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Hoogland Dierekliniek September 2016
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Rabies on the Rampage!
So, we have again reached September, our Rabies awareness month, and despite the best efforts of vets and the Department of Agriculture, we are still getting Rabies outbreaks, some of which have been practically on our doorstep. In May 2016 Rabies was confirmed in 3 separate cases – 2 jackal in Lanseria and 1 in Muldersdrift. One case of Rabies in a dog was confirmed on Friday 3 June 2016 in Muldersdrift near to where the rabid jackal was found. There were also a number of confirmed cases in 2015, all in domestic dogs! Isn’t this frightening?!
 
Bites from dogs and other animals are common enough around here, so when is a bite considered to be a risk for Rabies?
  1. Licking of the mouth, eyes and nose as well as bites or scratches from wild animals that seem unusually tame.
  2. Bites that seem unprovoked.
  3. Bites from stray animals.
  4. Bites from animals that are clearly unwell.
  5. Bites from unusually aggressive domestic animals.
If you have been bitten or had contact with a stray animal, or a domestic animal that is behaving strangely, follow these steps:
  • Wash the wound with clean, running water and soap for at least 10 minutes.
  • Apply an antiseptic ethanol or iodine.
  • Immediately consult a doctor or clinic for treatment and advice.
  • Consult your nearest state veterinarian or animal clinic.
 
What happens next?
The state vet takes over all suspected Rabies cases and demands proof of Rabies vaccination from the owner of the animal. Should the owner be unable to provide these documents and the animal displays symptoms, it will be euthanized along with all other in-contact animals and tested in the lab for Rabies. In the meantime the exposed person will start on post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Should the animal’s brain test negative for rabies, PEP will be stopped, but if positive then PEP will continue.

When there is record and proof of vaccination, the animal in question will receive another vaccination on day 1 and 3, and the in-contact animals will be quarantined.

In a possible outbreak, a large, circular area surrounding the case will be protected by vaccinating animals, forming a “immune barrier” for the outer areas. If the case is confirmed to be Rabies, additional vaccination campaigns will also be run in the affected and surrounding areas.
In comparison with diseases like Bubonic plague or Smallpox in humans, or Rinderpest and anthrax in animals, Rabies has never caused such massive numbers of deaths. It is the combination of the horrendous manifestation of the disease and inability to treat infected individuals that makes it compulsory to prevent this disease.
 
The only way to protect your families and pets is to vaccinate your pets. It is required by law and is a part of responsible pet ownership.

Chewy cat treats!
 
You will need: 
  • 1 Large egg
  • 1 tin wet cat food or fish
  • 1/4 cup coarsely chopped parsley
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 1 cup brown rice flour
  • 1/2 cup cooked rice

Other things you might add other treats like : 1 tablespoon of catnip or a hearty tablespoon of extra wet cat food.

Place a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat oven to 180 degrees C.  Line a baking sheet with baking paper and set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together egg, wet cat food, parsley, olive oil,  and water.  Mix in the brown rice flour and cooked rice. The mixture will be thick but spreadable.

Spread mixture onto prepared baking sheet creating a rectangle that is about 8mm thick.  Bake for 12 to 15 minutes.

Remove from the oven.  When cool enough to handle, slice the soft dough into bite-sized pieces.  Return pieces to the oven to bake for another 8 minutes.  
Remove from the oven.  Allow to cool completely.  

Who to contact:

  • State vet offices:
    Randfontein - 011 411 4300
    Pretoria - 012 328 5140
    Germiston - 011 821 7700

  • National Institute for Communicable Disease
    (HUMAN EXPOSURE): 
    082 883 9920 (24 hour)
     

  • OIE Regional Rabies Reference Center for Southern and Eastern Africa (Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute) (ANIMALS): 
    012 529 9440/111
     

  • Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Directorate Veterinary Services:012 319 7456
Pine cone bird feeders!


Something different for those who love to bird-watch from the comfort of their own homes!
 
You will need:
Opened pine cones
Wild bird seed
Peanut butter
String
Oatmeal
 
Tie the string to the top of the pine cone so it can hang.
Mix 1 part oatmeal with 1 part peanut butter.
Spoon the mixture into the open areas of the pinecone.
Place birdseed in a flat plate or pie tin.
Roll the pinecone in the seed till the peanut butter is well covered in seed.
Hang from a branch away from the tree trunk (take the pine cone down at night to avoid attracting rodents)
 
Variations:
To attract insect-eating birds , use suet/lard mixed in with or instead of peanut butter. You can also add dried mealworms to the seed mix for them.
To attract fruit-eating birds, push pieces of fruit in between the pinecone “petals” rather than peanut butter and seed.

Other Trusted Resources:
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Hoogland Dierekliniek
6 Panorama rd Rooihuiskraal Centurion
Centurion, Gauteng 1058
South Africa

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Hoogland Dierekliniek · 6 Panorama rd Rooihuiskraal Centurion · Centurion, Gauteng 1058 · South Africa

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