~~Pages in this section~~

Veterinary Information

The following information includes information of concern for wildlife rehabilitators. Included is information about suggested protocols for various species.

Some information was published in the late 1990's and has since changed or specified vaccines are not available or used.  Consult the CDC website for the most current protocols on rabies vaccines and recommendations. 

Contents:

• Procedures and Guidelines For Wildlife Rehabilitators Who Handle Rabies-Vector Species by Jo Balliet

• Pre-exposure Rabies Vaccine Information by Jo Balliet

• CDC Atlanta, Protocol for Rabies Vaccinations (2008)

Procedures and Guidelines for Wildlife Rehabilitators Who Handle Rabies-Vector Species

by Jo Balliet, LWR
Wounded Knee Wildlife Refuge, Inc.  Tabernacle, NJ

Protocol for working with raccoons:

1. Only pre-immunized handlers should work with raccoons.

2. All raccoons should be considered rabies exposed.

3. Latex examination or household gloves should be worn at all times while working with nursing raccoons. Soiled bedding, bottles and nipples, and soiled housing should be handled with latex gloves.

4. Raccoon litters should not be housed together until such time that killed rabies vaccine inoculation has been boostered; a minimum of three (3) weeks. (See publication #1 of the Pacific Wildlife Project publication list.)

5. Inoculation should be considered at intake, regardless of age.

6. To each litter, assign a bottle/nipple which we carry a number corresponding to the number assigned to the housing tank. (Aquarium tanks are recommended for neonates for many reasons, including ease of disinfecting.)

7. After use, thoroughly disinfect each bottle (externally) with Novalsan Surgical Scrub (while hands are still gloved), dry, encase in a plastic sandwich bag, and refrigerate. If empty, the bottle should be cleaned internally in the normal manner before storage. Sterilize bottles and nipples at least once daily.

8. After care of litter, disposal of latex examination gloves is a must. Latex household gloves shall be disinfected in the manner described above.

9. Do not hold the animal near your face. (Prevents accidental mucous membrane transmission.)

10. Do not place soiled gloves, bottles, or bedding near your face.

11. If unknown mucous membrane invasion is questionable, the use of a face mask and safety glasses is recommended. (One doesn't go scuba diving without the necessary equipment!)

12. Use latex household gloves during all phases of outdoor cage and accessory cleaning. Disinfect gloves frequently.

13. Each raccoon's assigned admission number should follow it from intake to release.

NOTE: Excluding vaccination, these procedures should be applied to all mammal species with the possible exception of squirrels and rabbits.

Unfolding the Mysteries of Pre-Exposure Rabies Vaccines

by Jo Balliet, LWR New Jersey

INTRODUCTION:

Wildlife rehabilitators who work with mammal species should strongly consider participation in a pre-exposure rabies immunization program. As rehabilitators, we are in the "frequent" risk category as classified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Included in that category are rabies diagnostic laboratory technicians. The Department recommends a course of pre exposure rabies vaccine, followed at two years by a serology (serum titer) test and, if necessary, a booster shot. (See BOOSTER DOSE).

VACCINE SUPPLY AND ADMINISTRATION:

The vaccine, manufactured by Pasteur Merieux Serums and Vaccines S.A., Lyon, France, is distributed by Connaught Laboratories, Inc., Swiftwater, Pennsylvania (1-800-822-2463). It is pre-packaged for the route in which it is to be administered; 1.0 ml for IM (intramuscular) injections. There have been reported cases of inadequate protection when the ID route was used. (Pers. conv., Getson, 1989, Nash, 1992.) This could have been the result of improper administration.

Intradermal (ID) injections must be administered between layers of the skin, not subcutaneously (beneath the skin). The vaccine instruction sheet clearly states, "If the intradermal inoculation was not performed satisfactorily (vaccine injected subcutaneously), another dose should be given intradermally at a different site."

When scheduling the ID route of pre-exposure vaccine administration through your primary caregiver, confirm that the vaccine will be given as directed by the manufacturer. Keep in mind that the ID route of administration is for pre-exposure only. The IM injection is effective for pre- and post-exposure but is much more expensive per injection. If unable to acquire the less expensive ID pre-exposure inoculation through your primary caregiver, ask to join the vaccine program of the local health department or a veterinary hospital. If eligible to use a military hospital, contact the communicable disease section of that facility for information. Some HMO programs will cover the cost of the vaccination and its administration.

**NOTE:  Intradermal vaccine was discontinued for use in the USA and Canada.  Some studies as to its effectiveness are currently underway (June 2010)

ORGANIZING A PRE-EXPOSURE VACCINE PROGRAM:

Team up with regional rehabilitators and their volunteers and set up your own vaccine program. Contact the distribution laboratory at the telephone number listed above for a price quote. A donor/supporter of your rehabilitation program may be a medical caregiver who will administer your program or can fefer you to other medical personnel who will donate their services. Or contact an RN in a regional hospital's immunization clinic or ICU. You may be surprised at the cooperation you will receive because you rehabilitate wildlife.

When all participants are signing up and an RN's volunteer services have been confirmed, your will need a volunteer physician to oversee your program and order the vaccine. Collect the cost of the vaccine up front so funds will be available when it's shipped. Finally, if you are ot comfortable with having the vaccine administered at your facility, contact your veterinarian concerning use of his/her animal hospital facility. With the cooperation of our veterinary, our vaccine program begins at 10am on Sunday morning which coincides with the kennel person's presence to open and close the facility. Each participant of the vaccine program is asked to sign a release agreement prior to receiving the vaccine. The release agreement lists the physician, vaccine administrator, animal hospital, hospital owner, wildlife refuge, refuge director, and other agents involved. A parent or guardian must sign for minors. All agreements are witnessed and dated. By By prior agreement with all agents involved, releases are kept on file at the refuge. Along with thank you notes to everyone who donated professional services, a small gift would be appreciated. The cost can be alleviated by rounding off the cost of vaccine per per person up to the nearest $5.00.

IMPORTANCE OF VACCINE:

Pre-exposure rabies vaccine is recommended for the following reasons:

1. Unknown exposure

2. Inability to receive timely post-exposure treatment

3. Reduction in the number of post-exposure injections

• Without pre-exposure immunization:

  a. Rabies immunoglobulin (20 IU/kg BW)

      Day 0 (Divided doses around bite wound and/or in buttocks)

  b. Rabies vaccine (1 ml IM) on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28 in deltoid region of the arm