Rabies in Animals

Signs and symptoms of rabies in animals can include:

  • Dumb rabies: lethargy (inactive or under-active), self-isolation, paralysis in the hind limbs that spreads to the rest of the body, excessive drooling (frothing), drooping head, sagging jaw.
  • Furious rabies: extreme excitement, aggression, gnawing at its own limbs or body, attacking objects or other animals for no obvious reason.
  • Rabies in bats: Rabid bats commonly lose their ability to fly or fly well. Other signs that bats may be rabid include: wandering around in the daylight; crawling on the ground; or otherwise acting strangely.

The number of wildlife rabies cases in Ontario has decreased by more than 99 per cent since provincial and local rabies control programs began.

  • Ontario was declared to be free of raccoon rabies strain in 2005. However, in 2015/16, several raccoons and skunks in Hamilton, Haldimand County and Niagara were confirmed to been infected with rabies.
  • The last rabid skunk reported in Ontario was in 2016 near Stratford.
  • The last rabid fox reported in the province was in 2009.
  • The most recent terrestrial wildlife with rabies in Toronto was in 1997. In 2008, a puppy with rabies was imported from rural Ontario to Toronto.
  • Although the prevalence of rabies in wild bats is generally unknown, available information suggests the prevalence of rabies positive bats in Ontario is between 2% and 3%.

The risk of rabies varies globally. In countries where rabies deaths occur in humans (especially Asia and Africa), more than 95 per cent of cases are caused by bites from dogs.

Your risk of being exposed to rabies while travelling to another country depends on several factors such as: your destination, the length of your trip, where you stay, your activities and your access to medical care. Treatment to prevent rabies is available worldwide, but it is often difficult to obtain.

If you are planning to travel:

There are a number of agencies that can provide further assistance with animals:

Toronto Animal Services

Contact Toronto Animal Services (416-338-PAWS) regarding stray or domestic animals:

  1. If there has been a bite or scratch to a person or other animals OR
  2. If there has not been a bite or scratch to a person or other animals, but the animal is a nuisance or requires assistance.

Ministry of Natural Resources

Wildlife

Contact the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (1-888-574-6656) if there has not been a bite or scratch to a person or other animals and:

  1. The animal is not exhibiting signs of rabies (if possible allow it to leave the area). Remove anything which may be attracting it, such as garbage, and block off possible denning areas such as under steps, porches, etc.
  2. The animal is showing signs of rabies, immediately contact the Ministry of Natural Resources. If assistance is needed, call 311 or Toronto Animal Services.

Nuisance Animals

Contact the Ministry of Natural Resources (1-888-574-6656) for advice on control options if a wild animal is simply a nuisance or causing damage to your property.

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Contact the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 if a bite or scratch occurs between a suspect animal and livestock or a suspect animal and a domestic animal.

The Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians

The Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians (OAVT) Rabies Response Program (RRP) works towards educating the public about rabies and the importance of prevention through their “Rabies-My Pet’s Protected Campaign.” To learn more about rabies and how it can affect your family, or to find a rabies vaccine clinic near you visit www.mypetsprotected.org

The OAVT RRP also works directly with all of Ontario’s 36 Public Health Units to arrange and complete the collection and shipment of rabies specimens who have had human contact. Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs) are trained and contracted to perform this task.