Understanding Rabies Virus

September 28th is World Rabies Day, a day to recognize efforts around the world to protect both people and pets from this deadly disease. While rabies is relatively rare in the U.S., vaccinated pets play a critical role in preventing human infections. Prevention is key because once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal, whereas treatment before symptoms develop is nearly 100% effective. Since 1989, Monmouth and Ocean counties have had some of the highest number of cases in the state (https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/rabies_stats/rabcases2025.pdf). Let’s take some time to learn more about this very deadly virus.

Cats are typically the most common rabies cases in domestic pets that are seen in New Jersey, especially feral colonies and indoor/outdoor pets. Just this past May a stray cat tested positive in East Brunswick that was being cared for in an outdoor colony (https://www.nj.com/middlesex/2025/05/stray-cat-tests-positive-for-rabies-after-attacking-nj-resident.html).

Dr. Justine Murray, one of our Urgent Care doctors at City by the Sea Vet Urgent Care shared a heart-breaking story about an abandoned kitten that came in to the ER and was nursed back to health with regular bottle feeding and supportive nursing care. For several days the pet was cared for, but soon became fatigued, lethargic and stopped eating. The kitten soon developed trouble walking and sadly passed. Because of the quick development of neurologic symptoms, testing was performed and confirmed positive for rabies. Over a dozen people that were in contact with this kitten after being licked or inadvertently scratched needed to have post-exposure treatment.

Transmission

• Rabies is caused by a virus from the family Rhabdoviridae (genus Lyssavirus), which resides in the saliva of infected animals. This is why bites from wild animals are the main route of transmission.
• After entering the body through muscle or connective tissue, the virus replicates slowly over days to weeks.
• Bite wounds closer to the head or neck have shorter incubation periods, while bites further away may take longer to show symptoms.
• The virus then travels along nerve tissue into the spinal cord and brain, causing encephalitis (brain inflammation).
• Infected animals often show aggression, anxiety, hyperactivity, and excessive salivation, which are classic signs of rabies – think Old Yeller.
• Once the virus reaches the brain, it progresses to coma and death; symptoms are essentially universally fatal.

Wildlife Carriers

Bats can carry rabies for long periods before dying, which makes them efficient reservoirs. Although studies show that less than 1% of wild bats carry rabies, any contact with a bat is considered a serious risk. This number may be misleading considering most of the time bats avoid contact with humans and outdoor pets. It may be that even “normal” bats may be carriers, but have not been tested in large numbers. Bats have small teeth, and bites or scratches often go unnoticed, meaning exposure can happen without anyone even realizing it. According to the CDC, over 70% of rabies cases in humans come from bats. Other susceptible wildlife includes skunks, foxes, and raccoons, while rodents, rabbits, and birds appear relatively resistant.

Vaccinating Pets Protects People

Rabies vaccination is not just about protecting pets—it’s a critical public health measure. The vaccine is required by law in most jurisdictions for dogs, cats, ferrets, and often horses and livestock. Vaccines are either inactivated (killed) or recombinant (genetically engineered) and are typically given every 1–3 years. Vaccinated pets that are exposed to rabid or suspect animals usually only require a short quarantine or observation period (usually 10 days or less at home).

One of the big challenges of choosing NOT to vaccinate, besides exposure risks, are the quarantine implications. If your pet is unvaccinated and is exposed to a rabies-suspect animal, or has evidence of wounds of unknown origin, the health department may require quarantine, observation, or, in rare cases, testing for rabies, which can only be done after the animal has been euthanized. Pets that are up-to-date on rabies vaccination usually only need a short observation period, helping keep them safe while protecting public health. So, in many cases to avoid this situation, it’s so much easier to vaccinate.

If you or your pet are exposed or even mildly injured by wildlife – immediately scrub the wound with soap and water and seek immediate medical attention. If your pet gets into a fight with a wild animal or another pet, it is important to determine the vaccine status of all animals involved and, if possible, have the wildlife tested for rabies. As always, your vet is your best source of information for your pets!

Questions or concerns? Contact us at City by the Sea Vet or visit our website: www.citybytheseavet.com — we’re here to help keep your pets and family safe.