October 26, 2017 Message from Arlington Animal Welfare: Raccoons Tested Clinically Positive for Rabies
Arlington County has had two raccoons come back clinically positive for rabies this week. The first raccoon exposure occurred on the 2000 blk N Military Road in the Cherrydale neighborhood. The second raccoon exposure occurred on the 2000 blk 6th St S in the Penrose neighborhood. Both exposures were to domestic pets.
We would like to take this opportunity to remind pet owners to keep their pet’s rabies vaccination current. If you are unsure of your pets vaccination status please contact your veterinarian immediately. The Animal Welfare League of Arlington
hosts low-cost rabies clinics. For more information please visit https://www.awla.org/services/low-cost-rabies-and-microchip-clinics/
Please do not approach wildlife. If an animal appears in distress or injured or you and your domestic pet has had contact with wildlife please contact Animal Control immediately at 703-931-9241. Please keep your dogs on leash while out in the community, including parks, at all times.
About rabies:
Rabies most commonly is spread from having direct contact with the saliva of a rabid animal. Those with potential exposure can be treated with human rabies immunoglobulin and rabies vaccinations to prevent rabies symptoms.
Once a person develops symptoms, there is no effective treatment and the disease is fatal. However, if the rabies vaccine is given before symptoms develop, this will effectively prevent rabies in a person exposed.
If you have questions or believe that you or your pet may have been exposed to wildlife, call (703) 228-5200 Option #1 and ask for the Nurse of the Day during business hours (Monday – Friday 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.) After hours call, (703) 228-5645 and leave a message with your name and phone number and your call will be returned within 2 hours.
Arlington County has had two raccoons come back clinically positive for rabies this week. The first raccoon exposure occurred on the 2000 blk N Military Road in the Cherrydale neighborhood. The second raccoon exposure occurred on the 2000 blk 6th St S in the Penrose neighborhood. Both exposures were to domestic pets.
We would like to take this opportunity to remind pet owners to keep their pet’s rabies vaccination current. If you are unsure of your pets vaccination status please contact your veterinarian immediately. The Animal Welfare League of Arlington
hosts low-cost rabies clinics. For more information please visit https://www.awla.org/services/low-cost-rabies-and-microchip-clinics/
Please do not approach wildlife. If an animal appears in distress or injured or you and your domestic pet has had contact with wildlife please contact Animal Control immediately at 703-931-9241. Please keep your dogs on leash while out in the community, including parks, at all times.
About rabies:
Rabies most commonly is spread from having direct contact with the saliva of a rabid animal. Those with potential exposure can be treated with human rabies immunoglobulin and rabies vaccinations to prevent rabies symptoms.
Once a person develops symptoms, there is no effective treatment and the disease is fatal. However, if the rabies vaccine is given before symptoms develop, this will effectively prevent rabies in a person exposed.
If you have questions or believe that you or your pet may have been exposed to wildlife, call (703) 228-5200 Option #1 and ask for the Nurse of the Day during business hours (Monday – Friday 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.) After hours call, (703) 228-5645 and leave a message with your name and phone number and your call will be returned within 2 hours.
