Rabies scare in Empangeni
A dog was put down at the weekend after it was discovered that it had contracted rabies
EMPANGENI SPCA issued a stern rabies warning at the weekend.
This came after they were informed of a confirmed case of the viral disease in the Heatonville area.
‘This is the first case in nearly three years.
‘Please ensure that your animals are vaccinated for rabies.
‘Just because the disease is not common at the moment does not mean we can get lax with the vaccinations,’ said Empangeni SPCA Chief Inspector, Roland Fivaz.
Animal put down
Veterinarian at the Zululand Veterinary Hospital, Leoti Morkel, dealt with the case in which a young Jack Russel had to be put down.
‘Rabies isn’t curable, it’s a deadly disease.
‘We had to put the animal down, not only for the safety of other animals but also for the safety of the owners as well as ourselves,’ said Leoti.
Rabies causes inflammation of the brain in humans and other mammals which, among other symptoms, can result in fever and tingling at the site of exposure.
Leoti urged members of the public to get their animals vaccinated, which is a free procedure performed by the state as well as the SPCA.
‘People need to remember that just because your animal is in your yard for the entire day, it doesn’t mean that it cannot get the virus from another rabid animal.
‘It’s quite sad the dog had to be put down, but it is the harsh reality of what it means for any animal that is infected with the virus.
‘If you suspect that your animal might have rabies, get vaccinated first and then take your animal to the vet to get checked out,’ she urged.
Detecting the virus
The following symptoms are associated with the deadly virus of rabies: violent movements, uncontrolled excitement, fear of water, an inability to move parts of the body, confusion, and loss of consciousness.
Once symptoms appear, the result is nearly always death.
The time period between contracting the disease and the start of symptoms is usually one to three months; however, this time period can vary from less than one week to more than one year.
The time is dependent on the distance the virus must travel to reach the central nervous system.
Anyone who suspects their animal of being infected with the virus is being urged to contact Empangeni SPCA or their local vets immediately for assistance.
Empangeni SPCA
Office phone: 071 1744746
Emergencies: 083 4823866
Richards Bay SPCA
Office phone: 035 7532086
Fax: 086 6959085
Emergency only: 073 5514564
Owen Sitole Veterinary College
Office phone: 071 6056844
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