Dr. Bruce Carstens
Willow Rock Pet Hospital
If you see a rattlesnake in the back yard, chances are you know it is dangerous. Even very young children know to stay away. But the danger is not as clear when your children spot an animal that looks like a cat, or like Pepe Le Pew, the skunk in cartoons.
You should let young children know that it is not safe to approach a strange animal, just as it is unsafe to approach a stranger. An animal which is sick or injured may bite without warning. Tell your child that if they see a strange animal, they should call an adult. The adult can decide if they should take the animal to a local pet hospital, or call animal control.
Remember, a strange animal can be a dog or cat that you don't know. Here's another safety tip: A child should always ask an adult's permission before reaching out to someone's pet, because some animals may not be used to children. A wild animal that is unafraid of people , especially during the day, has a good chance of being sick or rabid. Most cases are in skunks, but bats, foxes, mountain lions, really any mammal can be afflicted.
Every year, Placer County leads the state in the number of cases of rabies found in wild animals. Most counties in California have 2-5 cases per year, while we have 50-60 per year. Rabies has two forms when it is most contagious. There is the "mad" form, where the animal may be aggressive, or drooling, and it is easy to see that you should call animal control. Then there is the "dumb" form, which can be more dangerous, because the animal seems calm or sick, but when startled, may suddenly bite the child which has come too close. Both forms may be seen for two weeks before death, but the disease can be incubated 6- 9 months with no signs.
Remember to keep your dog or cat current on its Rabies Vaccination. Besides being required by law, this will protect you and your family if your pet finds a sick wild animal, such as a skunk or a bat which has flown into your yard. Rabies is always fatal if untreated and is one of the few diseases which can be easily passed among different species including humans. In addition, if your pet bites someone and is not current on its Rabies Vaccination, there is a chance it may have to be euthanized to check for Rabies. A vaccinated pet will more likely only need a short quarantine period.
So you can see there are many things you can do to keep your family safe from Rabies. If you have any questions, simply call your family veterinarian for advice. ********************************************************************* Next month I will address a good summer topic - Flea Control. There are lots of new products out. How do I know which one to use, and are they safe? Send in your Pet-Care Questions: Each month Dr. Carstens will answer your questions about pet care on this page. Dr. Carstens can be reached at 630-9234, or mail your questions to Willow Rock Pet Hospital, 6661-M Stanford Ranch Road, Rocklin, CA 95677.
About the Author: Dr. Bruce Carstens graduated from the University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 1991. He and his wife have been residents of Stanford Ranch since 1992 and have two children at Breen Elementary. Dr. Carstens served the Stanford Ranch area for the past three years, and opened the Willow Rock Pet Hospital in the Food Source Plaza in June, 1997.