Rabies:​
Provention and Treatment
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Prevention is the best protection. There are many rabies vaccines available as well as some undergoing evaluation (Consales and Bolzan, 2006). Leash laws and the removal of unwated and/or stray animals along with vaccination programs help to control the spread of rabies virus (Smith, 1996). Rabies vaccinations are made from inactivated rabies virus so that there is no risk of your pet getting rabies from the vaccine (Smith, 1996). Cats and dogs should get their first rabies vaccination at 3-4 months of age and again every year for the rest of their lives (Drs. Foster and Smith, 1997-2015). A 3 year vacination can be given a year after their second vaccination (Drs. Foster and Smith, 1997-2015).
All unvaccinaed animals exposed to rabies are recommened to be euthinized (Drs. Foster and Smith, 1997-2015). Any unvaccinated animal that is not put down should be placed under strict isolation for 6 months and vaccinated 1 month before being released (Drs. Foster and Smith, 1997-2015; Smith,1996). Tough current vaccination are potent, rabies can still occur in vaccinated animals (Smith,1996). So, vaccinated animals exposed to rabies should be isolated and under observation for at least 45 days after exposure (Drs. Foster and Smith, 1997-2015; Smith,1996).
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There is no treatment for animals with rabies, though rabies prophylaxis is available for people exposed to the virus (Consales and Bolzan, 2006; Smith, 1996).
References:
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Consales CA, Bolzan VL. RABIES REVIEW: IMMUNOPATHOLOGY, CLINICAL ASPECTS AND TREATMENT. J. Venom. Anim. Toxins incl. Trop. Dis. 2007; 13(1): 5-38.
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Smith JS. New Aspects of Rabies with Emphasis on Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Prevention of the Disease in the United States. CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS. 1996; 9(2): 166-176.
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Drs. Forrest and Smith. Rabies in Dogs: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Vaccination. c1997-2015. Available from: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2102&aid=347