Dateline: June 28, 2007

Health officials worn of rabies in cats

Local health officials are warning Donley County residents to stay away from stray cats after a confirmed case of rabies here last week.

Dr. Guy Ellis of the Clarendon Veterinary Hospital said a stray cat bit a young girl several times last Wednesday. The cat, which was outside the city limits, was captured and sent to Austin for rabies testing. Positive test results were received Friday.

“The girl could have died,” Ellis said. “It’s pretty scary. It’s pretty rare to see a positive test in a cat.”

David Dickinson, PAC, with the Clarendon Family Medical Center said Ellis’ intuition had saved the life of the girl, whose identity was not released.

“The girl was throwing sticks at the cat, and it bit her several times,” Dickinson said. “You usually don’t test a cat for rabies, especially when the bite was provoked. He basically saved her life.”

Rabies is fatal in humans if not treated immediately, Dickinson said. If Ellis had not insisted on having the cat examined, the girl would not have been treated until it was likely too late.

Treatment for rabies includes a rabies immune globulin shot at the site of the bite and a series of five vaccine injections in any muscle.

Skunks, bats, coyotes, and foxes are always assumed to be carrying rabies. Cats are unusual carriers of the disease.

“I think it would be wise to avoid contact with any stray or unknown cats,” Dickinson said, who urged people to contact animal control if they know of strays. “Any animal bite needs to be treated.”

Ellis also urged people to exercise caution.

“Pay particular attention to stray cats or kittens as well as other animals,” Ellis said, “and get your pets’ shot records up to date.”