Are All Minnesota Wild Animals Infected with Rabies?

The rabies is a virus that affects only the mammals such as the Saint Paul raccoons, opossums, foxes, and bats. The snakes, fish, and the birds are not mammals, so they will not be infected with rabies. In the US, at least 93/100 of the reported rabies cases are transmitted by wild animals. Raccoons are probably the usual animal that will be infected with the virus. Other animals such as squirrels, groundhogs, mice, and rats may also carry rabies, but it is highly unusual.



Signs of Rabies
Since the virus will directly attack the central nervous system, the rabid Saint Paul creature will often show unnatural behavior. For instance, the skunks are usually docile creatures and will rather flee than to confront dangers. A skunk that is acting aggressively can be a sign of being rabid. Nonetheless, it can also be a symptom of other illnesses. The wild animals that appear too tame or those who are unafraid of the people’s touch can also be rabid.

If we have a nocturnal creature, being active during the day can also be a symptom. Nonetheless, there are different reasons on why an animal will be active at daytime. Bats that can’t fly can also be rabid especially if it shows no sign of injury. Being lethargic and difficulty of keeping their balance can be a late stage of the virus.

Prevention of Rabies
In order to prevent the transmission of the disease, dogs are required to be vaccinated against rabies. It is also currently considered for the other animals such as horses and cats. These animals have the highest possibility to be in contact with an infected wild animal. If you plan on getting your pet vaccinated, you need to talk to your veterinarian to determine the appropriate vaccine. Avoid keeping wild animals as pets since you are exposing the entire family to the health risks. When walking your dog, be sure that they are on a leash.

Exposure to the Rabies
If a wild animal has been exposed to the virus, you should never try to intervene or capture the culprit. The bite should be reported to the local wildlife or animal control department. Once the wild animal has been captured, it will have to go through a series of testing to determine if they are carrier of the disease. Once they turned out to be positive, they will be euthanized.

In case you have been scratched or bitten by a wild animal that shows signs of being rabid, wash the wound at once. You should also notify your doctor to receive proper medical attention. When going to the doctor, you should be prepared since you will have to supply them with the necessary information. This may include the date, location, and the time that you acquired the bite. You will also have to describe the wild animal and the things that you are doing before the attack. The doctor will then tell you about the possible anti-rabies therapy.

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