Grimsby has had its first confirmed case of raccoon rabies. Lincoln County Humane Society picked up an oddly behaving raccoon who was showing signs consistent with both rabies and distemper just down the road from Grimsby Town Hall. For more information, the full article can be found here.

Please protect your family; keep an eye out for wildlife and make sure your pets(cats and dogs) are up to date on their rabies vaccine!

 

October 13, 2016

The City of Hamilton is reporting 3 new cases of raccoon strain rabies. In the first week of October 2016, 2 raccoons and 1 skunk have tested positive. In all of Ontario there has been 213 confirmed cases of rabies since December 2015, one of them was even a cat in Ancaster area! Hamilton area accounts for 176 of these (114 raccoons, 60 skunks and 1 fox) while Haldimand-Norfolk, Niagara Region and  Brant County make up the remainder.

All pets should be vaccinated for rabies, even if they are an indoor cat! There is still a risk they may sneak outside or catch a bat (which are notorious for carrying rabies). Please call Livingston Animal Hospital if you would like to schedule an appointment to vaccinate or would like to know about the status of your pets vaccinations.

You can minimize your pets risk for exposure by ensuring that they are kept safely indoors at night and checking at all times for wildlife before letting them outside. Block off any openings underneath porches or sheds as well as keep all pet food indoors. If you happen to see a raccoon or skunk behaving oddly such as wandering in broad daylight, approaching humans or hyper-salivating contact the City of Hamilton Animal Control at (905) 574-3433. More information along with a comprehensive list of positive rabies locations can be found on their website.

Rabies is transferred through saliva (typically bites) and is zoonotic which means it can be transmitted to humans! If you come into contact with these animals wash the wound with soap, seek medical attention, and call Public Health at 905-546-2489.