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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Are The Symptoms Of Dumb Rabies?

When I started working for a large humane shelter in Denver Colorado, we were given a book to read about Rabies as required reading, because we lived in an area with higher than normal amount of documented rabies cases. And at the shelter we often recieved wild cats that had been trapped. This book spoke about something they called dumb rabies where the animal sjowed no classic symptoms. In fact the dog was very lethargic, and clingy with it s owner. So he never suspected the dog had rabies. The dog never bit the man, only licked and licked his hands and face. The dog did have rabies and infected his owner as well. They both died. Do you have more information about this type of rabies symptoms. I am trying to educate more people where I live now about rabies. I think too many people think you HAVE to be bitten to get them! I have also read about Spelunkers exploring caves with high concentrations of bats in them. And that although it is somewhat rare, there have been documented cases of humans contrating rabies from the bat urine. Mainly when the urine dries on the cave floors and then becomes like a dust. And when the explorers walk through it, the dust becomes airborne and is in the air they breathe, thus contaminating them with the rabies virus. And last but not least, again, somewhat rare, that an animal can become a carrier, and not show any symptoms of the disease, but can still transmit it to other animals and humans. That the rabies virus remains dormant, and in the cases I was reading about, while the dogs were MONTHS into a 6 month quarantine before they could travel from one country to another. Yet they did start showing symptoms and were found to have the rabies virus when their brain cells were examined. Please tell me if these things are accurate so I know I am giving people real and correct information. If you have resourses supporting these cases, could you please send me links to them?? I feel that because the rabies incidents in the USA has been fairly low in most areas for so long, people have started thinking it is no longer a threat to them or their pets. And I truly believe that even though rare, people need to know ALL the risks and facts about rabies, including that once symptoms appear, they are almost always fatal to animals and humans alike! I live in the counrty, 5 miles from a river to our east and a lake 5 miles to our west. And vast prairies all around us. We have reported rabid skunks on our property! And even in the little town 15 miles south from us, people have reported wild animals in their yards, that were sick, or showing symptoms of possible rabies. I feel a real need to educate people in our community! Can you please help me??
Mon, 26 Nov 2018
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Oncologist 's  Response
Hi,

The initial onset of rabies begins with flu-like symptoms, including:
fever
muscle weakness
tingling.

You may also feel burning at the bite site.

As the virus continues to attack the central nervous system, there are two different types of the disease that can develop.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Monish De,
Oncologist
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What Are The Symptoms Of Dumb Rabies?

Hi, The initial onset of rabies begins with flu-like symptoms, including: fever muscle weakness tingling. You may also feel burning at the bite site. As the virus continues to attack the central nervous system, there are two different types of the disease that can develop. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Monish De, Oncologist