Rabies on the range

Rabies on the range


When the topic of rabies comes up, it’s often in the context of small animals. But in some locales, increasing numbers of cattle are also contracting rabies — with signs that often differ from those in dogs and cats.

Instead of becoming aggressive, a cow with rabies tends to quiet down. She may press her head against objects, repeatedly posture to eliminate or stop eating. And rabid cattle often emit a distinctive bellow. Other signs include drooling and trouble swallowing, which might prompt a farmer to reach into a cow’s mouth to check for a blockage, thus exposing himself to rabies.

An animal’s behavior alone won’t confirm rabies, but it should be enough to make you — and a veterinarian — suspicious. Most important of all, remember that just as in dogs and cats, there are vaccinations approved to prevent rabies in cattle.

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