Dog in Spalding County tests positive for rabies     

A dog in northwest Spalding County (near the Fayette County line) has tested positive for rabies after being treated at a local veterinary hospital for neurological symptoms.  

The dog died after receiving treatment and was sent to the Georgia Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine for testing. The lab confirmed the positive test result on May 28. 

Kelly Wilson, Spalding County’s environmental health manager, said she urges everyone to take necessary precautions to protect themselves, their families, and their pets from contracting rabies, a deadly preventable virus that spreads most often through the bite of an infected animal.  

Though less common, the virus also can spread when infectious saliva comes in contact with a scratch or open wound (potentially through licking) or in contact with the eyes, nose and mouth. 

The two best ways to avoid rabies exposure are to stay away from unfamiliar dogs, cats, and wild animals, and to make sure pets are current with their rabies vaccinations. Georgia law requires owned dogs, cats, and ferrets to have a current rabies vaccination from a licensed veterinarian. 

Vaccination protects pets from a deadly disease—one they could pass to you, your family members, and other pets. It also protects your pet in case it bites a person, said Seth Woodrow, environmental health director for District 4 Public Health. 

“If your pet bites someone and you can’t prove its rabies vaccines is current, the law may require at least a 10-day quarantine for your pet, or even euthanasia so its brain tissue can be examined for signs of rabies,” he said. 

Several behavioral and physical signs may be possible indicators of rabies, including erratic movements, shaking, stumbling, moving sluggishly or lethargically, or acting aggressive towards people or pets. Other signs can include looking agitated or disturbed, repeated high-pitched vocalization, nervous for unknown reasons, partial paralysis, discharge from the mouth and eyes, or self-mutilation (biting itself). 

However, while animals are tending to their young, sometimes their protective behaviors can be mistaken for rabies signs and symptoms. They may venture out more during the daytime to find food when they normally are nocturnal, for instance, and they may appear bold and aggressive because they’re afraid or they think their babies may be in danger. 

Whether an unfamiliar animal looks healthy or sick, don’t approach it. If it appears to be sick, overly aggressive, or out of character, call local Animal Control or the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division at (800) 366-2661. 

Raccoons are the most common wild animals that contract and pass on rabies, comprising about 35 percent of all animal rabies cases in the U.S. Skunks, coyotes, foxes, bats and feral cats also are known transmitters of the disease. Opossums and rodents are less likely to have rabies but could still pose a threat. 

Report any direct contact with your pet to Animal Control or the Spalding County Environmental Health Office at (770) 467-4230. 

For more information about rabies, please contact your local animal control office, county environmental health office, or visit cdc.gov/rabies. 

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MEDIA CONTACT: Natalie Shelton, 706-302-6707