All bite, no bark: Rabies spreads in Wyoming

Your four-legged friend has always been loyal to you. But this summer, they may need your help.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), an outbreak of the deadly Rabies virus is starting to spread in Goshen and Laramie county. As of April 8, 34 animals have tested positive for rabies in Wyoming and 17 dogs have been quarantined or euthanized. The virus could make its way to Carbon County

But chances are, the Rabies virus is already here.

“It’s always present at some low level,” Biff Burton, a local game warden with the Wyoming Game and Fish (WGAF) said. “I have no reports currently, but that does not mean it is not here.”

While most people know Rabies as the disease that causes dogs to foam at the mouth, there is a lot more to the virus than that. Dr. Mary Wood, a state wildlife veterinarian with the WGAF, said that rabies is a fairly common disease.

“It’s a virus transmitted through the saliva reservoir and usually spread by wildlife. It causes inflammation of the brain which can lead to variety of symptoms in animals and humans alike,” Wood said. “It’s a pretty significant disease, it’s on every continent … it’s one of the oldest wildlife diseases recorded.”

One of the largest transmitters of rabies in Wyoming are skunks. However, Wood said that any and all mammals can carry the disease.

“[Rabies] can effect almost all mammals,” Wood said. “There are higher instances in carnivore species like skunks, dogs, humans, etc. There are some cases where moose, deer and herbivores carry the disease, but it’s a lot less common.”

Another major carrier of the virus are bats. Though they are few and far between in Wyoming, thousands of bats reside within the Cowboy state. Wood said that any sighting of a bat can be a threat to your pet and yourself.

“In human cases people who are bitten by a bat do not realize it” Wood said. “You can’t aways feel it and they rarely leave marks. If you see a bat in your house or in a room with a baby in it, seek immediate medical attention and get tested—even if you are not sure if anyone has been been bit.”

The Rabies Virus can have several symptoms, and may not be as easily identifiable as one might think. Wood said an animal may show a variety of symptoms.

“People may see their pets become less afraid of humans, they might have a loss of inhibition or become aggressive,” Wood said. “The most obvious sign is excess salivation because rabies affect the ability to swallow. Other non-specific signs include vomiting, your pets becoming agitative. People don’t realize paralytic form, or what is called the “dumb form” of rabies may just cause your pet to stargaze or be lethargic. Sometimes you will see a pet with rabies have a paralyzed limb.”

“It can come in different forms. Anytime you think your pet seems to be acting odd, it might be a cause for concern,” she added.

Symptoms may take anywhere from a week to a few months to develop. Once a pet enters a paralytic stage, they will likely have to be put to sleep.

But as deadly as rabies is, Burton said that there are a few very simple steps to protect your pet.

“You always need to be on the alert for suspicious behavior in your pet and in wild animals,” Burton said. “It’s as simple as getting your pets and livestock vaccinated. This disease can be controlled through vaccination requirements.”

Protect your pets this summer and contact a veterinarian to keep your pet’s vaccines up to date. Those who see suspicious behavior in wild animals should contact Wyoming Wildlife Services, the Carbon County Predator Management Board or local authorities.