Rabies IS in Montgomery and Berks Counties

The Montgomery County Health Department receives calls daily from people who were trying to do a good deed by helping an animal in distress only to end up bitten, injured and facing the possibility of having contracted rabies (see our blog to learn more https://www.gilbertsvillevet.com/good-deed-could-have-deadly-reprucussions/).

The most common carriers of rabies in Pennsylvania are bats, cats, dogs, foxes, skunks, raccoons and groundhogs. These are animals we have all seen at one time or another roaming in our yard. Have you ever seen a skunk wobbling around during the day? There is a good chance that it has been infected with rabies. It is a natural human reaction to want to help an animal that appears injured, especially if it is a dog or cat.  However, an animal that is injured will display the same behaviors as an animal infected with rabies.  It is important for people to understand this and avoid contact with wild and stray animals. If you find yourself in a situation where you have been bittern or scratched by an animal, seek medical attention immediately. Timing is vital in these situations because rabies can only be treated before symptoms appear.

May – July of 2014

 – Michelle, Marketing Manager