05-13-08	Paw Prints
	Key Pet and Human Rabies Prevention Strategies from Texas Health Department
	Note: A rabid skunk was reported near Timpson last month by TDSH--please insure your animals are vaccinated! People 1. If a person is bitten by an animal, try to apprehend the animal or see where it goes so it can be caught and either quarantined or submitted for rabies testing.  a. The quarantine allows a dog, cat, or ferret to be observed for 10 days after the bite occurred.  If the animal does not develop signs of rabies during that time, it can be concluded that the animal did not have rabies in its mouth at the time of the bite.  Therefore, the bite victim does not need the series of shots to prevent rabies b. Some species of animals are confined and observed longer than 10 days. c. In some species (skunks, bats, foxes, coyotes, raccoons) the quarantine cannot effectively demonstrate the animal is not rabid.  In those cases, the animal must be submitted for rabies testing 2. Report the bite to the Local Rabies Control Authority (usually local animal control or the sheriff’s office).  The officers may be able to help you apprehend the animal or to assure that it is quarantined or submitted for testing. 3. If someone must shoot the animal to stop the attack or prevent its escape, never shoot it in the head.  a. The brain is the part of the body used in the rabies test.  Shooting or hitting the animal in the head might damage the brain so much that it cannot be tested for rabies b. Refrigerate (but do not freeze) the carcass as soon as possible so it will not decompose to the point that it cannot be tested. 4. In the US, nearly all human rabies is transmitted by the bite of a bat.  A bat’s teeth are so small and sharp that a person can be bitten without realizing it.  Therefore, if a person is hit or comes into contact with a bat, the person should consult with a physician or public health veterinarian.  No bat bite or other contact with a bat is too minor to be reported and evaluated.  If a bat has contact with a person, the bat should be captured so it can be tested for rabies.  Obviously, the person capturing the bat should use care not to be exposed to the bat. Pets Assure that all pets and livestock in close contact with people are always currently vaccinated against rabies. By the way, in recent years there have been more rabid cats than rabid dog in Texas.  Cats can bite and transmit rabies to their owners, just as dogs can.  Therefore, it is important to vaccinate cats, too. 1. If a pet does come into contact with a rabid (or potentially rabid) animal, the outcome could be very serious.  For example, if a skunk comes into the yard and attacks or is killed by a dog, in all probability, the skunk has rabies. a. The pet is at risk of becoming rabid b. Talk with your veterinarian.  The animal may only need a rabies booster vaccination.  However, it may need more extensive follow-up. For more information, contact the Texas Department of State Health Services Zoonosis Control program.  In East Texas, the number in Tyler is 903 533-5260.