IHollieWCollarTagst’s the time of the year to take your pet’s health very seriously as City of Brownwood Animal Control report an increase of wild animals in the area presenting symptoms of rabies.

Brownwood Animal Control Officer Nick Ferguson explained that February through March is the mating season for skunks and one of the reasons for the spread of the disease.

“The more they interact, the more chance they have to spread the disease,” stated Ferguson.  “It is more important to have animals vaccinated now so that the random skunk in your back yard doesn’t spread rabies to your dogs.”

Ferguson reported that they are seeing a lot of raccoons and skunks, not domestic animals currently, which have been presenting signs of the disease.  Area residents are urged to call animal control or law enforcement if they see any animal acting unusual.  In Brownwood, police will respond if the animal control officers are not available according to Ferguson.

It is easier and less painful to vaccinate domestic animals than it is to treat a human.  When human infection occurs, treatment is a series of multiple shots and is very expensive.  According to Jula Hill, LVN at the Brown County Health Department, this series for an average sized adult can cost between $2100 and $2500 (the cost varies due to dosage varying by weight of the patient).

“The last two cases we have treated were bites from stray cats,” stated Hill.  “The patients were trying to help stray cats.  One pulled a can off of the animals head and was bit.”

The biggest warning that Hill gave was to be careful around bats, do not handle sick bats.  Any exposure to bats must be treated.  Hill said it can even be fatal if a person does not receive the series of shots.

According to statistics offered on the Department of State Health Services website, 258 cases were reported and confirmed as animal rabies infections in Texas in 2010.

While these numbers can be eye-opening, DSHS health officials say there are things that you can do to keep from being exposed to the rabies virus.  The most important thing that people can do is to have their animals vaccinated against rabies and keep those vaccinations up to date. There is state law requiring that you have your dogs and cats vaccinated against rabies by a veterinarian.

DSHS also offers this advice:

  • Keep cats and ferrets indoors and keep dogs indoors or in a fenced yard.
  • Spay or neuter pets to prevent unwanted animals that may not receive proper care.
  • Teach children not to play with any animal that they do not know, even if the animal seems friendly.
  • Avoid animals, both domestic and wild, that appear disoriented, fearless or aggressive. Nighttime animals such as bats, raccoons and skunks that are active in the daytime may be sick.
  • Do not touch any wild animal that appears ill or dead. Call your local animal control or local health department for help.
  • Don’t attract wild animals to your yard. Avoid leaving pet food outdoors, and keep garbage in closed containers.
  • Stay away from wild animals, and never keep a wild animal as a pet.
  • Prevent bats from entering the home where they might come in contact with people or pets. If you find a bat in a room with an unattended child, a sleeping person or anyone who cannot reliably say what happened, leave the room, close the door and call your local rabies control or local health department to capture the bat and have it tested for rabies. Do not touch the bat yourself.
  • Have domestic ferrets, wolf-dog hybrids and livestock, especially those that are in frequent contact with humans, vaccinated against rabies.

Rabies is a viral illness that affects the central nervous system. Once symptoms of rabies occur, it is almost always fatal. However, a series of post-exposure shots, if given in time, can prevent rabies from developing.

Humans and all warm-blooded animals can get rabies. You can be infected with the rabies virus through the bite of an infected animal. Though rare, you also can get rabies if the saliva from an infected animal gets directly into your nose, eyes, mouth or a fresh wound.

Rabies is a medical urgency not an emergency, but decisions must not be delayed. If you or someone in your family is bitten, DSHS recommends that you:

  • Wash the wound immediately and thoroughly with soap and warm water. Apply an antiseptic if available.
  • Seek prompt medical care if an animal bites you or you believe that you may have been exposed to rabies.

It is very important to report all animal bites to your local rabies control authority as soon as possible so the animal can be quarantined or tested if needed. A good description of the animal is very helpful if it has not already been captured.

Skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes and coyotes are the most high risk animals for rabies in Texas according to DSHS.  Dogs, cats, horses and cattle are the most frequently reported rabid domestic animals in Texas.