It seems as though every week I’m getting a report through my email about another rabies case being found in the Panhandle. So far there have not been any reported in Collingsworth County, but residents should be proactive and take steps to safeguard themselves and their pets. Rabies is a very serious issue for humans as well as pets. Pets should be vaccinated by a veterinarian; this can help to keep your pets safe. Additionally, keep a close eye of pets to ensure they avoid contact with strange animals and monitor them for signs of the virus if they have been out playing with no supervision. Humans can contract the rabies virus by being bit by an animal with rabies or getting the saliva from the infected animal in your eyes, nose or mouth or though open cuts in your skin. If you are infected with the virus it is important to treat the issue extremely serious. Wash the bite with soap and water and put an antiseptic on it to kill germs. Get to a doctor immediately, the doctor will decide if a series of injections to treat the virus is necessary. It is important to warn others of the risk this animal poses- describe type of animal, size, color and locations it has been spotted around. Doing so may help others avoid contact with the rabid animal. The best option is avoiding rabid animals all together.
Signs to look for when determining if an animal is rabid include:
• Change in behavior
• Wild animals that act gentile or tame
• Wild animals that you typically do not see during the daytime being out and about- bats, skunks, raccoons, coyotes
• Animals having a hard time walking, eating or drinking
• Animals may drool or carry their head to one side