5 receiving rabies treatment due to rabid cat in SE Roanoke (VA)

http://www.WSLS.com/ ^ | July 6, 2009 | Karen McNew

[Darnright]

The orange and white stray cat was brought to Vinton Veterinary Hospital on June 26th and tested positive for rabies four days later.

A notice went up on neighbors doors in the Garden City area of Roanoke City. The cat had been seen in the 1500 block of Hillview Avenue.

Heather Reed is a Veterinary Technician at Vinton Veterinary Hospital and now has to undergo rabies shots after being bitten by the rabid cat.

She says, “I was at home when the health department called me and um got a little frantic because i am five months pregnant and i didn’t know how that would affect me.“

Reed is one of three people who work at the vet clinic and had to get shots because of the rabid cat.

Someone brought the stray cat here to Vinton Veterinary Hospital because it had wounds on its paws. It was acting aggressive when it got to the facility. Then it got sicker and was euthanized. When the test was sent off for rabies, it came back positive.

WSLS 10 has learned the cat that tested positive had been at seen at a home that has had five visits from animal control because of calls about problems with stray cats. An animal control officer also had to start rabies shots as a precaution.

See video:

http://www.wsls.com/sls/news/local/article/5_people_are_undergoing_rabies_treatment_because_of_a_rabid_cat_in_south_ea/40777/

[Darnright]

>I got bit by a bat and had to get them also. Sucked. Plus I hypocondriacted myself constantly thinking, do I feel hot? Does water still taste good. Why do these goth chicks look so hot to me?<

Now I don’t care who you are, that’s funny!

I used to work with animals. I went through the preventative rabies treatment. I never had to get vaccinated from actually being bitten, thank goodness. As I recall, it was a series of shots, but they weren’t all that painful. A single tetanus shot is much worse.

[AppyPappy]

You are confusing feral cats with pets. Feral cats have no owner.

[mmichaels1970]

Why do these goth chicks look so hot to me?

Ahhh...blurred vision, impaired judgement, mild insanity, and swelling of the brain...certainly symptoms that might cause concern.

[mmichaels1970]

As I recall, it was a series of shots, but they weren’t all that painful.

Worst one was the first one after being bitten. They took the needle and stuck it under the affected area. As they injected the medicine, they "wheeled" the needle around under the bite to spread the medicine out over the entire area. So they jammed the needle in and twisted it around in a circle.

The only other bad part was the cycle itself. Having to go back in a week, then two weeks after that, then three weeks after that (forget the actual durations), etc.

Actually finding the vaccine was tough as well. Had to pay an ER co-pay for the first treatment, then had to go about 40 minutes to downtown Cleveland for the remainder of the treatments.

[Darnright]

>Worst one was the first one after being bitten. They took the needle and stuck it under the affected area. As they injected the medicine, they “wheeled” the needle around under the bite to spread the medicine out over the entire area. So they jammed the needle in and twisted it around in a circle.<

They told me after the preventative series, if I got bitten I’d only have to have a single injection.

Something tells me that one injection would be the one you describe above (shudder).

You poor thing!

[Lurker]

You are confusing feral cats with pets.

Whatever. It's illegal for cats to be running the neighborhood in my jurisdiction. So if they're on my property and get in my trap it's off to the County they go.

[AppyPappy]

Do you do the same with other people’s birds? After all, they are a nuisance. Always pooping on cars and lawn furniture and houses. Do you set traps for them?

[Lurker]

Do you do the same with other people’s birds?

If someone elses bird lands on my property and wanders into my trap, sure.

Now since songbirds are legally protected in my State, I have to put up with them. Trapping them is a crime.

L

[packrat35]

Well I am all more some of them

[packrat35]

Just try it buddy! I'm on to you!

[tet68]

Oh yeah, she’s rabid, I can tell by the shoes.

[mmichaels1970]

ping to 2nd amendment “bang” list.

[TSgt]

Do you do the same with other people’s birds? After all, they are a nuisance. Always pooping on cars and lawn furniture and houses. Do you set traps for them?

Replies like that tell me you are not among the sane or logical.

[AppyPappy]

Ur mom

[TSgt]

Case and point.

[Eagles6]

Some just can’t make the distinction between a cute kitten and an animal that’s turned wild.