The Sidney herald., 1959-07-15

IdDltS llldu 0OSy
these frightening words carr.
anxiety and may even incite nea
panic!
Fear bred by lack of under
standing is one of the most com
mon causes of apprehension ane
fictional stories Accordingly
there are many twisted stories anc
much misinformation concerning
rabies Admittedly, rabies is a ter.
rible and dangerous disease, bu'
only sound information and fact:
can justify measures to be usec
for its prevention and control Ir
areas where rabies is known tt
exist, almost any animal that ex-
hibits abnormal behavior is Sus-
pected of being rabid. This sup
position, of course, is often false.
Rabies is a virus disease OF
mammals which is transmitted to
fother mammals, including humans,
by bites of rabid individuals. At
ter a rather lengthy incubation
period, symptoms develop and
death follows. Unlike most other
diseases, symptoms appear late
in the infection. When symptoms
appear, the disease has already
advanced to the point where re-
covery is not possible and death
is imminent.
Rabies assumes n of three
forms. According to the North Da-
kOta Fish and Game Departments
disease research biologist, Steve
Richards, these forms are called
dumb, furious, and "interme-
diate.w Dumb rabies is character
lied by paralysis rather than by
symptoms of irritation. The af-
fected animals are listless, and
show little interest in their sur
roundings. This period of duRness
is followed by tremors, paralysis
and prostration. The animals US
ually lie quietly for up to five
days before dying.
The second, or furious type, is
better known because of the spec
tacular behavior of stricken ami
mails. There are three stages II
this form. /. A period of change in
normal disposition. For example,
the animals may become over
friendly or be apathetic to friend
illness, restless, very quiet, or
troubled. 2. In this stage they be-
come excitable and extremely ag-
gressive, and will snap repeatedly
at any object in their paths. They
even suffer self-inflicted bites
during this stage of the disease. A
perverted appetite may cause
them to eat wood, stones, dirt, etc.
Very often they will travel long
distances. 3. This stage is char
by muscular paralysis,
a change in voice, possible SAIL
or frothing at the mouth
and commissions. Lack of coordi-
nation, paralysis and death follow
soon. The duration of these three
stages varies between a to Z Gays,
although inflicted animals have
been known to live as long as II
days. The affected animals may
return to nocmal for a few hours
to two days between stages. These
various behavior patterns may be-
come extremely important in the
accurate posting of animals sus-
pected of being rabid.
The third or intermediate state
S described by the North Dakota
biologist as lacking the letharglc
condition of dumb" rabies and
he econd state of irritablllty, fury
Or excitement evident in the fur
ous'' type. Instead of these char
,cteristics, infected animals dis
,lay a purely defensive nature IN
which they will retreat when at
.acked and will not bite unless
severely pressed. Skunks with this
'orm of rabies will expel scent and
will use their tails for pro-
ection.
The question comes to mind
hen. Gust how does one deter
nine if an animal has rabies In
he case of domestic animals, any
unusual behavior should be
watched and the animals in CUES
ion confined if possible. This per-
cd of quarantine should be for
DAYS. If behavior continues to
Indicate rabies during this time,
veterinarian should be consult
ID. If the quarantined animals
AVE rabies. they will die within
20-day period.
About 800 of most animals
rabies form what are call
d Negri bodies in the brain tissue.
The discovery of these bodies dur
ng a lab exam indicates positive
abies diagnosis. Along with find
ng Negri bodies, another examl-
alton involving the use of mice
5 required. in this test, brain It's
ue or salivary gland taken from
he suspected animals is injected
alto the brain of mice. If the It's
ue is infected, the mice will de-
elop rabies within 7 to 30 days.
)ne can see that since this test
euuires more time, the use of
Tegri bodies in determining ra-
les diagnosis is most important.
tissue Of rabid animals kill
. during the early stages OF in
,ction does not usually contain
'egri bodies and consequently
lust be examined by the mouse
,st and precious time is lost.
Some animal species do not ex-
ibit Negri bodies are red fox,
badgers, and raccoons.
exhibit them quite often,
ut not always.
Obviously. not all animals sus-
ected of being rabid a be quar-
ltined or confined for observa-
on. If it is necessary, then, to
III an animal suspected to be ra-
d DON'T shoot it in the head.
his would destroy the brain It's