in Llamas and Alpacas Integrated Drs. Stacey R. Byers, Robert J. Callan, and Timothy N. Holt LivLivLivestockLivestock Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University Management

Background and Significance Transmission Rabies Prevention Rabies is a that causes a progressive encephalitis (inflammation of In animals, rabies is transmitted through bite wounds and open cuts in the brain) ultimately resulting in death. All warm-blooded mammals the skin or mucous membranes. The virus is primarily found in the saliva There are NO rabies vaccines approved for use in camelids. including humans are susceptible to this virus. In the United States, of infected animals, however it can be found in other tissues such as The state veterinarian may treat vaccinated camelids as vaccination and eradication programs has eliminated endemic canine nervous tissues. Being in the same area or petting an animal that is nonvaccinated animals which may result in quarantining or rabies so that it is now only maintained in several wildlife species such infected with the is not considered a high risk exposure. euthanizing any exposed animals. as , , , , and .  do not have to be performed by your veterinarian. Rabies is maintained by a carrier species in well defined geographical However animals vaccinated by nonveterinarians may be treated regions, however environmental and habitat changes and human differently by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, the CO movement of wild animals has led to the spread of rabies into previously Department of Public Health and Environment, and/or local health unaffected areas. Over the past several years, Colorado has officers. experienced an increasing number of skunks infected with rabies as their  territory has expanded. rabies has been present in Colorado for Large animal vaccines available: many years. IMRAB 3 or IMRAB Large Animal (Merial, Inc) Defensor 3 (Pfizer) Rabdomun or Prorab-1 (Intervet, Schering-Plough) Follow the label directions for cattle or sheep for administration route and dose. Reported cases of rabies Reported cases of Camelids over 3 months of age can be vaccinated. in skunks, by county, rabies in bats, by Vaccine boosters should be given yearly after the initial vaccination. 2008. county, 2008. The vaccine is not known to cause abortions in other species so we presume it to be safe for use in pregnant camelids. Diagnosing Rabies Infection Based on testing in other animals, the vaccines have been shown to Distribution of rabies in wild animals, 2008. work well at preventing rabies. Currently rabies in animals can only be diagnosed on postmortem Manifestations of Disease examination of the brain. Due to the disease process, antibody titers are Other  Rabies can manifest in several ways, however the disease is typically not helpful to determine if an animal has been exposed or infected with Do not feed or handle wildlife progressive with a worsening of signs over about 10 days. If not rabies. Do not translocate rabies reservoir species such as skunks, raccoons, euthanized, an infected animal will die of respiratory failure. etc. Contact your veterinarian if you suspect Exclude bats from homes, barns, etc. to reduce contact. CLINICAL SIGNS ASSOCIATED one of your animals has been bitten by Rabies virus does not survive for long periods in the environment and WITH RABIES is easily destroyed by soap and water or common household  Nervous or agitated a or is exhibiting signs disinfectants. Vicious unprovoked attacks suggestive of rabies. Hypersalivation, difficulty swallowing Discussion Roaming, separation from the herd Before beginning a rabies vaccination program for your camelids, Unusual sexual activity we recommend that you discuss the pros and cons with your Abnormal vocalizations veterinarian. The risk of exposure is still very low in most areas of Ascending paralysis normally Colorado. beginning in the hind limbs Signs of colic Please contact your Depression veterinarian or the CSU Self mutilation Veterinary Teaching Sensitivity to light Hospital if you have questions. Rabies virus enters through Animals can exhibit any combination of these or other neurological signs. a bite or scratch. The virus Image from the CDC/Dr. Makonnen Fekadu Photo Courtesy Los Angeles County Public Health Laboratory, 2007 . Remember to keep your travels through the nerves Contact your veterinarian if you and observe suspicious neurological to the central nervous system and brain. Characteristic negri bodies The rabies virus is seen as vaccinated too! signs in any of your animals present within a Purkinje small fluorescent clusters  Eventually the virus The signs are nonspecific. Any cell of the cerebellum throughout the sample. animal showing suspicious behavior migrates to the salivary or other neurological signs should glands and is secreted in be isolated so that they may be the saliva. 970-297-5000 http://csuvets.colostate.edu/ observed carefully