ANIMAL Anti-Cruelty League (AACL) in Regents Park urges the public to take all their dogs and cats over three months of age to their regular veterinarian or welfare hospital to get a rabies vaccination if not received in the last year.
With seven confirmed cases of rabies in jackals and one dog in the north of Johannesburg, caution must be exercised with pets.
Rabies is a fatal disease affecting the brain that is spread through the infected saliva of a rabid animal via a bite, scratch or being licked, in humans and animals. The closer the bite is to the brain, the faster the virus will spread. Anyone bitten, scratched or licked (over a wound/sore) by an animal showing abnormal behaviour signs, should wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water to disinfect the wound then immediately thereafter contact a doctor stating you were bitten by an animal that may have rabies, in order to start treatment.
Abnormal behaviour signs shown in animals include excessive aggression, salivation and being unable to swallow, battling to walk or paralysis. Contact the state vet, local veterinarian or animal welfare organisation should you see an animal exhibiting these signs. Do not approach the animal as wild animals often appear tame, and animals may attack without reason. Teach your child not to approach or handle any animal without the animal owner’s permission and especially any stray or wild animals. Early signs in humans include weakness, headache and fever with advanced signs including insomnia, anxiety, excessive salivation and difficulty in swallowing, a fear of water, nausea and vomiting.
“We would like to thank the chief state veterinarian at GDARD Germiston, Dr Mpofu, for donating 400 rabies doses to us. We will be offering free vaccinations to the public from Monday, June 20 to Friday June 24 from 09:00 to 11:00. Healthy animals over three months of age, will be given their rabies vaccination and terms and conditions apply. We will also be offering this service at our mobile clinics in Thokoza and Zonkeziswe (alternate Tuesdays) and Bellavista and Jackson’s Drift on alternate Thursdays,” explained Cindy-Lee Price from AACL. For more information contact 011 435 0672.
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