Just the mention of the word rabies is sufficient to send panic into the hearts of many people, especially those who share a space with wildlife animals. But knowledge of the disease can help to inform the way we behave around wild animals and lead to a reducing our likelihood of contracting the ailment. Through humane wildlife prevention, Rexdale residents can prevent the spread of rabies among the people and animals that live in areas that are also occupied by wildlife animals.

Rabies: The Basics

Rabies is a virus that is commonly associated with wildlife animals. It is passed on from these animals to human beings and non-wildlife animals. Sometimes domesticated animals such as pets transmit the virus to their owners after first being infected by wildlife animals. Rabies affects mammals as non-mammals (such as frogs and birds) are immune to the virus. In the Ontario area, the main carriers of rabies are bats, foxes, raccoons, and skunks. A few other animals such as bears, beavers, minks, and rabbits are also carriers of rabies in Ontario but infection does not seem as prevalent among them as it does in the species identified as Ontario’s main rabies carriers.

Rabies is transmitted through the saliva of infected wildlife animals. It is passed on to people and other animals through bites that break the skin, ingestion of the infected animal’s saliva through the mouth, open wounds, sores or by getting the saliva into areas such as the eyes or nose.

Signs of Rabies in Animals

An animal that is infected by the rabies virus will show certain signs. One such sign is confusion. The animal may behave in a manner that is uncharacteristic of it. For example, a skunk that approaches human beings or seems unfazed by human presence is likely to be rabid since skunks are naturally shy animals who avoid human contact.

Another sign of rabies infection in animals is spastic movements. If the animal seems to be moving strangely it is an indicator that it is unable to control its muscles, which is another rabies side effect. Sometimes muscle control gets so bad that the animal is immobilized as it becomes paralyzed.

Rabies can also make animals aggressive. It causes them to attack other animals furiously. Perhaps the most disconcerting sign of the aggressive form of rabies is the way it causes the animal to attack its own self. The virus can cause animals to bite or gnaw at their own body parts. It can also cause them to switch between being agitated to seeming depressed.

Rabies is deadly as it ultimately results in the death of the animal if medical intervention is not received in time. The signs of rabies may take months to show but this does not mean the animal is unable to infect others.  Animals that carry the rabies virus can infect others within the ten days that precede the first visible signs of infection.

Preventing Rabies

Naturally, you can prevent yourself and your pets from contracting rabies by avoiding wild animals. This is especially important when the wildlife animals show signs of rabies infection. Dead animals should also be avoided in order to minimize the risk of rabies infection.

You can vaccinate your livestock and domestic animals against rabies infection. If your livestock animals or pets interact with any wildlife animals, be proactive and get expert help immediately.  A veterinarian will be able to intervene immediately to counter any potential exposure to rabies that may have occurred.

Responding to Wildlife Presence on Your Property

Since you cannot tell if the wildlife animal lurking on your property is carrying rabies (remember the infected animal can remain without visible symptoms for months) you should take every step to ensure that your domestic space remains free of all wildlife animals. The best way to get this done is through the services of expert wildlife prevention teams.

For the most effective and efficient humane wildlife prevention services, Rexdale residents can rely on the team at Skedaddle. Skedaddle can help to protect your property from wildlife intrusion by installing exclusion barriers that deny them access to your property. We can also install deterrents that discourage the animals from approaching your space. If wildlife animals have already made their way onto your property, Skedaddle can remove them safely and humanely before installing exclusion barriers.