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April 15, 2010
Colorado State University and the Colorado Department of Agriculture are urging livestock and pet owners to discuss animal health concerns, including the rabies vaccine, with their local veterinarian after a horse in eastern Arapahoe County tested positive for rabies.
Animal owners should monitor their animals for symptoms. Local veterinarians can help decide the best course of action to protect livestock and pets from rabies.
According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, in 2009 there were 103 rabies cases in 20 Colorado counties. One of those cases included a horse.
In September 2009, a horse in El Paso County was euthanized and subsequent tests determined the horse was infected with rabies. Public health experts believe the horse was exposed in July 2009 to a skunk on its home property in the Black Forest area.
As of April 12, 28 animals have tested positive for rabies in Colorado in 2010:
Rabies is a viral disease infecting the brain and central nervous system. The clinical appearance of rabies typically falls into two types: “aggressive” and “dumb.” Aggressive rabies symptoms include combativeness, violent behavior and sensitivity to touch and other kinds of stimulation. There also is a “dumb” form of the disease in which the animal is lethargic, weak in one or more limbs, and unable to raise its head or make sounds because its throat and neck muscles are paralyzed.
Rabies can be passed from animals to humans. The best protection from rabies is to keep pets currently vaccinated. Rabies vaccination performed by owners will not be recognized by local public health or animal control agencies for licensing or in the event of an exposure to a rabid animal, so it is important to have pets vaccinated by a veterinarian, the humane society or a local animal shelter.
Rabies is spread primarily through the saliva of a rabid animal when it bites another animal or person. Rabies also can be spread when infected saliva gets into open wounds, cuts or enters through membranes of the eyes, nose or mouth. No cure exists for rabies once symptoms appear although there is a vaccine to prevent the infection.
Dramatic behavior changes are a sign of rabies, for example, wild mammals that show no fear of people and pets; nocturnal animals that are active in daylight; and bats found on the ground, in swimming pools or that have been caught by a pet. Rabid carnivores, such as skunks, foxes, bobcats, coyotes, dogs and cats, may become aggressive and may attempt to bite people, pets and livestock.
In addition to ensuring that pets and livestock are vaccinated properly against rabies, follow these prevention steps:
Colorado State University
Colorado Department of Agriculture
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Colorado Division of Wildlife
Contact: Dell Rae Moellenberg
E-mail: dellrae.moellenberg@colostate.edu
Phone: (970) 491-6009