Rabies
In Wyoming, skunks and bats are the primary carriers of rabies.
To report rabies locally, please call:
Paul Herman at 307-751-1412
Paul Herman at 307-751-1412
As of April 26th, 2024 these are numbers of confirmed cases in:
Bats: 0
Skunks: 5
For up-to-date information for the entire state of Wyoming click here.
Bats: 0
Skunks: 5
For up-to-date information for the entire state of Wyoming click here.
Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The vast majority of rabies cases reported to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) each year occur in wild animals like raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes.
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If You Are Bitten:
It's important to remember that rabies is a medical urgency but not an emergency. Decisions should not be delayed.
Wash any wounds immediately. One of the most effective ways to decrease the chance for infection is to wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water.
See your doctor for attention for any trauma due to an animal attack before considering the need for rabies vaccination.
If you've been in direct contact with any wildlife, unfamiliar animals, or even familiar ones, especially if you been bitten or scratch, talk to your healthcare or public health professional to determine your risk of rabies or other illnesses.
DO NOT depend on the internet to self-diagnose. If you need the rabies vaccination, it should be started as soon after exposure as possible.
It's important to remember that rabies is a medical urgency but not an emergency. Decisions should not be delayed.
Wash any wounds immediately. One of the most effective ways to decrease the chance for infection is to wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water.
See your doctor for attention for any trauma due to an animal attack before considering the need for rabies vaccination.
If you've been in direct contact with any wildlife, unfamiliar animals, or even familiar ones, especially if you been bitten or scratch, talk to your healthcare or public health professional to determine your risk of rabies or other illnesses.
DO NOT depend on the internet to self-diagnose. If you need the rabies vaccination, it should be started as soon after exposure as possible.
The rabies virus infects the central nervous system, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death. The early symptoms of rabies in people are similar to that of many other illnesses; including fever, headache, and general weakness or discomfort. As the disease progresses, more specific symptoms appear and may include; insomnia, anxiety, confusion, slight or partial paralysis, excitation, hallucinations, agitation, hypersalivation (increase of saliva), difficulty swallowing, and hydrophobia (fear of water). Death usually occurs within days of the onset of these symptoms. The first symptoms may also appear flu-like.
If you aren't certain if you need to consult a doctor after potentially being exposed to an affected animal please click HERE to take a survey to find out. This survey has been put together by the Wyoming Department of Health with more information linking to the CDC.
Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
While most people have a low risk of coming into contact with the rabies virus, there is a small amount who have a higher risk. PrEP is a series of rabies vaccine dose given to people who deal with animals that could have rabies. For more information click HERE.
Rabies Postexposure Prophylaxis (PEP)
This is the medical care you will need to receive if you have been exposed. Click HERE for more information from the CDC.
While most people have a low risk of coming into contact with the rabies virus, there is a small amount who have a higher risk. PrEP is a series of rabies vaccine dose given to people who deal with animals that could have rabies. For more information click HERE.
Rabies Postexposure Prophylaxis (PEP)
This is the medical care you will need to receive if you have been exposed. Click HERE for more information from the CDC.
Symptoms in Animals:
The classic, or "furious," form of rabies may occur in livestock or pets. The animal appears nervous and agitated, or becomes aggressive, attacking other animals and people. However, the main symptom is unusual behavior, which gradually leads to depression or partial paralysis. Cows typically develop a hoarse bellow. Drooling and abnormal swallowing may make them appear to have something caught in their throats. Some animals may only show depression and weakness, or partial paralysis, of the hindquarters. During the course of several hours to a few days, the animal will go down, develop convulsive seizures, and die.
Horses tend to contract a paralytic form of the disease and may initially show abnormal postures with wobbliness of hindquarters, frequent whinnying, unexplained aggressiveness (with kicking and biting), and signs of colic. They may also show lameness in one leg, followed by an inability to rise the next day.
The symptoms seen in rabid animals may be quite variable, making early detection difficult. For these reasons, owners should isolate animals showing suspicious behavior or other signs so they may be observed carefully, and precautions should be taken to avoid injury by them. A veterinarian should be consulted to determine whether rabies should be considered in the diagnosis.
The classic, or "furious," form of rabies may occur in livestock or pets. The animal appears nervous and agitated, or becomes aggressive, attacking other animals and people. However, the main symptom is unusual behavior, which gradually leads to depression or partial paralysis. Cows typically develop a hoarse bellow. Drooling and abnormal swallowing may make them appear to have something caught in their throats. Some animals may only show depression and weakness, or partial paralysis, of the hindquarters. During the course of several hours to a few days, the animal will go down, develop convulsive seizures, and die.
Horses tend to contract a paralytic form of the disease and may initially show abnormal postures with wobbliness of hindquarters, frequent whinnying, unexplained aggressiveness (with kicking and biting), and signs of colic. They may also show lameness in one leg, followed by an inability to rise the next day.
The symptoms seen in rabid animals may be quite variable, making early detection difficult. For these reasons, owners should isolate animals showing suspicious behavior or other signs so they may be observed carefully, and precautions should be taken to avoid injury by them. A veterinarian should be consulted to determine whether rabies should be considered in the diagnosis.
If an animal is acting strangely, please contact your local animal control officer or rabies handler. Here are some things to look out for:
general sickness
problems swallowing
excessive drool or saliva
an animal that is overly aggressive
an animal that bites at imaginary objects (sometimes called "fly biting")
an animal that appears tamer than you would expect it to be
an animal that's having trouble moving or may even be paralyzed
a bat that is on the ground
general sickness
problems swallowing
excessive drool or saliva
an animal that is overly aggressive
an animal that bites at imaginary objects (sometimes called "fly biting")
an animal that appears tamer than you would expect it to be
an animal that's having trouble moving or may even be paralyzed
a bat that is on the ground
Prevention is Your Best Defense!
Vaccinate your pets.
Keep pet food away from wildlife and keep pets protected.
Keep your yard and home clean from trash and potential wildlife habitat.
Report unknown or strange acting animals to Animal Control.
Vaccinate your pets.
Keep pet food away from wildlife and keep pets protected.
Keep your yard and home clean from trash and potential wildlife habitat.
Report unknown or strange acting animals to Animal Control.
You can also help report cases of animal bites or confirmed cases by going HERE to the Wyoming Department of Health website. Please be advised, your local rabies handler will already have this done for you.
More, in-depth information can be found on Sheridan County's Public Health website. Click HERE
Animals suspect for rabies can be submitted for testing to the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory located in Laramie. In most cases, only the head from the animal is required - additional fees may be assessed if the entire animal is submitted for testing.
Because specimen preparation and shipping requirements vary between species of animals, please contact the Lab at 307-766-9925 to obtain the most current procedures, charges & fees, and Lab hours of operation.
Because specimen preparation and shipping requirements vary between species of animals, please contact the Lab at 307-766-9925 to obtain the most current procedures, charges & fees, and Lab hours of operation.
Wyoming Department of Health Emergency Notification Line - For public health emergencies or to report immediately modifiable conditions please call:
307-766-9925 or click HERE |
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