Rising rabies cases makes pet protection essential
Rabies often conjures images of the movie monster Cujo frothing at the mouth, but that’s not necessarily the case in the CSRA. Locally, raccoons are the top carriers, followed by skunks.
Rabies is a viral disease found in mammals, usually occurring in the wild. It travels from the site of an infected bite through the nervous system until it reaches the brain, causing degeneration and ultimately death. This year has seen a rash of rabies cases across the CSRA. Columbia and McDuffie counties are the epicenter of the local outbreak, but it spans both sides of the Savannah River. In Saluda County, there’s even been a rabid cow.
As with most contagious outbreaks, the key to containment is being prepared. Vaccines are legally required on both sides of the river and are the best option for keeping pets and families safe. [SU1] North Augusta resident Sadie Mishoe is the owner of multiple pets. She said that while once discounted rabies vaccinations were readily available, it’s now getting harder to find low-cost rabies clinics around the CSRA.
As recently as 2017 Augusta Animal Services offered low-cost vaccinations at $5 per shot for rabies at their clinics. They still offer $15 microchips for animals but no longer do low-cost vaccinations.
Traditionally, pet owners have taken their animals to their veterinarian’s office for rabies immunization, there are, however, other options.
Tractor Supply offers periodic Pet Vet clinics on either Saturday or Sunday. The times vary with each location as it is usually the same crew from Pet Vet going to each clinic. A single rabies shot is listed as $37 on the Pet Vet website and the Bobby Jones Tractor Supply location is offering a Pet Vet clinic from 10am to 12pm every Sunday in August.
ShotVet also has several local events coming up in August with packages starting at $159 per animal. This includes several shots – including the rabies vaccination – as well as an exam fee. You can “Save A Spot” at their website www.shop.shotvet.com/find-a-clinic
CSRA Life Saver at 333 Edgefield Road in North Augusta offers the one-year rabies vaccine for $19. This clinic also offers wellness exams, flea and tick prevention, heartworm testing and prevention and microchipping. It’s a walk-in clinic and you can check their Facebook page for updated dates and times for vaccines.
In addition to vaccines, there are a few steps that can be taken to keep your pets and family safe from this deadly disease:
- Don’t let your pets roam free. They are more likely to have contact with a rabid wild animal.
- Avoid feeding your animals outside. This attracts stray and wild animals.
- Teach children not to approach wild animals or any animal they are unfamiliar with.
In addition, report any contact of humans and domestic animals with wild animals to the proper authorities.
If you’re in Aiken County and you believe that you, your family members or your pets have come into contact with an animal that potentially has rabies, call the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services at (803) 896-0620 during normal business hours or (888) 847-0902 (Option 2) at other times. In Georgia you can contact the Columbia County Health Department Environmental Health Section office at (706) 868-3330, Columbia County Animal Services at (706) 541-4077, Richmond County Health Department Environmentalist Health Section office at (706) 667-4234, or Augusta Animal Services at (706) 790- 6836.
