Community Chat

[Marp2]

Kitten Exposes 14 People To Rabies

ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. - Fourteen people are getting medical treatment after the Department of Health & Environmental Control said a kitten exposed them to rabies in Anderson County.

A spokesperson for the agency is not saying for now whether it was a stray or domestic kitten, but he did say numerous pets now have to be quarantined.

DHEC said unvaccinated pets exposed to the rabies virus must be quarantined or euthanized.

Anderson veterinarian Dr. Will Stringer said, by the time your pet starts showing symptoms of rabies, it's usually too late.

“If you develop symptoms, that's pretty much the end of the story,” said Stringer.

Stringer said he knows what those 14 people getting treatment for their rabies exposure are going through.

“I actually was exposed at one point in time and had to go through the treatment,” said Stringer. “It's rather painful."

So if you see a stray kitten in your yard, he said you should think twice before you bring it into your home. He said animals can harbor the disease for weeks before showing symptoms.

“From the time they're exposed until they're showing clinical signs could be anywhere from 15 to 50 days," said Stringer.

A scratch, a bite or a lick could leave you exposed.

A DHEC spokesperson said the investigation is ongoing and the agency is not ruling out that there could be other victims.

If you think you've been exposed, the agency said to immediately wash the affected area with soap and water, then get medical attention and report it to DHEC.

http://www.wspa.com/story/26339052/14-people-exposed-to-rabies-in-anderson-co

[tuscaloosa]

Well, I worked as a volunteer at an animal shelter for awhile. I let cats out of their cages, brushed them and just tried to make them less fearful. I gained much satisfaction. I found out that the felines are not given rabies vaccines that are put up for adoption. Only a vet can give these shots so only if an animal is adopted are arrangements made for an outside vet to administer the vaccine. I found this out after I was bit by a cat. Most of the animals end up being put to sleep so it is considered a waste of money to vaccinate the cats before they have found a home.

[okBlonde]

As far as I know, the last documented cat rabies case where I live was in 1984. If I see a stray cat/kitten that needs my help, it won't stop me.

[beastielove]

On 8/22/2014 Indy-Blonde2 said:

As far as I know, the last documented cat rabies case where I live was in 1984. If I see a stray cat/kitten that needs my help, it won't stop me.

And it won't stop me as well!!!!

Sending more very special prayers to your precious kitty, Tiggi.

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All of my children have paws =^..^=

[jaxs mom]

I can't believe that a vet is cautioning people from assisting strays and ferals. I certainly would never give him my business if I lived in his area.

[Madisson]

It seems to me that when we adopted our kitties, they told us that kittens could not receive the rabies vaccine until they were 6 months old. Now that I think of it, they even sent us a reminder at 6 months.

[Tissyanne]

Rabies is rare , very rare, in my part of the country. We do not see wildlife here. I have always helped a defenseless cat or dog, and will continue to do so. I have not nor would I walk away, however I have always exercised caution in handling a stray animal, and will continue to do so.

[kze]

In 2006 a friend's teenage son died after being bitten by a rabid bat. They didn't know what was wrong with him and by the time they found the marks on his neck it was too late. So if you are scratched are bitten by an animal you're rescuing please make sure you can observe him/her for possible unusual behavior. Or even better see a doctor. Dying from rabies is a horrible death. I realize rabies is practically eradicated in the US and was not afraid of it until this happened to my friend's son.

My 13 year old kitty only got her shots for the first 5 years of her life because they began making her sick. Her vet said he wasn't going to be the rabies vaccine police and told me he believed she was protected.