Two cases of rabies were reported in North Monterey County this past week. One of these was in a dog, the other a skunk. It’s been while since rabies killed someone’s pet. But with this news, we know that rabies, a deadly virus contagious to humans, is in our own back yard.
South Santa Clara County reported a horse with rabies in the late-’80s. Several people who handled that horse had to undergo treatment, a series of injections. The horse was euthanized.
Rabies is transmitted by skunks and bats in California, usually from a bite wound. Other wild critters are potentially at risk, including some that are right there in your neighborhood. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), raccoons, skunks, foxes and coyotes are terrestrial animals most often infected with rabies.
There’s a real public health threat with these latest incidences. Any animal that is outdoors, even if for just a few moments, can be exposed to this virus. And it means that if your outdoor pets aren’t vaccinated for rabies, you need to have it done as soon as possible. Finally, if you see a see a skunk or bat, even if it’s one that appears injured or dead, keep your pet away from it. Never handle any of these animals. Call animal control immediately and they will retrieve it and do proper testing for rabies.
Q:
We keep our dog, in our house. He goes outside only once in a while and never goes anywhere without one of us. He NEVER runs free and never leaves our property. So do I really have to vaccinate him for parvo or distemper?
A:
In short, yes. It’s extremely important to vaccinate your pooch to protect him from these two diseases, as well as rabies. Even though he never leaves your property, your little guy is at risk for parvovirus, distemper or rabies. Here’s why.
Parvovirus is passed from an infected animal in the stool (usually diarrhea). Virus particles are heavily concentrated in this poop. If someone steps on ground that has been contaminated with parvovirus, they’ll carry some of the virus on their shoe into their home. This means that you could unknowingly infect your own pet coming home from a walk in the park or elsewhere. Distemper virus particles can be airborne. Even in the safety of your own backyard, your dog could be exposed if another sick dog was nearby. And rabies is carried by bats that commonly fly around during the evening hours as they hunt for insects.
“Homebound” dogs are at risk for all these deadly diseases. Vaccinations are an effective way of preventing all of these from infecting your pet, and it’s a good idea to have your pooch protected.
Q:
Who has a faster heart rate, my guinea pig, Clyde, or my hamster, Fang? I’m guessing Fang does because he’s so mean. Is there an animal that has an even faster heart?
A:
You guessed right, although I’m not sure your reasoning is correct. Guinea pigs have a heart that beats about 250 times per minute. But hamsters? Well, their heart rate is as fast as 450 beats per minute (over seven beats per second!). Funny thing, I can’t seem to count those beats when I use my stethoscope and listen to a hamster’s heart. Who can count to 450 in one minute?
Oh, and who has the fastest heart rate? I’ll bet on the hummingbird who has a heart rate in the range of 1,400 beats per minute! That’s one fast-moving pump inside that little bird’s chest!
