- This is the first canine rabies case in Oakland County that current animal control employees can remember.
- There is no indication that the dog bit the Oakland County resident who found it, however, the resident was exposed to the dog?s saliva.
- Rabies vaccines for dogs are free on Tuesday mornings at the Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center with the purchase of a dog license.
Pontiac, Mich., November 2, 2023 - The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) notified Oakland County Animal Control that a dog found wandering in Detroit and brought to a veterinary hospital in Farmington Hills has tested positive for rabies. This is the first canine rabies case in Oakland County that current animal control employees can remember.
?This rabies case is a reminder of how vital it is for dog owners to have their pets vaccinated to prevent the spread of disease,? said Bob Gatt, manager of Oakland County Animal Control. ?It not only protects other pets but children and adults, as well.?
Rabies vaccines for dogs are free on Tuesday mornings at the Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center with the purchase of a dog license. For more information, go to?www.oakgov.com/petadoption?and click on the dog license tab.
An Oakland County resident found the dog on the streets of Detroit and transported it back to their home where it stayed for three days. On Oct. 25, the dog began displaying neurological symptoms, so, the resident took the dog to Advanced Veterinary Medical Center in Farmington Hills. A veterinarian assessed the dog and determined it should be humanely euthanized.
Veterinary staff then prepared the dog?s remains to be tested for rabies and transferred them to Oakland County Animal Control, who then packaged them for safe transport to the MDHHS lab in Lansing. On Nov. 1, MDHHS informed the county that the dog tested positive for rabies.
There is no indication that the dog bit the Oakland County resident or anyone else who had come in subsequent contact with the dog. The resident, however, was exposed to the dog?s saliva.
?If a person or a pet is exposed to any wild or unknown animal, wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water, then seek medical or veterinary attention immediately, even if the animal was previously vaccinated,? said Oakland County Medical Director Russell Faust. ?The rabies virus is found in the saliva of infected animals and is spread through bites or scratches.?
When rabies is present in the community, it is advised to keep away from unfamiliar animals, especially if they are acting strangely such as having problems swallowing, exhibiting lots of drool or saliva, appearing tamer than you would expect, biting at everything, and/or having trouble moving or are paralyzed.
Follow these simple steps to protect yourself from rabies:
- Have pets vaccinated regularly. This will protect them if exposed to animals with the disease and prevent them from becoming ill and infecting humans.
- Do not handle stray, wild, or dead animals.
- Keep pets indoors, supervise when outside, and always use a leash when walking to limit their exposure to wild animals that may be rabid.
- Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
- Do not leave food or water outside for pets when unattended.
- Keep garbage securely covered, as these items may attract wild or stray animals.
Click this?link?to view an emerging diseases map of Michigan to see where rabies cases have been reported in 2023. To report potential rabies exposure, call the Health Division at 248-858-1286.
More information about rabies including symptoms can be found on the Health Division?s?website?or by contacting Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533 or [email protected]. Nurse on Call is available 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. For up-to-date public health information, follow @publichealthOC on Facebook and Twitter.
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Canine Rabies Farmington Hills PRESS RELEASE 110123 FINAL.pdf
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