The Alternative and Complementary
Veterinary Centers of New York

Newsletter

 Rabies in Manhattan!

We just received a VETERINARY ALERT from the NYC Department of Health informing us that a racoon found outside Inwood Hill Park tested positive for Rabies!  Important point are:

• As far as we know, there were no known human exposures to this raccon.
  
• This is the first rabid racoon identified in Manhattan since 2001
  
• There have been 5 Rabies positive racoons in NYC in 2009 (four in the Bronx, and this one in Manhattan)
  
• If a pet is not up to date with Rabies vaccines and may have been exposed to a known or suspected rabid animal is required to enter inot a six month quarantine in an approved facility or be euthanized.

 WHAT IS RABIES?

Descriptions of rabies go back thousands of years as rabies has classically been one of the most feared infections of all time. It is caused by a bullet-shaped rhabdovirus that is relatively unstable in the environment, requiring fresh contact with mucous membranes to establish infection.

Rabies is nearly untreatable once symptoms begin despite all theresources of modern medicine and it is important to take its threat seriously. It is because of rabies that most municipalities have dog licensing requirements in order to ensure that the community's dogs are vaccinated.

The most common wildlife species to spread rabies to domestic animals and humans in the Northern Hemisphere are the skunk, bat, raccoon, fox, and coyote. It should be noted in particular that wildlife, bats especially, are able to gain access to indoor areas and potentially infect pets and people.

While it may take a long time for the virus to incubate, once even mild symptoms begin, death occurs within 10 days.

HOW DO PEOPLE AND PETS GET RABIES?

In most cases, disease is transmitted via bite wound. Only mammals are susceptible to infection, and wildlife is the primary animal group where infection occurs.

When wildlife comes into contact with humans or domestic animals, rabies becomes a public health problem. Despite vaccination being readily available, every year the U.S. reports several human deaths from rabies, not to mention hundreds of dog and cat deaths.

Virus in the infected animal's saliva enters the victim's tissues during the bite. The virus attaches to the local muscle cells for a couple of days before penetrating to local nerves and beginning its slow ascent to the brain. Once in nervous tissue, the virus is not accessible to the immune system and may safely proceed, although the journey is slow taking up to one year (average time between bite and detectable virus in the brain is 20 to 30 days). Virus ultimately reaches the brain and in two to three days more is evident in all body secretions including saliva. At this point, the disease becomes transmissible and symptoms begin.

PREVENTION OF RABIES

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE NYC DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH 

• Avoid contact with wild animals
• Feed your pet indoors (not in the backyard if you have one)
• Avoid leaving your pet outdoors unattended
• Avoid trying to seperate animals if they are fighting
• Contact your veterinarian if your pet has been in contact with an animal that might be rabid

Happily, rabies prevention is accomplished with vaccination and limiting exposure to wildlife. The standard killed-virus vaccines are available for both dogs and cats and, after the initial dose, which is good for one year, subsequent doses are generally good for three years.

Rabies vaccination protocols are typically controlled by municipal regulations. Most communities legally require vaccination of all dogs. The American Association of Feline Practitioners recommends rabies vaccination for all cats.

In our practices we vaccinate all cats yearly, and all dogs every two years (to allow some overlap in case of lapsed vaccines)

HOW CAN I KNOW IF MY PET HAS BEEN VACCINATED AGAINST RABIES?

Believe it or not, although Rabies vaccinations are mandated by law in New York, hundreds and hundreds of our clients inadvertantly let the vaccines lapse. In fact, a study we did today at Riverside Veterinary Group shows that 40% of the patients we've seen over the past 3 years are NOT VACCINATED against Rabies, even though we've sent repeated reminders to vaccinate.

If you call us, we'll be happy to tell you what your dog's vaccination status is and whether or not you should vaccinate now.