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Rabies alert for Lonoke County — Residents reminded to keep cats, dogs current on vaccinations

A family’s pet cat from Cabot has tested positive for rabies by the Arkansas Department of Health.

Rabies has not been seen in Lonoke County since 2002, and that was a rabid bat. In general, dogs and cats that develop rabies in Arkansas get infected by a rabid skunk. The last time Lonoke County had a rabid skunk was in 1996. The cat had not been vaccinated against rabies and only appeared sick the same day it passed away.

According to Susan Weinstein, DVM, state public health veterinarian, “Once we know we have active rabies in a particular area, we want the public to beware and to protect their dogs, cats, horses and livestock with rabies vaccinations.

“This should serve as a reminder to anyone who has pets to make sure they are current on their vaccinations,” Weinstein said.

Changes in Arkansas law in 2010 allow for vaccination for rabies once every three years for dogs and cats with the appropriate vaccine.

All dogs and cats in Arkansas are required by state law to be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. This protects the animal and acts as a barrier between the wildlife exposures of rabies and people, because pets are more likely to be exposed to a rabid skunk directly than people. Any rabies vaccine given by an owner with an over-the-counter product cannot be counted as vaccinated as there is no assurance it was stored or given properly. There is also usually no documentation of a date when the vaccine was given.


The virus also may be spread if saliva from an infected animal touches broken skin, open wounds or the lining of the mouth, eyes or nose. It is most often seen in animals such as skunks and bats. Cats, dogs, ferrets and livestock can also develop rabies, especially if they are not vaccinated.


So far in 2013, the state has had 93 rabid animals (87 skunks, one bat, two dogs, one horse, one cow and now one cat) test positive for rabies. Most years, the Public Health Lab tests around 1,000 animals for rabies and averages 50 positive cases. So far this year the lab has tested over 550 animals for rabies.



How can you protect yourself from rabies?


• Do not feed, touch or adopt wild animals

• Keep family pets indoors at night




Report all animal bites or contact with wild animals to the nearest local health unit. Do not let any animal escape that has possibly exposed someone to rabies. Depending on the species, an animal can be observed or tested for rabies in order to avoid the need for rabies treatment. For more information, call the Lonoke County Health Unit at 501-843-7561 (Cabot) or 501-676-2268 (Lonoke), or Susan Weinstein, DVM, state public health veterinarian, at (501) 280-4136.
