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Austin/Travis County Health & Human Services
...Possible Dog Exposures to Rabies
February 24, 2015
Austin Animal Services and Austin/Travis County Health & Human Services Department have confirmed a rabid dog visited the Zilker Park Dog Park off leash during the dog’s infectious period on February 8, 2015 from 3-6 pm about 50 yards from the sand volleyball courts. The rabid dog was a 9-10 month old black and white Border Collie mix. The dog mainly played ‘fetch’ with the dog owner; but was reported to have possible nose to nose contact with other dogs at the park. The dog did not drink from the park’s watering areas. If you were at the park with your dog during this time and suspect your dog had nose to nose contact with this 9-10 month old black and white Border Collie mix please do the following:
Call Austin Animal Services immediately at 311
Follow up with your dog’s veterinarian for evaluation to see if a rabies vaccine booster is recommended
Rabies exposure: Rabies virus is shed through the oral fluids of an infectious animal. Rabies is transmitted only when the virus is introduced into a bite wound, open cuts in skin, or onto mucous membranes such as mouth, nostrils or eyes.
Rabies incubation period in animals varies. On average it takes 3-8 weeks following exposure for an animal to develop signs of rabies. During this time the virus travels from the initial exposure site along an animal’s nerves to the spinal cord and brain. From the brain, the virus travels to the saliva glands and the saliva. Rabies may be prevented following an exposure through one or more post exposure rabies vaccinations.
Signs of animal rabies:
First symptoms: change in personality, depression, fever and loss of appetite ? Signs progress within days to nervous system abnormalities:
abnormal behavior, aggression, and/or self-mutilation
cranial nerve (dropped jaw, tongue incoordination, difficulty swallowing, excessive salivation) o ataxia (wobbly, weakness, paralysis, seizures)
Animal Rabies Prevention:
Regular pet check-ups with your veterinarian
Current rabies vaccination for your pet
For more information contact:
Austin Animal Services: 311
Austin/Travis County HHSD: 512-972-5555
DSHS HSR7 Zoonosis Program: 254-778-6744
For media interviews please contact Patricia Fraga at 512-974-2969.
This email was sent to: [email protected]
This email was sent by: Belton Small Animal Clinic
2607 N. Main Street
Belton, TX 76513 |
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