A family who moved from Mooketsi to Middelburg noticed one of their dogs started acting strange.
According to the local newspaper, Middelburg Observer, the family took the dog to the local vet and they initially thought the dog had a worm in it’s brain.
The dog showed aggressive behavior and struggled to swallow.
The animal was taken to the SPCA and they suspected it was rabies.
Eventually they euthanized the dog and sent the brain for tests.
The test confirmed it was rabies.
According to the Middelburg State Veterinarian, dr Shepherd Matema, the dog contracted the virus in Limpopo.
Mopani District’s State Veteran, dr Kgabo Letsoalo, said she was not aware of the incident.
She added that Mopani is a rabies endemic area, but that nobody needs to panic because there is no reported outbreak of the virus.
Letsoalo also stated it’s been almost a year since she treated a pet that tested positive for rabies.
Dr Hayley du Toit, who is a veterinarian at Tzaneen Animal Clinic also confirmed that there is not an outbreak.
“Rabies have always been there, but it’s completely preventable,” said du Toit.
She added people have a false sense of security if their pets are in an enclosed environment and all pets should be vaccinated.
Du Toit warned: “You put your family at risk.”
According to du Toit, Tzaneen Animal Clinic had seven positive cases of rabies in the last 12 months.
All of the cases were pets.
The virus is most commonly found in the Haenertsburg area.
Jackals are more prone to carry the virus.
Rabies is a controlled animal disease in South Africa.
The purpose of the article is not to cause panic but rather to remind pet owners that it is important to get animals vaccinated.
