RABV causes an encephalitis. There are two presentations of rabies-furious and paralytic, however it is not uncommon for animals infected with rabies to show vague and non-specific clinical signs, and atypical signs are commonly seen.

Atypical but commonly seen signs:

• Erratic behaviour
• Fever spikes
• Licking at the site of viral inoculation, with occasional progression to pruritus
• Pupillary dilation with or without other cranial nerve involvement
• Hypersalivation caused by paresis of the masseter muscle
• False choking- dogs may present apparently choking with no foreign body able to be found. This is due to paresis of the nerves involved in vocalisation and swallowing

Furious rabies

• Changes in behaviour including: hyper reactivity or aggression, or unusual amorous behaviour
• Light sensitivity presenting as attempting to hide in dark corners
• Restlessness
• Roaming
• Hyperactivity – seen more commonly in cats where reports of running themselves to death are not uncommon
• Vocalisation
• Appear to attack or swipe at nothing
• Cage reactivity

Paralytic or ‘dumb’ rabies- the most common presentation

• Ascending flaccid paralysis usually originating at the site of viral inoculation
• Wobbly gait
• Difficulty walking
• Paralysis/paresis
• Stuporous mentation

Death generally occurs 10 days after onset of clinical signs

Please contact the emergency animal disease hotline if rabies is suspected on 1800 675 888.

• Only vaccinated people with titres >0.5IU/ml should handle the animal.
• Prevent mucous membrane exposure (eyes/mouth) by using PPE.
• Wear appropriate PPE, use catch poles or other methods of low contact restraint to minimise risk of significant contact through bites and scratches

Rabies is fatal in dogs and cats. Animals suspected of being infected with rabies should be euthanised humanely.

Submit whole deceased, small domestic or wild animal to EMAI. If RABV is suspected in large animals contact the laboratory for further information on sample submission.

• Do not euthanise by shooting the animal in the head
• Ensure carcase is securely packed (i.e. triple-bagged in a rigid container)
• Submit chilled (not frozen)
• If only parts of the body are available, they may still be suitable for testing (head or neural tissue is best).
• Necropsy of suspect dogs or cats should only be undertaken under laboratory conditions by vaccinated pathologists where brain and salivary gland can be collected for testing.
• If you have adequate vaccine immunity and take recommended safety precautions including use of appropriate PPE, remove salivary glands and submit chilled as well as entire head or brain, divide longitudinally and submit half fresh and half fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a 10:1 ratio of formalin: tissue.

Rabies is spread by contaminated saliva from an infected mammal, usually a dog, having contact with a fresh wound. Transmission is almost always caused by a bite from an infected animal. The virus is introduced to either nerves or muscle where it travels to nerves. RABV travels on average 4 cm per day along peripheral nerves towards the central nervous system.

Exhaled or excreted virus has been implicated in virus transmission where there is low ventilation and large quantities of aerosolized virus such as in a large colony of cave dwelling bats. Rarely transmission occurs via predation of an infected animal.

Infection from salivary shedding can occur prior to clinical signs. Generally shedding of rabies virus in saliva occurs between 1 and 5 days prior to clinical signs and continues until death.

The incubation period averages 3-8 weeks but can up to 24 weeks. Clinical signs are generally seen when the virus reaches the central nervous system.

Rabies kills approximately 59,000 people each year. It is classified as a neglected tropical disease by the world health organisation. 99% of human cases of rabies are due to bites from infected dogs.

Rabies is fatal to humans if post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is not administered in time. If you have come into contact with a dog or other species suspected of having rabies, please seek immediate medical advice.

Information regarding human exposure can be found at: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/rabies-australian-bat-lyssavirus-infection.aspx

If bitten or scratched, proper cleansing of the wound is the single most effective measure for reducing transmission:

• Do not scrub the wound.
• Immediately wash the wound with soap and water for at least 5 minutes.
• Apply an antiseptic with anti-viral action, such as povidine-iodine, iodine tincture, aqueous iodine solution or alcohol (ethanol) after washing.
• If saliva enters the eyes, nose or mouth, the area should be flushed thoroughly with water.

Rabies - WOAH - World Organisation for Animal Health

Rabies and Australian bat lyssavirus infection fact sheet

Contact details for Public Health Units