RABIES
Rabies is an infectious viral disease which attacks the nervous system and is spread primarily through direct contact with a rabid animal, usually through a bite. It also may be transmitted through saliva or blood coming in contact with a person's mucous membranes or open wounds (that can even be a hangnail). If exposed in this way, only a series of shots can prevent a person from contracting this fatal disease.

SIGNS OF RABIES INCLUDE:

1. Animals which have a change in their usual behavior.
2. Wild animals - coyotes, foxes, bats, skunks, and raccoons, which seem to be friendly or tame or are out during the daytime.
3. Animals that have a hard time walking, eating, or drinking (this includes livestock).
4. Animals that exhibit excitement or meanness.
5. Animals that bite or scratch at an old wound until it bleeds.

IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT RABID ANIMALS:

If a pet is infected with the rabies virus, the way it acts may change. A friendly dog might want to be alone. A shy dog might want attention. Rabid dogs often become mean, roam, make strange noises and attack people and other animals. Rabid animals may drool, and they sometimes swallow stones, sticks, or other things.
Later, as the rabid animal gets even sicker, it might have trouble chewing, swallowing, drinking or walking. It may not be able to close its mouth, and may appear to be choking. NEVER try to clear the throat of an animal with these signs. If you see an animal acting this way, call the local animal control agency right away.

HOW TO PREVENT RABIES:

1. Have a veterinarian vaccinate your dogs and cats against rabies. Texas requires this annually. Keeping your pets vaccinated protects you and them.
2. Keep your pets restrained. Do not allow them to roam. Both Mansfield and Arlington and all the surrounding cities, have laws against dogs running loose, which carry heavy fines.
3. Avoid contact with wild animals and all dogs and cats you do not know. Do not try to hand-feed wild animals and do not keep them as pets.
4. Do not touch sick or injured animals. Call and report them to an animal control officer.
5. Do not touch or pick up a dead bat. They are often rabid. Call and report to an animal control officer.

Make sure everyone in your family, especially children, know how to prevent rabies.

IF YOU ARE BITTEN:

If an animal bites you, follow these steps. They may save your life!
1. Wash the bite with soap and water thoroughly. Rinse it well. Use antiseptic solution to kill the germs.
2. Call or see a doctor as soon as possible. The doctor will decide if you need treatment to prevent rabies.
3. Report the bite to Animal Control. Describe the animal that bit you - the kind, size, and color, etc. Tell children to get help from a policeman, school guard, or other adult. Try to locate the animal or keep track of it if you know where it lives. Remember what it looks like. Do not try to catch the animal yourself.
4. Animal Control is required to have the biting dog or cat tested for rabies or quarantined for 10 days. If the quarantined dog or cat has not developed rabies within 10 days then it could not have given you rabies.
Biting skunks, bats, foxes, coyotes, and raccoons must be tested for rabies. If you are bitten by another kind of animal, the local health department will decide if it needs to be tested or observed for rabies.
Bats are a very common and beneficial animal. Without them we would be knee deep in mosquitoes and other insect pests. They are also common carriers of rabies. Rabid bats are NOT aggressive. They will not attack you. However, curiosity often leads kids to pick them up or catch them.
If you see a bat in the daytime, whether on the ground or on a wall, assume it has rabies. Whether it is dead or alive, report it immediately to a member of the school staff. If it is after school or on other property, call Animal Control.
DO NOT TOUCH THE BAT IN ANY WAY - not ever with your shoes, stick or pencil. Anything that touches a bat could transfer body fluids of the bat to you, without any bite or scratch.
If you are bitten or have had contact with a bat, you must report it immediately to the local health department or doctor. You will probably need to get a series of shots to protect you from getting rabies. Once you get rabies, shots won't help you.

REMEMBER, touching bats could be deadly! Don't do it.