Brian Triplett: Ag Biz

Like they have for many years, rabid skunks and bats have been making the news in East Texas this spring. Last month, a rabid bat was found in Tyler (the first rabid animal found in Smith County this year). Remember that bats and skunks are nocturnal in nature and when these animals are found roaming around during the daylight hours, they are most likely sick, and possibly rabid.

Skunks and bats are the two animal species which most commonly carry rabies in East Texas; however, any warm-blooded animal can catch the disease and pass it on to humans.

Here are a few tips for helping to keep your family safe from this disease. Last year Smith County had two animals, both bats, test positive for rabies.

Enjoy wild animals from afar (do not handle, feed or intentionally attract wild animals). Never adopt wild animals and bring them into your home. Teach children never to touch unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly. Instruct your children to inform you if they do come in contact with any wild animal. When traveling abroad, especially in the developing countries of Asia, Africa or Latin America, avoid direct contact with wild animals (especially dogs who serve as reservoirs for the disease in other parts of the world).

Keep your pets current on their rabies vaccination (this provides a barrier of protection for your family). Keep pets under direct supervision so they do not come in contact with wild animals. Seek veterinary assistance immediately if your animal is bitten by a wild animal. Contact animal control authorities to reduce the stray population near your home.

Signs of rabies in animals include change in animal behavior, general sickness, problems swallowing, an increase in drool or saliva, wild animals that appear tame, tame animals that may bite at anything when excited and difficulty in moving (or paralysis).

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, the first rule of thumb with bats is not to touch them. Bats have very small teeth and it is possible to be bitten by a bat and not be aware of the bite having occurred. Rabies is transmitted in saliva and you can expose yourself through your eyes, nose, mouth, or open cuts if you have saliva from the animal on your hands and touch your face or an open wound. Only adults, or preferably someone from animal control, should attempt to remove a living or presumably dead bat from a premise. If you have close contact with a bat, it is recommended that you consult with yourdoctor.

Smith County and the cities of Tyler, Lindale and Whitehouse require that dogs and cats be vaccinated annually against rabies.

The 2008 Smith County Dog and Cat Rabies Vaccination Clinics will run from April 28 to May 6 at 21 locations. Please note that some nights of very popular clinics have changed this year so check the date and location of your favorite clinic before you load up Fifi or Fido for a trip to town. Cost is $7 per animal. Please bring correct change for your pets with you to the clinic.

All of these clinics begin at 7 p.m.:

April 28: Mount Sylvan Community Center and Winona High School Agriculture Shop.

Two clinics will begin at 2 p.m. They are May 3 clinics at Colonial Hills Baptist Church and John Tyler High School.

Brian Triplett is the Smith County Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources. He can be reached at 903- 590-2980 or via e-mail at b-triplett@tamu.edu or on the Web at http://tceblogs.tamu.edu/mt/smith or http://smith-tx.tamu.edu.

Brian Triplett
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