There has been a fourth confirmed case of rabies in a dog in Cape Town as the Animal Welfare Society of SA in Philippi has expressed, after a stray found on Strand Beach recently was discovered to be infected.
“We are subsequently escalating our earlier alert from Amber to Red with immediate effect!” the AWS notes.
According to the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Directorate Veterinary Services, “the dog initially presented to a private veterinary clinic with wounds and a normal habitus, and developed ataxia and a sudden change in behaviour with aggression several days later. It was euthanased and positive lab results were received for rabies.”
Rabies is a vaccine-preventable viral disease and the AWS strongly advises that all pet owners should get their pets vaccinated as soon as possible.
How severe is rabies?
According to the AWS, once clinical symptoms appear rabies is virtually 100% fatal.
When should your pup get vaxxed?
Puppies should receive their first rabies vaccination at 3 months, then a booster within that year and further an annual booster.
The AWS further added that pets owned by indigent individuals will be vaccinated for free by them, and a fee of R50 per rabies vaccination will be levied for all other qualifying patients.