Skunk population leads to increase of rabies

Have you noticed an increase in dead skunks on the side of the road this year? The weather has been very conducive to the efficient reproduction of skunks. Due to this increase in population of skunks, there is a natural increase in the number of rabies cases in East Texas.  Most of the skunks on the side of the road would test positive for rabies. The safest course when you see a skunk is to treat it as if it were rabid.

At Canton Veterinary Clinic, we have sent several skunks off for rabies testing this year and almost all have been positive for the Rabies virus.

About two weeks ago, a pet dog was brought in displaying symptoms of sickness and vomiting. The dog eventually bit the owner and the owner’s daughter. The dog was tested for rabies and the test came back positive.

Due to the rabies virus exposure, the owner and daughter and one veterinarian at Canton Vet Clinic had to take post-exposure treatment. The treatment is not only painful and dangerous, but also very expensive. This was the second rabies-positive pet seen at Canton Vet Clinic.

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