Page 35 - Fourways Gardens September 2021

Health & Wellness

excessive salivation, that the animal may have
resulting in drooling. The rabies, and try to either
pupils become dilated, the take a video or photo of
victim becomes irritable the animal. Make a note of
and aggressive, and the location and notify the
there’s a feeling of anxiety nearest vet.
and mental confusion.
There may be nausea WHAT ABOUT TAKING
and vomiting, as well as MY PET ON HOLIDAY TO
headaches and a stiff neck. OTHER PROVINCES?
This will be followed by If you are planning to take
seizures. In the final stage, your furkid on holiday
the victim will sink into a Black-backed Jackal with you, ensure that
coma and die. its vaccinations are up
had been three people in the Cradle of to date before you go – and make sure
TREATMENT Humankind area that had been bitten by you take its vaccination card with you
If a person is wounded by a rabid animal, rabid animals in June/July, he was actually as proof that the vaccinations are up to
immediate treatment is essential. Firstly, quite blasé about the incidents, saying date. This is especially important if you
the wound must be thoroughly cleaned that rabies tends to come and go in cycles. are planning to go to KZN, the Eastern
with soap and water and flushed out Obviously, as I was there to have him give Cape, Mpumalanga or Limpopo Province,
with water for 10 - 15 minutes before my puppy her booster vaccination, he was as the incidences of rabies in these areas
the disinfectant is applied. Then medical quite relaxed about it but I’m not so sure are higher than in Gauteng.
intervention must be sought in the form that the woman with her baby on her back,
of firstly an immunoglobulin injection who was bitten by a rabid honey badger Remember, it is mandatory for all dogs and
administered straight away, followed by a while walking along the Kromdraai road, cats to be vaccinated against rabies. Ignoring
course of rabies vaccinations to prevent the would agree. Fortunately, it was reported this regulation is seen as a public health risk
disease from progressing. that she was treated timeously. and is considered to be a transgression of
the law.
HOW WORRIED SHOULD I BE ABOUT AN DO NOT TRY TO CATCH RABID ANIMALS
OUTBREAK? If you see an animal behaving strangely and For more information, visit: www.nicd.ac.za/
To be honest, when I chatted to our local drooling excessively, do not try to interact rabies-reported-from-west-rand-gauteng-
vet about the NICD’s report that there with it or catch it. Warn anyone close by province

It is mandatory for all dogs to be vaccinated to prevent the spread of rabies RABIESALLIANCE.ORG

Fourways Gardens • 33 • September 2021