By Mklk;k Caktiysh Spwctal to th*> Kavpahtuinuck Now* The

By Mklk;k Caktiysh Spwctal to th*> Kavpahtuinuck Now*

The Rappahannock County Health Department reports that* thus tar this year. two animals in the County have been tested and found to be rabid; a fox from the Thornton Gap Church Road/Old Hollow area thought to be the same one that attacked a small dog i the dog later died), and a raccoon from the Aaron Mountain area that is known to have fought with two dogs. There have been several other reports in the County this spring of dogs attacking or being attacked by raccoons.

Bringing pets up-to-date on their rabies vaccines seems like just another chore, like getting County stickers or getting the car inspected, but in those instances when the unexpected encounter with wildlifo occurs, it makes a world of difference to a dog or cat if their rabies vaccine is current. There is currently no effective post-exposure treatment for dogs and cats like there is for numans. so rabies vaccine offers tile only protection available for pets, and in turn the whole family If an unprotected pet lone with no vaccine or an expired vaccine) is exposed, or potentially exposed to rabies, the oidy way to protect everyone else from that pet. which may contract rabies from the encounter, is to euthanize that pet. or strictly isolate that pet for a six month period and wait to see if it develops rabies. Six months is the longest known incubation period for dogs and cats.

On the other hand, currently vaccinated dogs, cats and ferrets that are exposed to rabies will only need a booster injection and a 45 day (much less strict) observation period to protect that pet and the humans in the family respectively, Certain species of livestock can also be protected by vaccines. Only mummuls get rabies; birds. Hah. reptiles, and amphibians do not.

Rabies is “endemic* to the