Rabies, or hydrophobia, is a viral disease that has been feared since time immemorial. This is a zoonotic disease, meaning a disease that is shared by man and mammals alike and can be spread back and forth between them. Treatment is futile in all species once clinical signs and symptoms manifest themselves. Death ensues after a frightful disease process. It has two forms: dumb and furious. In the dumb form, the muscles controlling swallowing are paralyzed, leading to the term hydrophobia, since water cannot be swallowed and many owners think something is stuck in their pet's throat. In the furious form, the infected animal attacks anybody or anything that gets in its path. Rabies is spread through either the inoculation of infective bodily fluids, such as saliva or urine, in a bite wound, cut, or scratch, or absorbed through contact with mucous membranes, such as the conjunctiva of the eye and the lungs. Cave explorers have been infected by inhaling contaminated, aerosolized bat urine in caves harboring infected bats. Generally, we are exposed to this deadly virus by a bite from an infected mammal. I can speak from experience: Eleven people and I were exposed to two rabid bats that were being housed in the bat cave exhibit of a local museum. Fortunately, I discovered the rabies outbreak in time for all of us to undergo successfully the treatment before we became ill. We are required by the Florida Public Health Department to vaccinate our dogs, cats, and ferrets annually. This vaccination is painless and usually confers good immunity to our pets. In reality, these vaccinations are given primarily to prevent rabies in us and secondarily in our pets. Do not take this disease lightly. It is present in the counties around Broward. Below you can read the news release from Broward County's Animal Control Division. Should you have any questions concerning rabies, please contact your veterinarian, physician, the Public Health Department, or Animal Control. Above all, take the precautions as noted below. News Release (September 21, 2000) One Fox and Two Raccoons Confirmed with Rabies Rabies Alert Issued for the City of Parkland Fort Lauderdale-Test results on September 15 and September 19 have confirmed [that] two raccoons were positive with rabies. A fox was also confirmed with rabies on August 1. The State Department of Health and Broward County Health Department issued a Rabies Alert for the City of Parkland. See the following news release about two low-cost Rabies vaccination and License Tag Clinics. Broward County Animal Care and Regulation Division (ACaRD) will have Animal Care Officers walking to every home in the surrounding neighborhood informing residents about the situation [and] proper precautions, and checking on the rabies vaccination and licensing of cats and dogs. The ACaRD will increase surveillance of the area for stray dogs and cats. The State Department of Health, the Broward County Health Department and ACaRD recommend that all residents and pet owners take the following precautions: Avoid contact with wild animals because they could be infected with rabies. Although special care should be taken to stay away from animals that seem to be ill or acting strangely, it should be noted that even some animals which look healthy could be infectious. For the protection of domestic animals and humans, Broward County law requires all cats and dogs 4 months or older to receive a yearly rabies vaccination and wear a county license tag. (Ferrets are not required to have a license tag, just the vaccination.) Rabies vaccinations are available at all veterinary offices, and most sell county license tags. Keep pets away from wildlife, especially at night when wildlife are most active. Call (954) 765-5124 (Central Dispatch) to report any sick or aggressive wildlife. Do not feed any wildlife. Do not leave pet food outside because this will attract wildlife to your yard for a free meal. The last confirmed rabies cases in Broward County occurred in 1997 and 1998 when three rabid bats were reported within a 10-month period. Palm Beach County has reported 55 cases of animal rabies since 1994. Rabies is a serious infectious disease that attacks the nervous system of humans and other warm-blooded animals. There is no cure for rabies. It must be prevented with anti-rabies vaccination before a person or a pet becomes ill. Remember, rabies is almost always fatal after the onset of symptoms. Protect your family and your pets. For more information, call the Environmental Health Office of the Broward County Health Department at (954) 467-4806 or the ACaRD at (954) 359-1313. If you require auxiliary aids for communication, call our office at (954) 359-1313 (voice) or (954) 359-1380 (TTD) before your visit. -Dr. John N. Case, Jr., is the owner of a small-animal practice called The Clinic for Animals, presently located at 5201 N. State Road, Tamarac, Florida. 33319, tel: (954) 739-4500, e-mail Jcase74683@aol.com. NOTE: By May 1, 2001, we expect to relocate to our new clinic at 5462 N. University Drive, Lauderhill, FL 33351-5006, tel: (954) 749-0551 and fax (954) 749-5462. The e-mail address will remain the same.

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