College Connection Spring 2023 | Page 4

College Connection | Spring 2023

DO YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO ?

Veterinarians are on the frontline on rabies questions

Veterinarians are often the first to know about a possible rabies exposure of an animal , or even a human . They have a key role in rabies risk assessment and response , and it ’ s important they know what to do .

Do you know what to do if …

Your client suspects their animal was exposed to a rabid animal .

Veterinarians should be the first point of contact for animal owners with concerns about their animals ’ health , including potential rabies exposures . Animal owners who contact Ontario Ministry of Agriculture , Food and Rural Affairs ( OMAFRA ) concerning potential rabies exposures will be advised to contact their veterinarian .

If animals fight and there is no reason to suspect either one has rabies ( e . g . no neurological signs consistent with rabies , no abnormal behaviour , not rabies reservoir species ), then it does not need to be reported . If you suspect a domestic animal was exposed to a rabid animal , the OMAFRA rabies risk assessment flowchart offers guidance . Veterinarians can contact OMAFRA for assistance with risk assessments , sample submission or post-exposure management . Veterinarians can submit a request through OMAFRA ’ s online Rabies response request form . Requests submitted within business hours will receive a response within 1-2 hours . Requests submitted after hours will receive a response the next business day .

Your client informs you that their animal bit a person recently .

A veterinarian must report to the local public health unit , as soon as possible , knowledge of any bite from a mammal or other contact that may result in rabies transmission to a person . A veterinarian uses their professional judgment and knowledge of how rabies is transmitted to assess if there is a need to report .

The virus is found in the saliva of infected mammals and transmission can occur through a bite that breaks the skin , infectious saliva getting into an open wound , or contact between infectious saliva and mucous membranes ( mouth , nose , or eyes ).

Animal blood or urine does not serve as a vehicle for the transmission of rabies virus . An animal ’ s rabies vaccination status , clinical history , behaviour , and current health status does not preclude the legal requirement for a veterinarian to report a bite or other contact that may result in rabies . As a result , even provoked bites from fully vaccinated animals must be reported to public health .

Your patient is showing signs that are suspicious for rabies .

Common signs of rabies in animals include unexplained behaviour changes ( ranging from aggression to unusually friendly to depressed ), progressive weakness or paralysis , abnormal vocalization , and trouble prehending food or swallowing . Be vigilant for signs of rabies in dogs imported from countries considered high-risk for canine-variant rabies , regardless of their vaccination status .

Once signs of rabies appear , the animal will usually die within 7-10 days . If the animal has bitten a person , or has had contact that may result in rabies transmission to a person , this must be reported to the public health unit . If the animal has bitten a domestic animal , this is reported to OMAFRA .

In cases of human exposure , public health units will arrange for rabies testing . The testing would rule out the need for post-exposure prophylaxis in the exposed individuals . If a domestic animal is at risk , a veterinarian can contact OMAFRA for assistance with sample submission for rabies testing , and / or post-exposure management of the exposed animals .

Recently , the Ontario government approved changes to the Health Protection and Promotion Act , Ontario Regulations 557 ( Communicable Diseases ) and 567 ( Rabies Vaccination ), which will come into effect on July 1 , 2023 . Watch for details on the changes coming soon .

Reference

For reference and further information : https :// www . ontario . ca / page / rabies

https :// www . oahn . ca / resources / rabies-risk-assessment-guide /

https :// www . ontario . ca / page / wildliferabies-outbreaks-and-controloperations # section-1

https :// www . ontario . ca / page / rabies-ontario # section-9

https :// www . oahn . ca / resources / rabiesresource-page-for-veterinarians / ( OAHN login required for access )

The College wishes to thank Dr . Maureen Anderson , Lead Veterinarian , Animal Health & Welfare Veterinary Science Unit OMAFRA for her contribution to this article .

Public confidence in veterinary regulation cvo . org 4