Rabies. I am from Australia moving to Canada.We dont have it. How likely am I to encounter it?

Question

Im bringing 2 dogs with me and I was wondering what other animals to be wary of and if its common? Cheers

Answer 1

Your chances of getting rabies are small, your chances of encountering an afflicted animal are perhaps significant. Since 1970 there have been only five documented cases of human rabies in Canada. Only 21 people have died from rabies in Canada since reporting was standardized in 1925. The most common source of human rabies is from bat bites.
A number of wild animals including bats, skunks, foxes and racoons are significant carriers of rabies.
Rabies occurs in cattle, with about 150-350 cases per year in Canada, and dogs and cats account for another 60-100 cases per year. About 3,000 Canadians require immunization because of contact with rabid animals each year. The vast majority (60%) of these result from rabid cats and dogs. You will probably be required to have your dogs immunized against rabies and you would be wise to do so even if not required. If you plan to be in a work environment that places you at risk for contact with rabid animals --veterinarians, animal handlers, certain laboratory workers dealing with rabies, workers who have contact with bats or bat caves, forest rangers, conservation officers, wildlife biologists, and certain travellers at high risk--you may wish to be immunized yourself. If you do have contact with a rabid animal there is a post contact prophylactic immunization that will almost always prevent onset of the disease.

Answer 2

In my entire life I have not encountered any. However some animals can carry it without getting sick. Skunks are one example. Get your pets a rabies vaccine. It is not 100% effective but it really lessens their chances of getting sick. Most humans are infected when their pet becomes infected and then bites them. It can only be spread through bodily fluids such as a bite or blood in a cut. If bitten by a rabid animal there is generally about a 30 to 50% chance of getting the disease. It is always fatal without treatment. Treatment must be administered before symptoms set in.

Predators are the most likely carriers though sometimes other animals will carry it. The most common carrier here in Missouri (USA) is skunks, followed by raccoons and coyotes.
It is a myth that bats commonly have it. They seldom do. Here they usually set out warnings when cases are going around. And oh yes, it seems to be more common in really hot months than in cooler ones.

Answer 3

It can be carried by a lot of animals, squirrels, raccoons, opossums, etc. The best thing you can do is take your dogs in for yearly rabies vaccinations, just to be on the safe side. Rabies is very serious and can even be passed to humans if you are bitten by an infected animal. It is always better to get your animals vaccinated than to have to put them down in the event that they are infected.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

I think the major threat will come from wild animals such as raccoons or skunks and possibly badger. However, if you are not spending alot of time in the wilderness or wooded areas, then the other threat would be from infected domestic pets. I would write or ask the Provincial Police of the area you are going to live.

The country is beautiful and I believe it is quite easy to walk where man has not walked for centuries if at all. The Canadians I have come to know in Ontario are some of the worlds nicest people. I wish you luck in you new location.

Answer 5

Hey! We love Australians over here in Canada, so welcome!! As for rabies, it is mandatory for all dogs (I think cats are exempt) to get a rabies shot every few years. This means that they are unable to get it if they come in contact with an infected animal. Usually the animals that you hear about having it are wild racoons, although other rodents, coyotes or deer could also get it. Get the shot, and you're good to go.

Answer 6

I would think youd have a better chance of getting it in australia then canada. Just don't touch wild animals and you don't have worry about it. Plus they have shots for it if you do get bit.

Answer 7

you have 50 Chance's of getting it

Answer 8

Never touch bats, and don't go into their caves.