Catawba County Animal Services announced they have confirmed the 13th case of rabies in the county this year, according to a county press release.
This time the incident took place in Hickory. Previous cases reported this year by Catawba County occurred in Maiden, Vale, Newton, Hickory, Sherrills Ford and Claremont.
Animal Services responded to a call on Nov. 23 from a Hickory resident whose dog may have been exposed to rabies from a raccoon. The raccoon was sent to the North Carolina Public Health Laboratory in Raleigh and tested positive for rabies, according to the release.
The dog received a booster vaccine following the incident, since it was up-to-date on the rabies vaccine. Per state vaccination guidelines, animals current on their rabies vaccine should receive a rabies booster within 96 hours of possible rabies exposure, according to the release.
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Signs that an animal may be infected with rabies include loss of appetite, irritability and unusual aggression, lack of fear and restlessness, dilated pupils, seizures, trembling and unsteadiness, difficulty swallowing, and drooling or foaming at the mouth.
People who encounter an animal with any of these symptoms should avoid contact with the animal and report it to Catawba County Animal Services at 828-464-7686. Pet owners who suspect their pet had contact with a rabid animal are also urged to call Animal Services.
Rabies is a threat to pets and humans year-round, and the best way to protect pets is to have them properly vaccinated for rabies, according to the release.