the maxillary molars and removed, panic was over. Horse was fine.

It was a case that was referred to the university, so whether the referring clinician had discovered the stick or not, or whether the referral clinicians already knew, and the case was just used as a teaching example of possible rabies, I don't know.

Good teaching exercise though, it has remained in my brain ever since not to be the one that misses the first case of rabies introduced into the UK.

RE: Would you recognise rabies?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 00:49:42 GMT

[quote userid="5012" url="~/001/veterinary-clinical/small-animal/f/misc-clinical-discussions/30395/would-you-recognise-rabies/238831#238831"]It was hammered in to us as students too. We were once presented with a horse that was showing manic behaviour and aggression, was hypersalivating, and had a history of a recent visit to continental Europe, so rabies on the list of ddx's. Turned out to have a stick stuck between its molars. I remember it, because the students and clinical residents had not considered rabies, and the senior clinician really drove the message home! [/quote]

How did they proceed with it?

RE: Would you recognise rabies?

Clive Ansell — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 17:02:44 GMT

I hope I never see one, but it is always in the back of my mind.

I used to locum for a practice that came across many illegally and improperly vaccinated imported dogs and puppies. My ears would prick up if any ever presented with any neurological signs.

It was hammered in to us as students too. We were once presented with a horse that was showing manic behaviour and aggression, was hypersalivating, and had a history of a recent visit to continental Europe, so rabies on the list of ddx's. Turned out to have a stick stuck between its molars. I remember it, because the students and clinical residents had not considered rabies, and the senior clinician really drove the message home!

RE: Would you recognise rabies?

Elizabeth — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 15:44:42 GMT

Thanks Julian. Hopefully I never will see one, but the U.K. Brucella cases are getting me nervous!
I can imagine getting up close doing neuro exams etc potentially putting all the staff at risk. I wonder if there’s been undiagnosed cases over here already.

RE: Would you recognise rabies?

Julian Earl — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 15:29:38 GMT

HeklloElizabeth, Although dealing with a quarantinekennels for many years wenever hada suspicious ce. Butmyunderstandingids tht most canine casestend tobe presented as the dumb/paralyic typeor stage t i as that are more ikely to be hyperexcited and aggrese sopotentiallyfar more daner to people as consewuenc/ oofd Luck in never seeing areal ase of course as well!! gnuine caseof ourse!