Rabid Skunks Found in Fort Bend County

Maintain your pet's vaccinations--that's the message Fort Bend County Animal Control officials are sending out to pet owners after they found two rabid skunks.

One of the skunks was found in an unincorporated area of Beasley, and the other was found in the city of Needville, according to a Fort Bend County Animal Control statement.

"Although the incidence of rabies is low among domestic animals in the United States, with the occurrence of wildlife rabies comes the increased risk for infection of humans," Animal Control director Vernon Abschneider said in the statement.

Animal control officials say pet owners should annually immunize all dogs and cats older than three months or administer the shots as prescribed by their local rabies control authority. Officials also say that all owned dogs and cats should be registered and licensed.

"It is also important to keep your animals restrained and not allow them to roam freely as this will further protect them from confrontation with wildlife," said Abschneider.

Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the central nervous system, or brain and spinal cord, of an animal or human, according to the statement. It's contracted from a bite by an infected mammal and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.

"Humans and animals can be exposed to rabies from the saliva or brain and spinal cord tissue of a rabid animal that bites or scratches them," according to the statement. "Exposure can also occur if infected saliva or tissue gets into a fresh wound (one that has bled within 24 hours) or the eyes, nose or mouth."

Wild animals, such as raccoons, bats, skunks, foxes and coyotes are more likely to carry rabies.

"Skunks are nocturnal animals, and daytime activity usually indicates they are rabid," according to the statement. "Therefore all daytime sightings should be reported to your local Animal Control office."

In the meantime, officials warn that leaving food outside could attract wildlife to pet owners' properties.

Anyone bitten by a wildlife animal should wash the animal bite or scratch with a lot of soap and water and contact a doctor immediately to receive rabies immune globulin and a series rabies vaccine to prevent infection.

"The rabies immune globulin and the first vaccine should be given as soon as possible after exposure," according to the statement. "However, if the animal can be caught and observed or tested for rabies, it is safe to wait up to 10 days before starting the series."

Early symptoms of rabies include irritability, headache, fever, itching or pain at the site of exposure.