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Owners Advised to Consult Veterinarian When Vaccinating Equine Aganist Rabies

Rabies is viral disease of mammals that is reportable in both animals and people.   Georgia statute requires the administration of rabies vaccine by a licensed veterinarian to dogs, cats, and ferrets over 12 weeks of age (Authority Ga. L. Sec. 43-50-3 (A) (G)).  Horses, sheep, and cattle can be vaccinated legally by other personnel, but are considered non-vaccinated if a known rabies exposure occurs unless the vaccine was veterinarian administered and documented.  In the last four months, two horses in Catoosa County, one horse in Walker County, and one steer in Morgan County were diagnosed with rabies, which is a marked increase in the number of rabies cases in livestock in Georgia. Therefore, equine owners are being advised to consult with their veterinarian concerning annual rabies vaccination. Primary vaccination is usually administered at three months of age and then annually. Within 28 days after primary vaccination, a peak rabies antibody titer is reached and the animal can be considered immunized.

A wide variety of clinical signs may be seen in equine.   Early signs are non-specific and may include loss of appetite, lethargy, fever, and colic.   Later signs are attributed to central nervous system disturbance that results in behavioral changes and/or incoordination or paralysis.  Behavioral changes may include excitation, agitation, and unprovoked aggression toward living and inanimate objects.  Animals also can become more subdued than normal and usually friendly animals may avoid interaction.  Paralysis can affect the muscles in the throat resulting in difficulty in swallowing, changes in voice, and salivation. In addition, some animals may experience paralysis of muscles of the head, legs, and trunk.  Equine often have signs that mimic other more common conditions, such as colic, lameness, choke, West Nile Virus, or Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis. Death usually occurs within days of the onset of symptoms.

In Georgia, raccoons and bats are the primary wildlife carriers. Transmission of rabies virus usually occurs when infected saliva of a host is passed to an uninfected animal, primarily through bite or scratch.   Following exposure, the incubation period may vary from a few days to several years, but is typically one to three months.  

Definitive diagnosis of rabies in animals is made by direct fluorescent antibody testing of fresh brain tissue.   Submission of brain tissue for testing must be coordinated with the environmental health section of the county health department.

If you have been bitten by an animal or think that you possibly may have been exposed to a rabid animal, consult a physician immediately.   Health care providers will evaluate each possible exposure to rabies and, when necessary, consult with the Georgia Poison Center or public health officials regarding the need for rabies post exposure treatment.   The Georgia Poison Center offers consultation about rabies post-exposure prevention of disease 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can be contacted by calling (404) 616-9000 in Atlanta or 1-(800) 282-5846 outside of Atlanta.

An information sheet on rabies can be found by clicking on GA RADS on the GDA Website at www.agr.georgia.gov.