Information for Veterinarians

Clinical signs in animals

Rabies virus causes acute encephalitis in all warm-blooded hosts, and the outcome of infection is nearly always fatal. Early signs in animals include:

• Abnormal behavior
• Lethargy
• Fever
• Vomiting and anorexia
• Ataxia
• Weakness
• Self-mutilation
• Rapid progression to cerebral and cranial nerve dysfunction
• Paralysis
• Seizures
• Swallowing difficulties
• Excessive salivation
• Aggression

Animal vaccines

Animal rabies vaccines should only be administered by a veterinarian or under veterinary supervision, in compliance with local laws. A list of licensed and marketed animal vaccines in the United States is available in the Animal Rabies Compendium.

An animal is considered immunized 28 days after their initial vaccination. Animals with any vaccination history are considered vaccinated immediately after a booster, even if the animal was overdue for its vaccine.

Vaccine schedules vary by product and state, and local laws may also influence the timing for rabies vaccine schedules. Consult with local health officials to ensure your practices comply with regulations. Most dogs, cats, and ferrets should not be vaccinated before 3 months (12 weeks) of age, as the immune response to vaccination is not as strong in young animals.

No parenteral vaccines are licensed for use in wild animals. For exhibits and zoo animals, the Animal Rabies Compendium recommends off-label vaccination for high-risk and endangered animals. Local and state health officials manage rabies exposure on a case-by-case basis.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis

Veterinarians and other veterinary professionals working with susceptible animals should receive rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis. Zoo staff should receive pre-exposure prophylaxis if they work with susceptible species, especially those without a licensed vaccine.

Managing an animal that has bitten a person

Dogs, cats, and ferrets

Immediately euthanize and test animals showing clinical signs consistent with rabies.

Rabies virus can be present in the saliva of infected dogs, cats, and ferrets during illness and even several days before clinical signs develop. In coordination with public health authorities, confine and observe a healthy dog, cat, or ferret suspected of having rabies that exposes a person or pet for 10 days post-exposure.

Stray animals that bit or scratched a person and that you suspect of having rabies should be euthanized and tested right away to inform the bite victim's medical treatment. However, particularly if it's possible to re-home the animal, you may consider a 10-day observation period in lieu of euthanasia.

If signs of illness develop during the 10 days following the bite (or other exposure), immediately report the situation to the local health department. If you suspect rabies, euthanize the animal and contact public health officials to coordinate testing at an approved rabies laboratory. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) should be used if any procedure may expose people to animal saliva or nervous tissues. Standard PPE when caring for or euthanizing an animal suspected to have rabies includes:

• Latex or nitrile gloves
• Face covering (e.g., shield)
• Eye covering (e.g., goggles, glasses)
• Smock or lab coat
• Mask (N95 preferred)

Although rare, rabies vaccine failures in animals do occur. Therefore, even animals with a history of vaccination should be observed for 10 days after they bite or scratch a person.

Other animals

Report bites from other animals, including bats, skunks, raccoons, and foxes, to your local health department. How exposures are clinically managed will depend on the species, exposure circumstances, rabies epidemiology in the area, the animal's health history, and the animal's potential rabies exposure. Vaccination history may not preclude euthanasia and testing.

For detailed recommendations, refer to the Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control.

Caring for exposed animals

Owners and caretakers may not always recognize rabies exposures in pets and livestock. A public health official familiar with rabies should conduct a risk assessment and determine the severity of the exposure.

Vaccinated animals

Up-to-date dogs, cats, and ferrets

Animals exposed to rabies should:

• Receive immediate booster vaccination
• Stay under owner supervision
• Be monitored for signs of rabies for 45 days

Report any signs of illness observed during this period to public health officials.

If clinical signs are suggestive of rabies, euthanize the animal and submit for rabies testing.

Up-to-date livestock

Re-vaccinate livestock exposed to rabies and observe them for 45 days. Consult with public health officials to determine next steps to contain the spread of rabies.

Use appropriate PPE to prevent direct contact with saliva or nervous tissues when handling carcasses or uncooked tissues from exposed animals. Notify authorities including public health departments, state meat inspectors, and/or the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service of rabies cases involving animals intended for consumption.

Off-label vaccinations

Animals vaccinated off-label may not respond to the rabies vaccine as effectively as those for which the vaccine was developed. Consult public health or animal health officials regarding management of animals vaccinated off-label and exposed to rabies.

In general, animals exposed to rabies and vaccinated off-label should be euthanized. In certain situations, euthanasia may be avoided or delayed, including:

• Animals held in USDA-licensed research facilities or accredited zoos
• High-value or endangered species
• Animals for which data suggests off-label vaccination is effective

Animals overdue for rabies vaccination

Animals who have rabies exposure, have been vaccinated with a U.S. licensed rabies vaccine, and are overdue for their vaccination should be assessed on a case-by-case basis by public health and animal health officials to determine the proper course of action. Generally, these animals can be given a booster vaccination and managed like animals that are current on their rabies vaccination. However, the duration of vaccine lapse and severity of the exposure can influence how to manage these animals.

Post-serological monitoring can be conducted to either confirm the vaccination status of an animal without appropriate records or to ensure that an exposed animal has mounted an adequate immune response to vaccination. A successful antibody response to vaccination may support a decision to manage an animal as if it's up to date on rabies vaccine.

Animals never vaccinated

Dogs, cats, and ferrets

Following rabies exposure, unvaccinated dogs, cats, and ferrets should be euthanized since no licensed biologics can ensure that they do not develop rabies. If the owner declines, dogs and cats need a strict 4-month quarantine, and ferrets need strict 6-month quarantine. They also need immediate rabies vaccination. health officials may reduce the quarantine period if the animal demonstrates an adequate serological response to vaccination. Conduct the quarantine in a secure facility that ensures people and other animals do not become exposed.

Livestock

Euthanize or keep unvaccinated livestock under strict quarantine for 4 - 6 months after a rabies exposure. During this quarantine period, do not sell or consume products (milk, meat) from unvaccinated livestock with a high-risk exposure to rabies.

Other mammals

Other mammals should be euthanized immediately.