FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 12, 2008

WAKE HEALTH OFFICIALS ISSUE RABIES NOTICE FOR SOUTHERN WAKE COUNTY RESIDENTS

Anyone bitten or scratched by unknown animals should immediately call Community Health at 250-4462

Local health officials have issued a rabies notice for residents and visitors in the vicinity of the Amherst subdivision, near the intersection of Bells Lake Road and Johnson Pond Road in the Fairview area of southern Wake County. A case of rabies was confirmed Monday, May 12, 2008, in a raccoon. County officials are investigating the possible exposure of the owner of the property and his cat.

"We don't want to alarm residents in the southern Wake County area, but they should be aware of this case and of the potential for exposure to themselves, family members and their pets," said Gibbie Harris, Wake County Community Health director.

"Anyone living in or visiting the area, who has been scratched or bitten by an animal they do not know, should call our clinic. Our nurses will be able to assess if they need to seek medical treatment."

Whenever persons are bitten or scratched by an unknown animal, they should thoroughly clean the wound with soap and warm water and contact their physicians or Wake County Community Health immediately. The daytime phone number for Wake County Community Health is (919) 250-4462; the after-hours number is (919) 839-3059.

Wake County Animal Control officials urge the following:

Residents should not approach wildlife, especially during the daytime.

Residents should ensure their pets have a current rabies vaccinations. If a pet is allowed outside, a booster vaccine is recommended. Outdoor pets should be kept inside until they receive booster vaccines.

Do not leave trash or food outside unless in a trash can with a tight-fitting lid.

If a pet is fed outside, do not leave food out overnight.

Do not leave pets outdoors unattended.

If your pet comes in contact with an animal that might be rabid, contact your veterinarian immediately.

To report animal complaints and stray animals:

In Wake County (except Cary, Garner, Holly Springs and Raleigh), call (919) 212-PETS (7387) In Cary, call (919) 319-4517 In Garner, call (919) 772-8896 In Holly Springs, call (919) 557-9111 In Raleigh, call (919) 831-6311

More information on rabies may be found online through the N.C. Division of Public Health (www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/rabies.html) or through the National Center for Infectious Diseases (www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies).

10 Pet Dangers You May Not Know About

Xylitol : A sweetner in sugar-free candy and cookies that can cause low blood sugar and liver damage in dogs ( one gram in a 22lbs dog requires veterinary intervention.)

Liquid Potpourri:  Cats and dogs can be badly burned by lapping hot oils and many of these products can result in ulcers in the animal's mouth and/or gastrointestinal tract. The ASPCA Poison Control Center has received 330 calls on these products since 2001.

Medications in Childproof Containers:  A dog can chew through the containers.

Lilies:  Lilies can be lethal to cats ( kidney damage).

Polyurethane Glue:  Dogs like to eat products, resulting in a rock-like mass in the stomach that requires surgical removal.

Onions & Garlic:  Can harm a pets red blood cells.

Grapes & Raisins:  Can cause renal failure in dogs (not sure why they are so toxic).

Pennies:  Pennies minted after 1982 are 99.2% zinc which can cause anemia and kidney problems.

Macadamia Nuts:  Just a handful of these wonderful nuts can cause a dog to become dramatically ill - even leading to paralysis.

Pine Oil Cleaners:  Can cause serious liver damage in cats who lick these up after applied to floors.

Update on Cocoa Bean Mulch as reported in the AVMA Bulletin, May, 2006

Many of you know that cocoa bean mulch, a byproduct of chocolate production is frequently used for home landscaping.  If you have dogs, you also probably know that if they ingest cocoa bean mulch it can cause a toxic reaction.  The following is updated information, provided by Dr. Steve Hansen, director of the ASPCA Poison Control Center, regarding cocoa bean mulch.

Dogs are sensitive to theobromine and caffeine, chemicals that are called methylxanthines, which are present in cocoa beans.  Dogs that consume cocoa bean mulch may have very similar symptoms to those seen in chocolate poisoning, which include vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle tremors.

Currently there is a story being circulated about a dog named Calypso who recently died from ingesting cocoa bean shells.  According to Dr. Hanson, the actual cause of the dog's death is highly suspect.  Calypso reportedly vomited a few times, but had no other clinical signs until the following day, when she had a single seizure during her morning walk and died instantly.  With poisoning from methylxanthines there are a progression of symptoms; seizures may occur with an exceptionally high ingestion, but death is uncommon.  Dr Hansen reports that in 2004 and 2005 there were 16 cases of exposure to cocoa bean mulch reported to the ASPCA, none of which resulted in death.  In Calypso's case, Dr. Hansen believes that a necropsy would have likely shown an underlying condition which caused her death.