This week’s story is about rabies… It was reported recently that a baby was bitten by a large rat, resulting in the tragic death of the child. It struck me as out of character for a small, normally timid creature to attack with such viciousness as to inflict a fatal wound. This made me wonder whether the rat had not, in fact, been rabid. But we will never know because the rat escaped capture and the symptoms of rabies are only detectable 20 - 60 days after exposure.

Every pet is at risk

Then a chilling thought crossed my mind. Every one of our pets is at high risk of getting rabies - whether we live behind high walls, whether our dogs never leave our properties or whether we live in upmarket neighborhoods … rats go everywhere!

In fact, all mammals are capable of carrying and contracting rabies, including monkeys, rats, mice, moles or any other animal which is warm blooded and ’suckles it’s young’.

Two forms of rabies

Furthermore, it’s not always easy to identify a rabid animal, because there are two ways rabies can present. The ‘furious’ type when the victim is aggressive, combative and vicious. Or ‘dumb’ rabies causing the animal to be lethargic, weak in one or more limbs, and unable to raise its head or make sounds because its throat and neck muscles are paralyzed. In both cases, death occurs within days after symptoms appear.

Sadly there is no cure for infected animals, as the virus travels to the brain, causing unbearable trauma which leaves euthanasia as the only route to take. On the other hand, humans exposed to the saliva/bite of a suspected rabid animal have an excellent chance of survival, providing the correct treatment is immediately received.

Please make sure your pets are safe

By now I hope everyone is checking up to make sure their dogs and cats have valid certificates - in fact it is illegal not to vaccinate your pets every year …. especially now that we are in the grip of a rabies scare.

• Most vets provide a free service for their regular patients while others charge a small fee to cover costs.
• Watch the press for free rabies shots from mobile clinics in your area, or phone your local SPCA.
• And to all the tender hearted folk out there, please do not attempt to touch or rescue stray animals because there is a good chance they are rabid.
• If you detect any unusual change of behaviour in your animals, do contact your vet immediately.
• Please vaccinate your dogs and cats against rabies now - its your duty as responsible pet owners.