09/05/2026
Rabies.
If you have not yet heard what happened in NC recently, please do your own dive. Scary stuff.
Protect your pets. Once symptoms appear, the virus is deadly. Pets may show flu like symptoms in early stages of the virus. Once it reaches the central nervous system, symptoms may vary based on the type of rabies. Furious rabies symptoms include hightened agitation and aggression with the inability to drink water. Muscle spasms in the throat prevent the animal from drinking. This is why it is often stated that a "fear of water" is a symptom. Salivating is often the result. The animal is extremely thirsty but may experience muscle spasms even at the sight of water. Alternatively, dumb rabies produces drunk like symptoms along with paralysis but does not exhibit the muscle spasms of furious rabies. Rabies will absolutely transfer to humans. If you are scratched or bitten by an animal without proof of a rabies vaccine it is highly recommended you recieve the rabies shots. It will save your life.
Stay safe Virginia. Protect and respect your pets.
