The Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Veterinary Services) is holding a rabies vaccination campaign in Parys on 28 September.
The campaign forms part of the World Free Rabies Vaccination project. It was initially planned for July but was post- poned due to Covid-19 regulations (in terms of the Disaster Management Act).
The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is, therefore, urging the community to bring their dogs and cats in for free rabies vaccination.
Dogs must be on leashes and cats in bags/cages. Owners must wear masks and adhere to social distancing.
The SAPS will be attending for law enforcement and the Department of Health will help with screening.
Vaccination will be done from 08:30 till 15:30 at the following campaign stations:
* Open space outside the Mimosa Gardens.
* Schonkenville Hall
* NG Parys-Oos in Paulsen Street
* NG Parys Wes in Kort Street
* NG Parys Suid in Delver Street.
Remember, the only way to protect your cat or dog from contracting rabies is through vaccination.
The first rabies vaccination is given at three months, followed by a booster, one to nine months later.
Most veterinarians recommend a yearly rabies booster.
Rabies is considered endemic in SA and, by law, all dogs and cats are required to be vaccinated.
Although you may keep your dog or cat within the confines of your garden, a rabid animal could gain entry into your garden over a wall.
What is rabies?
Rabies is a fatal disease caused by a virus that can affect all mammals, including humans.
The virus is present in high concen- trations in the saliva of infected animals and is transmitted by bite wounds.
The virus replicates in the tissues, subsequently entering the nerve endings in and around the wound. It can travel along these nerves and gain entry into the central nervous system, rapidly spreading to the brain stem and the forebrain.
Typical clinical signs in rabid animals or humans occur once the rabies virus has reached the brain tissue.
Once these clinical signs are noted, the disease is usually at a terminal stage and medical intervention is seldom successful.
The rabies virus can spread to the salivary glands before the infected animal starts to exhibit symptoms of clinical rabies; the disease can thus be transmitted by infected animals that appear outwardly normal.
Signs of rabies in dogs and cats:
Although signs may vary, infected animals may initially show changes in behaviour, like nervousness and anxiety. These symptoms can last for two or three days. They progress to irritability, photophobia (fear of light), biting, snapping, incoordination and seizures.
Some animals may show signs of weakness, incoordination and paralysis, which also affects the muscles used for swallowing.
How can you, your dog or cat contract rabies?
Rabies is spread primarily through infected saliva.
The virus needs to gain entry into the body, thus normally through an injury to the skin.
This usually occurs during a bite wound from a rabid animal. Transmission may also occur if infected saliva comes into contact with open wounds, for example, by licking.
What to do if you get bitten by a rabid animal
Should you be bitten by a suspected rabid animal, the first step is to wash the wound thoroughly with running water and a disinfectant.
You will need to see a doctor im- mediately so that they can begin post- exposure treatment.
Source: Bayer (Pty) Ltd., Animal Health Division www.bayeranimalhealth.co.za.