Stephens County kitten tests positive for rabies
Dr. Gary Fambro, a local veterinarian and the Stephens County Rabies Officer, has confirmed that an “outside” kitten that was located about three miles north of U.S. Highway 183 has tested positive for rabies.
The kitten bit its owner, and a positive test was confirmed on Wednesday, May 27, by the Rabies Laboratory at the Texas Department of Health State Services in Austin. At this time, the source of the infection is unknown. The owner has started treatment for the exposure.
Rabies is a preventable disease. The Texas Department of Health State Services recommends that individuals take the following steps to prevent rabies exposure:
- By law, you must have a veterinarian vaccinate your dogs and cats against rabies. Keeping your pets vaccinated protects you and them. Ask a veterinarian about the best vaccination schedule for your pet.
- Restrain your pets; do not allow them to roam.
- Avoid contact with wild animals, dogs and cats you do not know. Do not try to hand-feed wild animals and do not keep them as pets. Do not approach strange dogs or cats.
- Do not touch sick or injured animals. Call and report them to an animal control officer.
More information can be found at https://www.dshs.texas.gov/idcu/disease/rabies.aspx.
“The reason we vaccinate our pets is to protect humans and their pets. People really do need to get their pets vaccinated because (rabies) is close,” Dr. Fambro said.
