A raccoon that attacked somebody’s pet cat in Tucker later examined constructive for rabies.
According to officers with DeKalb County Animal Control, the incident occurred on March 13. Officials mentioned {that a} raccoon was killed within the Luxuria Court neighborhood in Tucker after a resident’s cat had been attacked by the raccoon. The pet cat stays alive and wholesome, acknowledged officers.
“Rabies is a disease that affects the brain, and it is usually passed from animal to animal, but can be passed from animals to people,” acknowledged officers with DeKalb County Animal Control. “The virus is spread through saliva, usually from a bite of an animal that has the disease.”
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, “Animals with rabies may show a variety of signs, including fearfulness, aggression, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, staggering, paralysis, and seizures. Aggressive behavior is common, but rabid animals may also be uncharacteristically affectionate. Rabid wild animals may lose their natural fear of humans, and display unusual behavior; for example, an animal that is usually only seen at night may be seen wandering in the daytime.”
There is not any remedy as soon as the medical indicators of rabies seem, acknowledged the American Veterinary Medical Association’s web site.
People who’re uncovered to rabies by an animal publicity could be handled with “vaccines that provide immunity to rabies when administered soon after an exposure,” in accordance with the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. The vaccines should be administered earlier than signs of the illness are current to be efficient, acknowledged officers.
“Georgia is a rabies endemic state, and the virus is present all year long,” mentioned officers with DeKalb County Animal Control. “It is not unusual for the county to report several rabies cases each year.”
Residents ought to be sure that pets are updated for preventative vaccination by their veterinarian and may get rid of out of doors feeding stations and access to rubbish cans, mentioned officers. Additionally, residents are suggested to observe pets and phone DeKalb County Animal Control if uncommon conduct happens.
“Vaccinations are effective in protecting humans and pets from the virus,” acknowledged officers. “Residents are responsible for vaccinating pets every year and registering the tag with DeKalb County Animal Control.”
This marks the primary constructive rabies case reported in DeKalb County in 2024. There had been three rabies circumstances reported in DeKalb County in 2023. Last April, officers with DeKalb County Animal Control mentioned a stray chihuahua that was picked up within the Constitution Road space later examined constructive for rabies; in September, animal management officers mentioned a bat captured in Stone Mountain examined constructive for rabies; and in December, animal management officers mentioned a cat that bit a person a number of occasions within the North Druid Hills space later examined constructive for rabies.
For extra data or to report any animal chew, contact DeKalb County Animal Control at 404-294-2996, from 9 a.m. to five p.m. Monday by Friday, or 404-294-2519 after hours.
