Recent developments have shown it's still necessary to remind pet owners to get their animals vaccinated against rabies.
A cat in Jackson County had to be euthanized last week after it was found carrying a bat in its mouth, said Emilio DeBess, Oregon's state public health veterinarian. The bat tested positive for rabies, as do an average of 10 percent of bats examined in Oregon. The cat was not vaccinated against the viral disease.
Euthanasia is one of two options if your animal has an encounter with rabid wildlife. The other is to vaccinate it immediately and keep it under strict quarantine at home for six months, DeBess said.
So far this year, there have been nine cases of confirmed rabies in Oregon, from bats, foxes and a goat. A lot of people think raccoons carry rabies here. They don't, DeBess said.
Bats are the most common carrier of the disease in the state. With that in mind, it is important to also vaccinate indoor cats, DeBess said. Bats can make their way into homes and be caught by cats. As a precaution, make sure windows and doors are screened – or closed – at night.
The high temperatures that typically hit Oregon for a few weeks in mid-summer can kill or disable old and weak bats, which means free-roaming pets can easily pick them up. Keep an eye on your animals when temperatures rise.
Some people don't want to vaccinate young animals. State and federal regulation mandate rabies vaccinations starting at three months. It's a simple concept that's still ignored by some: "Get your animal vaccinated, and you'll be fine," DeBess said.