Once the disease has progressed to this stage in domestic animals, the animal will show clinical signs of rabies infection within the 10 day observation period.ДЇor all questions regarding pets or livestock that may have been exposed to rabies, contact the Board at 65. A domestic animal cannot transmit the rabies virus to humans or other animals until the virus is present in the saliva, which occurs at the end of the incubation period. If a pet animal bites someone, it must be confined and observed for 10 days. To help prevent the spread of the virus and to reduce exposure to other animals, the Board places all rabies exposed domestic animals that are not currently vaccinated under quarantine for a period of 45 вЂ“ 180 days. Most domestic animals show clinical signs and die within 3 to 12 weeks. Once a domestic animal is exposed to the rabies virus, the amount of time until clinical signs develop (the incubation period) can range from 2 to 26 weeks, depending on the location of the bite and amount of virus that enters the body. Dogs may show a variety of signs ranging from aggression to difficulty swallowing and paralysis. Cattle may bellow frequently and have trouble walking and swallowing. Most animals show behavioral changes or neurological signs.

Avoid contact with dogs and cats while traveling, especially internationallyД¬ontact the Board at 65 for questions or concerns regarding pet and livestock exposure.Д¬ontact the Minnesota Department of Health at 65 for questions or concerns regarding human exposure.Д¬linical signs of rabies vary depending on the species of animal affected and the strain of the virus.

Hunters and trappers should avoid animals with abnormal behavior.

Do not attract wild or stray animals to your home or yard.

Report stray animals or animals acting unusual to local animal control.

Never leave children alone with any animal.

Do not approach unfamiliar or wild animals teach children to do the same.

Keep strays and wildlife (especially skunks and bats) away from pets and livestock.

Keep dogs, cats, ferrets, and horses currently rabies vaccinated.

There are many steps pet owners and livestock producers can take to decrease the risk of rabies exposure and infection to domestic animals in Minnesota. Less than 15 percent of rabid animal cases reported annually in Minnesota occur in domestic species the most common being cattle, cats and dogs. Species of highest concern include skunks and bats, which are carriers for the virus. Wild animals make up the majority of MinnesotaвЂ™s annually reported rabies cases. The Minnesota Board of Animal Health investigates rabies cases and may quarantine exposed animals to prevent the spread of the virus.В The Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine offers this Rabies Vaccination Guidance Document for veterinarians and the public. Over the past 100 years, there has been a substantial decrease in the number of human rabies cases due to the availability of a vaccine and vigilant surveillance by public health officials.

Furious rabies, in which an animal shows aggressive and vicious behavior.

Dumb rabies, in which an animal acts sick, does not eat and is lethargic.

The virus is most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals that affects the central nervous system causing encephalopathy leading to death.

Rabies Vaccine Serial Numbers