RABIES
The number of rabies eases has been on the rise in
Mine Arundel County for the last several years and
has caused great concern among Animal Control and
the Department of Health, It is essential that the public
understand the seriousness of this problem and be
informed as to how to protect their families and pets
from this deadly disease.
Rabies is caused by a virus that attacks the nervous
system of mammals, Pets, livestock, wildlife and
humans may contract the disease. The rabies virus
lives in the saliva of the rabid animal. Once an animal
is infected, the rabies virus travels from the bite site
via the nerves to the spinal cord and brain. The disease
causes convulsions, paralysis and death, Once the
symptoms of rabies appear, death is almost certain,
Treatment is effective if given soon after the bite or
exposure to a rabid animal,
Rabies is most commonly spread through bites
from infected animals. The disease can also be spread
by passing the virus through open wounds, scratches
and membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth,
Once an an nails s been infected with rabies, it usually
r I
ks to several months before signs
require s
of the di as pp a Near the end of this incubation
period
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Animal Bites
Protect Your Family and Pets
IMMUNIZE PETS
Be sure your dogs, cats and ferrets are vaccinated
against rabies and keep your pet’s vaccinations up to
date at all times. Maryland law as well as Anne Arundel
County law requires that all cats, dogs and ferrets be
vaccinated against rabies. For animals under 12
months of age, the vaccination is good for one year.
Over 12 months of age and dependent on the vaccine,
the vaccination is good for three years, as long as the
first shot was given a year before.
OBSERVE THE LEASH IA
Do not allow your pets to roam at large C onfine your
pets to your home or yard and w I them 01 I ash
I oni is th s
nne Arondel Count I , ho
is
-Iso Ic
hI ‘I our - nima wit be e ‘po.e to ra ies
while cn ftned to its prope ty or nd r he <It e
control of i s
ncr,
p
T IAT
-
NT
I
-
R STRAY ANIMALS
Y HUMANS FOR
AT I- S 2 0
vo d contact with wild nima
Do not feed ‘ ater
0
andle he e antmals, If hc -t e In ir d or sic
call An m I ontrol for acc tance, hut d
hanc Ic
Al
‘
trytomac etso to
i
ni
at.
ot 1 animals, ‘v’nifth sa pea fred
wit t kif hreatenedorcon d
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old you-pet
e ralhoor fo o htlfiti nc’ a’y o
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ED
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animal f om coming
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o your a
or oust. o 0 Li e rash or garb ge ying aro
o d but he p a I tras n cans with tighlty
ured
lid, Do
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ts outside or sto e pet food ou side
une
Us tred.
ep oors,
ndows,porchs
sase
nts, at ic chimneys a d outbuildings securec
against a mal a c ‘
ap c i tie 5; seal off atti
opening , fix holes n cre n
-
AVOID S RAYS K WILD ANIMALS
Teach children never to approach wild animals or
strange domestic animals, There is no way to know if
a stray animal has been vaccinated against rabies,
If your pet has been bitten by a wild or stray animal,
contact your veterinarian as well as Animal Control.
Use gloves while handling your pet for two hours
after the s’ild or tray animal contact. Your pet may
need a rabie boost r shot
If you oryour faml y are bl en by a wild or stray animal
or a pet, horoughly wash the wound with warm soapy
water, then dry te wound and apply antiseptic.
MEDI
, C
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
AFTER CON ACT
I nportant to get pros Pt m ic’tl st ention. Either
ct your fund physician or go t the emergency
o n of tI s arest Os al
o e physician may
* sol
i i Animal Control and the Health
ar rts t ‘10-222-7258 o <Ic e mine whether
o -e po u e rahie hot art.
<I he series of
hot f’v ‘accjnation over 28
us he immune
lobulin cause lit I discomfort.
L ARRIVES
U
0
YE UN L
noml s
d,cotsfine
t
a nalifiteanhe
don sa y an without thr
f farther injury. Call
ro mmediat ly 1
n
I
u cannot confine
I e a m I, try to have some
cep i in sigh intil
hc’inma die try o
a be r ppedorconfine .
po
ninalsa dhum ns wa fon hea iml
‘ntan da ag ot
had Thea imals
p
bran ti .ue may en <I <I o tes fo rabies.
-:
‘I’HEIR
Tt
IN WRITING
P
iii e nuna ia - pe get he an - ddress and phone
umb r f U
w i - an
- s veterinarian as
wel s rots oacurr nt he vccination. If the
proof o the vaccination, try to
o
r c n o ro i
obal ‘nfo arts! a o’ h re aniwben the last
vaccin or
s ‘v’ so Is
rt teat on can he made
ot
the
i ar n
h os.ner is unknown,
hve
moefoliw he t mlfrom- aedistance
to ee i it r tu S olne a Ian o ncr can be located.
immediately.
sI
is a on ro for a - istan
I
BAT BITES
B bite s o I
e eported p omptly. Even if you are
00 ure if’ it’ ia ‘kt. place example: you are
I png n a a entofndabatintheroomoryou
ft <I
ha in a room witi ‘in unattended child treat
e I cid
a if -s bite oc urred. If the bat can he
con n
without further contact, do so, then contact
Aol al ,o trol immediately