Second Low-Cost Rabies Clinic Set for Saturday, May 18

It has been a relatively calm year for cases of rabies in Toccoa-Stephens County, but County authorities say you should still get your pets vaccinated against this deadly disease.

If you missed the May 4th rabies clinic, a second low-cost rabies clinic will be held at various locations on Saturday, May 18.

County Environmental Health Director Shad Slocum tells WNEG News he’s only had one confirmed case of rabies in the County this year, but he said that doesn’t mean the disease has been eradicated in our area.

“Rabies never leaves us. It is always here. We have low years and high years,” Slocum said. “As it runs through a community it will kill off the populations suseptible to it and then there will be a low year. Then, you’ll hava a year when animals become suseptible again and it will spread from animal to another.”

That confirmed case was in a raccoon.  Slocum said last year, he had three confirmed cases including racoon, skunk and a bobcat.

Slocum said there are specific signs to watch for in your pet or wild animals that indicate they might have rabies.  The first is, if you see a wild animal that normally comes out at night, such as a raccoon, fox, or skunk, wandering in the daytime.

Other signs, according to Slocum include how the animal behaves.

“The rabies virus is a neurological disease and affects the brain. It affects motor skills and personality. So, if you see an animal and they can’t walk good, like they’re in a drunken stupor, or their legs go out from under them, that’s one indication,” he said.

Other signs include normally friendly pets suddenly becoming very aggressive, or wild animals that would normally run from you instead start to attackyou, and excessive salivating or drooling.

Slocum says if you see a pet or wild animal exhibiting those symptoms you need to call 911 immediately.

And to make sure your pet is safeguarded from rabies, you can take advantage of the next low-cost rabies clinic on Saturday, May 18.

Sponsored by the Currahee Veterinary Clinic, rabies vaccines will be $8 for a one-year shot or $20 for a three-year.

On Saturday the 18th, clinic workers will be at the following locations:

9a: The Shiloh Fire Department

11a: Whitman St. Center

1p: The parking of the Currhaee Vet Clinic

3P: New Hope Baptist Church

Dr. Lila Windus tells WNEG News she will also be offering other vaccines for dogs and cats at a reduced rate.  For more information on the May 18 rabies clinic you can contact the Currahee Vet Clinic at: 706-886-3803.