County Shares Importance of Rabies Vaccine After Dog Tests Positive in Farmington Hills
Farmington Hills, MI – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) notified Oakland County Animal Control {that a} canine discovered wandering in Detroit and delivered to a veterinary hospital in Farmington Hills has examined constructive for rabies. This is the primary canine rabies case in Oakland County that present animal management workers can bear in mind.
“This rabies case is a reminder of how vital it is for dog owners to have their pets vaccinated to prevent the spread of disease,” stated Bob Gatt, supervisor of Oakland County Animal Control. “It not only protects other pets but children and adults, as well.”
Rabies vaccines for dogs are free on Tuesday mornings on the Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center with the acquisition of a canine license. For extra data, go to www.oakgov.com/petadoption
An Oakland County resident discovered the canine on the streets of Detroit and transported it again to their home the place it stayed for 3 days. On Oct. 25, the canine started displaying neurological signs, so, the resident took the canine to Advanced Veterinary Medical Center in Farmington Hills. A veterinarian assessed the canine and decided it needs to be humanely euthanized.
Veterinary workers then ready the canine’s stays to be examined for rabies and transferred them to Oakland County Animal Control, who then packaged them for secure transport to the MDHHS lab in Lansing. On Nov. 1, MDHHS knowledgeable the county that the canine examined constructive for rabies.
There isn’t any indication that the canine bit the Oakland County resident or anybody else who had are available subsequent contact with the canine. The resident, nonetheless, was uncovered to the canine’s saliva.
“If a person or a pet is exposed to any wild or unknown animal, wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water, then seek medical or veterinary attention immediately, even if the animal was previously vaccinated,” stated Oakland County Medical Director Russell Faust. “The rabies virus is found in the saliva of infected animals and is spread through bites or scratches.”
When rabies is current locally, it’s suggested to steer clear of unfamiliar animals, particularly if they’re appearing surprisingly corresponding to having issues swallowing, exhibiting a number of drool or saliva, showing tamer than you’d anticipate, biting at every thing, and/or having hassle transferring or are paralyzed.
Follow these easy steps to guard your self from rabies:
- Have pets vaccinated commonly. This will defend them if uncovered to animals with the illness and stop them from turning into unwell and infecting people.
- Do not deal with stray, wild, or useless animals.
- Keep pets indoors, supervise when exterior, and all the time use a leash when walking to restrict their publicity to wild animals which may be rabid.
- Teach kids by no means to deal with unfamiliar animals, wild or home, even when they seem pleasant.
- Do not go away meals or water exterior for pets when unattended.
- Keep rubbish securely lined, as this stuff might appeal to wild or stray animals.
Click this link to view an rising ailments map of Michigan to see the place rabies instances have been reported in 2023. To report potential rabies publicity, name the Health Division at 248-858-1286.
More details about rabies together with signs could be discovered on the Health Division’s website or by contacting Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533 or [email protected]. Nurse on Call is available 8:30 a.m. to five:00 p.m., Monday via Friday. For up-to-date public well being data, comply with @publichealthOC on Facebook and Twitter.
