Breaking: Rabid raccoon found in Walton County

A rabid raccoon has been found in Walton County and Bill Wise, director of Walton County Animal Control, is warning people to make sure that their domestic pets are up to date on rabies shots.

“On May 31, 2017, a Walnut Drive resident contacted animal control and said her two cats brought a dead raccoon to the house. Animal Control picked up the raccoon and sent it to the GA DPH rabies laboratory where the raccoon tested positive for rabies,” Wise said. “In cases where domestic animals come into contact with a known rabid animal, the GA Rabies Manual protocol requires a 45-day observation for vaccinated animals. The requirement for unvaccinated animals is immediate euthanasia or 6 months of quarantine in strict isolation. Strict isolation entails housing the animal in a double-walled enclosure.”

Wise said if domestic animals have not been vaccinated, the owner would be responsible for paying for a boarded facility for strict isolation or would have to keep the animals in the home under those conditions or have the animals euthanized, which is what happened in this case.

“This incident highlights the importance of regular rabies vaccinations for all pets. The vaccinations are readily available and affordable through any veterinarian, or at rabies clinics such as the one being held this Saturday, June 3, at Paradox Spay/Neuter Clinic,” Wise said. “The $15 vaccine available at this clinic would make the difference between 45-day observation and euthanasia of the two cats involved in this incident.”

You can check www.paradoxspayneuter.com for more information about the vaccination event this Saturday.

Wise also provided the following information on rabies exposure in animals.

Management of Animals Exposed to Rabies

Any animal potentially exposed to rabies virus by a wild, carnivorous mammal or a bat that is not available for testing should be regarded as having been exposed to rabies.

• Unvaccinated dogs, cats, and ferrets exposed to a rabid animal should be euthanized immediately. If the owner is unwilling to have this done, the animal should be placed in strict isolation (see Definitions, page 45) for 6 months and vaccinated either upon entry to isolation OR 1 month before being released. Animals with expired vaccinations need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Strict isolation should be conducted under the authority of the designated local rabies control agency in which the place, manner, and provisions of the confinement are specified. For example, strict isolation may take place in an animal control facility, or a double-walled isolation pen at home, depending on local requirements. At the first sign of illness or behavioral change in the animal, the local rabies control agency should be notified and the animal should be evaluated by a veterinarian. If clinical signs are suggestive of rabies, the animal should be immediately euthanized and tested for rabies.
• Currently vaccinated (see Definitions, page 45) dogs, cats, and ferrets should be revaccinated immediately, kept under the owner’s control, and observed at home for 45 days for clinical signs of rabies. During the observation period (see Definitions, page 46) the animal should not be permitted to roam freely and should be restricted to leash walks, if applicable. At the first sign of illness or behavioral change in the animal, the local rabies control agency should be notified and the animal should be evaluated by a veterinarian. If clinical signs are suggestive of rabies, the animal should be immediately euthanized and tested for rabies.
• Strict Isolation –(for animal-animal encounters)–confinement of an animal exposed or potentially exposed to rabies in a manner that prevents direct contact with other animals or persons. In most cases, this term applies to an unvaccinated domestic animal exposed to a rabid wild animal; the duration of strict isolation should be six months. Strict isolation should be conducted under the authority of the designated local rabies control agency in which the place, manner, and provisions of the confinement are specified. For example, strict isolation may take place in an animal control facility, or an isolation pen at home, depending on local requirements. At the first sign of illness or behavioral change in the animal, the local rabies control agency should be notified and the animal should be evaluated by a veterinarian. If clinical signs are suggestive of rabies, the animal should be immediately euthanized and tested for rabies and the exposed person notified. Note that the animal should be vaccinated against rabies upon entry into isolation OR one month prior to isolation exit.
• Observation period –(animal-animal encounters) for currently-vaccinated domestic animals (dogs, cats, ferrets, and in some cases, livestock) exposed to a rabid wild animal, the observation period is the 45-day period in which the animal is kept under the owner’s control to monitor for clinical signs of rabies to develop. During the observation period, the animal should not be permitted to roam and should be restricted to leash walks, if applicable. At the first sign of illness or behavioral change in the animal, the local rabies control agency should be notified and the animal should be evaluated by a veterinarian. If clinical signs are suggestive of rabies, the animal should be immediately euthanized.