Rabies

To the best of my knowledge, the information on the report from the Colorado Department of Agriculture that you sent out is accurate and up to date. Skunk rabies has been increasing in Colorado over the last several years and since the Summer of 2009, there have been cases in domestic livestock (cattle and horses). Thus, there is heightened awareness and concern. Although I have heard rumors of alpaca’s or llama’s getting rabies, I do not think that these are confirmed and as far as I know, the rumors of confirmed rabies cases in alpacas or llamas are false. However, llamas and alpacas are still at risk.

Dr. Stacey Byers has prepared a poster on Rabies that we will have at the GWAS. The area of greatest concern right now is in the counties that are seeing the cases, particularly Elbert county. I think that all llama and alpaca owners should consider vaccinating their animals for rabies, particularly if they have observed or smelled skunks in the area. There are no rabies vaccines currently labeled for llamas and alpacas. So, even if you vaccinate, the animals will likely be quarantined if there is documented exposure to a rabid animal. However, the available rabies vaccines are likely to provide some degree of protection even if they have not been tested in llamas and alpacas. The vaccines that we are recommending for use in llamas or alpacas are IMRAB 3 or IMRAB Large Animal (Merial, Inc. but currently not available), Defensor 3 (Pfizer), Rabdomun or Prorab-1 (Intervet, Schering-Plough). All of these vaccines are labeled for cattle or sheep. The recommended dosing and administration is the same as for cattle or sheep and starts with an initial 2ml vaccination any time after 3 months of age followed with annual boosters. The route is IM for all of the vaccines, however, IMRAB is also labeled for SQ administration.

As far as rabies vaccine safety goes, there is no specific information. Llama and alpaca owners on the east coast and other areas of the U.S. have been vaccinating their animals for many years and no problems specific to the rabies vaccine have been reported to the best of my knowledge.

You can share this information with the RMLA. I also attached a question/answer sheet that I used for a radio interview last October. This information is mostly accurate other than there have been more reported cases in horses since that time.

Robert J. Callan, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVIM

Service Head, Livestock Medicine and Surgery

Department of Clinical Sciences

Colorado State University

Fort Collins, CO 80523

Previously, the main reservoir for rabies in Colorado was bats. Livestock generally don’t have much interaction with bats so the rabies risk was very low. However, over the last 1 to 2 years we have seen a dramatic increase in skunk rabies in Colorado. This year, it has become a particular concern around El Paso county. A rabid skunk is more likely to interact with pets and livestock than bats and can bite them, spreading rabies.

Yes, in September there was a case of rabies in a horse near Black Forest and a case in a cow near Calhan, Colorado. Both cases are believed to have been caused by skunk rabies.

Rabies causes a central neurological disease so the primary signs are abnormal behavior or abnormal movement. Any change in the behavior of an animal from being more friendly, to more aggressive could be an early indication of rabies. As the disease progresses, they may show changes in their movement, they may seem lame or become uncoordinated. While drooling is classically associated with rabies, it is not always seen. The disease has a steady progression until the animal becomes recumbent. Death generally occurs within 10 days of the initial signs.

If it is a wild animal such as a skunk, raccoon, bear, mountain lion, bat or anything else, you should contact the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Stay away from the animal and try to prevent contact with your pets or livestock. If it is your pet or livestock, you should contact your veterinarian for an examination.

At this time, rabies can only be confirmed in animals by examining brain tissue. If rabies is suspected and the animal is euthanized or dies, then the head or brain tissue is submitted for fluorescent antibody testing. This test detects the virus in the tissues. The test takes about 1to 3 days for results.

If the livestock are NOT vaccinated for rabies, then the exposed animals are either humanely euthanized immediately or the herd is quarantined for observation for a period of at least 6 months. If the exposed animals have been vaccinated for rabies within the recommended period for the vaccine, then the animals are revaccinated immediately and placed under observation for a period of 45 days.

The best protection is vaccination. This helps prevent rabies from developing in your livestock if they are exposed and thus helps to prevent possible exposure to humans in contact with the livestock. The human contact aspect is particularly important for show animals. Not all rabies vaccines are licensed for livestock so it is important to choose a correct vaccine. If your animals are exposed to rabies, the Public Health Department will require that you have evidence of rabies vaccination so it is strongly encouraged that you work closely with your veterinarian in vaccinating your livestock and that you keep records of what animals were vaccinated. Rabies is a heightened concern in Colorado and it is important that livestock producers discuss rabies prevention with their veterinarian.

Colorado Department of Agriculture

www.colorado.gov/ag

Mark W. Salley, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, (303) 692-2013

LAKEWOOD , Colo. – The Colorado Department of Agriculture is encouraging 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.

“The department would like to stress two very important points,” said State Veterinarian, Dr. Keith Roehr. “One—animal owners need to be aware that rabies is transferring from one species to another and they should monitor their animals for symptoms; and two—local veterinarians are a valuable resource to help producers decide the best course of action to protect their livestock and pets from rabies.”

According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, in 2009, there were a total of 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, a total of 28 animals have tested positive for rabies in Colorado in 2010: 25 skunks (13 from Elbert County), 1 domestic cat from Prowers County, 1 muskrat from Morgan County, and the 1 horse from eastern Arapahoe County.

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 and violent behavior and sensitivity to touch and other kinds of stimulation. There is also 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. Elisabeth Lawaczeck, state public health veterinarian at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment added, “The best way to protect your family from rabies is to keep your pets currently vaccinated for rabies through your local veterinarian, humane society, or animal shelter. 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.”

Rabies is spread primarily through the bite of rabid animals, resulting in the spread of the disease through their infected saliva. Rabies also can be spread when saliva from an infected animal 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. Livestock and pet owners are urged to discuss the vaccine with their local veterinarian.

“Animal owners need to primarily look for any dramatic behavioral changes. That is typically one of the hallmark signs that the animal may be suffering from rabies,” said Roehr.

Examples of unusual behavior include: 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, residents are encouraged to follow these prevention steps: