The warm weather is finally here - Why not put on your takkies, bring the kids and the dog and have some fun!
Join Absolute Pets at their Walk for Paws fun morning at the James and Ethel Grey Park, Melrose, where all proceeds from the walk will go to assist the animals in our care.
You will have the opportunity to not only enjoy the lovely walk but interact with some of your favourite pet brands at the stalls, participate in fun competitions and giveaways.
The AACL-JHB team will be walking some of our dogs that are looking for new homes, so look out for our mobile clinic and come say Hi!
Book your ticket on Quicket
Spinathon 2023 4 November 2023
Caring enough to keep the pedals moving!
Johannesburg’s newest Spinathon event, where your endurance and passion will be put to the test over 6 hours of sweat and fun!
Once again, the presence of confirmed rabies cases of both dogs and humans are in the spotlight. Sadly, many pet owners have allowed their pets vaccinations to lapse. So please be vigilant and take a moment to check your pet’s vaccination cards and visit your local Veterinarian for their boosters if needed.
It is compulsory as in terms of the Animal Diseases Act 35 of 1984 that all dogs and cats over the age of 3 months be vaccinated against rabies in South Africa.
Rabies is a viral disease that causes acute encephalitis in warm-blooded animals, which can be transmitted from one mammal to another - including animals to humans - better known as a zoonotic disease.
As a viral disease in humans the virus will spread through the human body to the central nervous system, progressive and fatal inflammation of the brain and spinal cord develops.
Approximately 97% of documented human cases are attributed to dog bites and can be prevented by vaccinating at least 70% of dogs in high-risk areas.
The good news is that rabies is 100% preventable through the vaccination of your animals.
What must I do if I get scratched or a bite from an unknown animal?
If you do get bitten (licked or scratched) on an open wound, by an unknown animal, you need to seek medical treatment asap. This is irrespective of the severity of the wound, as even the tiniest scratch that breaks your skin can result in rabies infection as the virus enters your body. Rather leave it up to a trained medical professional to determine whether you are at risk of rabies infection or not.
Rabies post exposure treatment consists of three critical steps to ensure that you remain safe and prevent unnecessary deaths from rabies:
STEP 1.
You need to immediately and rigorously wash the area where you were exposed with soap and running water for up to 15 minutes. This will help to flush the virus particles out of the wound, reducing your likelihood of infection. However, this alone is not enough.
STEP 2.
Immediately seek professional medical attention at your nearest health facility. Be sure to mention that you were exposed to an unknown or unvaccinated animal, and you are concerned about rabies. The health professional will do a risk assessment based on their
professional knowledge to determine whether you require a vaccine or special rabies antibodies (called rabies immunoglobulin, also known as RIG) to help you fight the infection. This is based on the severity of the wound and the history of your exposure. Importantly, you must seek medical attention as soon as possible. No treatment is effective once symptoms develop.
STEP 3.
If the medical professional deems it necessary to provide you with a course of vaccinations (and possibly RIG), you must be sure to complete the full course of vaccinations. This means that you will need to return to the health facility to receive additional vaccinations.
This is critical as only one vaccination is not enough to ensure your safety.
Although rabies vaccination for your dogs and cats is compulsory in South Africa, not all pet owners are aware of this legislation.
Help us to eradicate rabies by 2030, by keeping your pet’s rabies vaccine status up to date.
State Vet:
Pretoria: 012 316 1600
Germiston: 011 821 7700 NICD Human Rabies helpline: 082 883 9920
