Once a rabies infection is established, there is no effective treatment and the disease usually causes death.

September is Rabies Awareness Month in South Africa and Sterkspruit Veterinary Clinic is once again offering free rabies vaccinations at its infirmary.

The Animal Diseases Act (Act No 35 of 1984) provides for the control of specific animal diseases and for measures to promote animal health, and all dogs and cats must be vaccinated against the disease. T

his is a viral illness caused by the rabies virus which affects the brain and if left untreated, symptoms will progress and survival is rare. It can be transmitted through exposure to the saliva of an infected mammal.

Transmission: An animal bite or the exposure of an open wound to saliva or infected animal.

Commonly affected mammals: Dogs, cats, bats, cows, horses and wild terrestrial animals like the yellow mongoose, black-backed jackal and bat-eared fox.

READ: Three women killed in GBV incidents within seven days

The risk for pets: This can affect any animal bitten or scratched by wild rabid animals. Unvaccinated pets like dogs and cats, when exposed to a rabid animal should be euthanised immediately, or be placed in strict isolation before release.

Prevention: Eliminating rabies in dogs and cats (household pets), which includes regular vaccinations. When a human has been exposed to the disease, preventive immunisation is advised as soon as possible.

Early symptoms: Fever, headache and general weakness.

Advanced stage: Insomnia, anxiety, confusion, muscle paralysis starting from the site of injury (bite), excitation, hallucinations, agitation, hypersalivation and hydrophobia (fear of water). For more information regarding the free rabies vaccinations, the clinic can be contacted on 013-235-4132. Sterkspruit’s business hours are from 08:00 to 17:00 weekdays and 08:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays. Enquiries: 013-235-4132.

ALSO READ: From Nkomazi, to brawn in the USA