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Last month in Oakland County, a stray kitten was taken to a veterinary practice for a health examination. Initially, the nine-week old kitten appeared healthy but a few days later, the kitten became lethargic, began vomiting, and developed neurologic symptoms such as tremors and lack of coordination. Rabies was confirmed in the kitten and the animal was humanely euthanized. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development's (MDARD) State Veterinarian, Dr. Nora Wineland, DVM, is urging residents to make certain all pets are current on rabies vaccinations.

"While this case is unfortunate, it is not unexpected as rabies is regularly detected in Michigan's wildlife-particularly in bats and skunks. This means the virus is present in the community, making it fundamentally important to vaccinate domestic animals against rabies," said Dr. Wineland. "Any mammal, including humans, can be infected with rabies. By vaccinating pets and livestock against the virus as well as having them avoid contact with wildlife, it protects both animal health and public health."

Rabies is a viral disease that is most commonly transmitted by a rabid animal bite. As of July 3, 2023, a total of 14 animals have been detected in seven Michigan counties. The animals include 8 bats, 5 skunks, and the kitten. The counties affected are Bay, Barry, Clinton, Ingham, Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne Counties, all in the Lower Peninsula. Three rabid skunks were detected in Wayne County.

While keeping your pets indoors serves as good protection, keeping their rabies vaccinations up-to-date serves as an invaluable barrier if they are ever exposed to a wild or stray animal which could be carrying the disease, and the results can be heartbreaking. Skunks and raccoons often wander into yards, foraging for food in trash cans. Michigan law requires ferrets and dogs to maintain current rabies vaccines. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that small rodents such as squirrels, chipmunks, mice, and rats, along with rabbits are almost never found to be infected with rabies and have not been known to transmit rabies to humans. This may be due to the fact that these small animals are killed and eaten by whichever larger animal infected them with the rabies virus in the first place. In addition, bird and snakes are not mammals and do not contract or transmit rabies.

If you suspect your pet may have been exposed to a rabid animal, it is important to immediately contact your vet or MDARD at 800-292-3939 to determine the next steps to take. For more information on rabies please go to http://www.michigan.gov/rabies.