I am writing this article to inform pet owners about why, regardless of what the law requires, they should have their pet immunized. It is not my intention to frighten anyone nor to cause unnecessary anxiety. Rather, I want to inform pet owners about a disease that, although is potentially fatal, is easily prevented via timely routine immunizations. What disease am I referring to? Rabies!
For those of you who think that because your four-legged companion never ventures outdoors, they are not at risk, you are wrong! In this state, the principle reservoir of this horrible disease is the bat. We all know of someone who has found a bat in their beautiful upscale urban dwelling.
Currently, all states mandate dogs 3 months of age and older, and in some municipalities, cats 3 months of age and older be immunized by a veterinarian for rabies. After being vaccinated the canines are to be licensed. Breeders having a kennel license are included in the mandate to rabies vaccinate. In some jurisdictions kennel owners are permitted to give the rabies vaccination.
A rabies immunization is a cheap insurance policy. It helps protect you, your family, and your pet. The Michigan Department of Agriculture recognizes pets receiving an initial immunization, with an approved vaccine, will have a full year duration of immunity. Subsequent vaccinations, depending on the product administered, provide either one or three years of immunity. Horses and livestock receiving an approved rabies immunization, regardless of the number of immunizations previously given, are only protected for one year.
Presently, in the state of Michigan, the bat is the principal vector for rabies. It is estimated that in Michigan’s general bat population the prevalence of rabies is less than 1%. Then why do we find 4-6% of bats submitted for testing at the Michigan Department of Community Health’s Bureau of Laboratories positive for rabies?
Most likely it is because bats that are submitted for testing are often ill. The illness makes them more prone to enter a home and subsequently be caught by a pet. Cats are especially good at capturing these “flying mice”! Don’t you just love it when Fluffy or Sylvester deposits at your feet a furry present! Fact: from 1978 to 2004, 721 of the 861 rabies positive subjects (nearly 84%) were bats. For you trivia nuts, the next closest animal was the skunk coming in at a mere 76 (less than 9%).
Any animal that bites a human represents a potential exposure to rabies. Because rabies is potentially fatal, every animal bite must be treated as suspect. Hence, all animal bites must be reported to public health authorities. Public health authorities are then responsible for evaluating the risk that the bite was from a rabid animal. They coordinate testing and observation of that animal, and may recommend post-exposure treatment for the bite victim. It is important to note that a rabies infection is preventable if treatment is initiated soon after the exposure occurs.
Each year in the U.S. as many as 40,000 people a year receive rabies post-exposure prophylaxis, most often due to exposure to bats. Quite often treatment is not necessary if the bat can be collected and tests negative for rabies. It is extremely important to note that the brain of the biting mammal, bat or otherwise, not be damaged! Analyzing smashed brain tissue is not possible. You should consult your local office of the Michigan Department of Community Health for the specifics on how to capture a bat and where to submit the creature who bit the subject.
What is the fascination with bats? Many people think, because they eat mosquitoes they are a major player in reducing the numbers of this blood sucking nuisance. This is most unlikely. Why? Although bats eat mosquitoes, they tend not to frequent areas known for supporting these insects. Mosquitoes thrive in marshy fields and live near ponds, lakes, or rivers. In these locales there is plenty of standing water for them to reproduce. Bats on the other hand prefer to dwell in wooded, dry lot areas.
For up to date information on a county-by-county incidence of rabies in Michigan visit Michigan’s Official Website: www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases. There you will be informed not only about rabies but a host of other emerging diseases that affect both humans and animals. When you enter the website go to the left hand column and click on: “Rabies”. Again, in the left hand column, select: “Testing Tables & Maps”. Click on: “Maps of Rabies Positive Animals in Michigan”. There you will see a statewide, county-by-county map detailing reported cases of rabies. The site is very informative and is free.
Here is the take home message: Rabies is not a “made up” disease! It is spread only by direct contact i.e. animal bites. If treatment is delayed it attacks the victim’s brain eventually causing death. What is the cost of peace of mind? Isn’t a simple rabies immunization that protects your dog, cat, puppy or kitten, and subsequently your family, well worth the effort? What else can be done to avoid being exposed to rabies? Leave bats alone.
