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Editor: Jeffrey Harlan Penneys, Esq.
Profession: Philadelphia Personal Injury Attorney

Category: General Information

What is rabies? Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the nervous system. It results in paralysis and almost certain death once the symptoms appear. Symptoms usually appear within 2 to 8 weeks after being infected.

All warm-blooded animals can be infected by the virus. It is most often found in raccoons, foxes, skunks, bats, and when not vaccinated, dogs and cats. It is rarely seen in rodents such as mice, squirrels, chipmunks, guinea pigs, and hamsters or rabits.

The rabies virus is present in the saliva of the rabid animal. The most common way the disease is spread is by a bite or scratch from an infected animal. Though rare, rabies can also be spread if the infected animal's saliva comes in contact with fresh scratches, open wounds or mucous membrane.

People most likely to be exposed to rabies are cats and dogs kept outside and allowed to roam, wild and farm animals, and humans who hunt, hike and camp.

Is there a cure for rabies? Once the signs of rabies appear, the disease is always fatal. In humans, there is time after being bitten-or otherwise infected-to contact a doctor and begin anti-rabies treatment to prevent the disease.

How do you recognize a rabid animal?

After the animal has been infected with the rabies virus, a period of a few days to several months can pass before signs of the disease show. Toward the end of this incubation period, the virus may be present in the saliva and the animal can spread rabies; this may occur before even symptoms appear.

In any animal, the first sign of rabies is a marked change in behavior. It becomes either unnaturally withdrawn or unapproachable. In the furious form of rabies, the animal is excited, aggressive, irritable and may snap at anything in its path. It loses all caution and fear of natural enemies. If the animal has the less aggressive form of the disease, it will be unusually tame, affectionate and friendly. Staggering, convulsions, spitting, frothing at the mouth and gradual paralysis are sometimes noted. Many animals have a marked change of voice.

How do you know if an animal has rabies?

The only way to prove an animal has rabies is to destroy it and have its brain tested in a laboratory. If a healthy, domestic cat or dog bites a human being, it may be captured and quarantined for 10 days, instead of being destroyed. If no signs of rabies develop during that time, it is safe to assume the cat or dog did not transmit rabies at the time of the bite. If the pet was able to transmit rabies at the time of the bite, it would have developed symptoms and probably died within the 10-day quarantine period.

Does everyone bitten by an animal need anti-rabies treatment?

No. A doctor must make a decision based on your information concerning the type of animal and how the bite occurred. For example, a bite from a raccoon, skunk, fox or bat is more likely to require treatment than a bite from a dog or a cat. A bite from a squirrel rarely requires anti-rabies treatment. An unprovoked attack is more likely to require treatment than a provoked attack.

If you are bitten by a wild animal:

(1) Capture or kill the animal if possible, so it can be tested;

(2) Immediately wash the wound with lots of soap and running water;

(3) Get medical attention. Go to your family doctor or the nearest emergency room. The doctor and hospital are required to report the animal bite to the local Department of Health.

If you are bitten by a pet dog or cat:

(1) Obtain the pet owner's name, address and phone number. Try to find out if the animal has a current rabies vaccination and write down the rabies tag number.

(2) Immediately wash the wound with lots of soap and running water;

(3) Get medical attention. Go to your family doctor or the nearest emergency room. The doctor and hospital are required to report the animal bite to the local Department of Health.

Have the following information ready:

(1) Type and description of animal;

(2) If it is a pet, who owns it and where it lives;

(3) How the bite occurred;

(4) Whether the animal has been seen in the area before and what direction it was traveling;

(5) How it behaved.