Confirmed Case Of Rabies In Oologah Prompts Warning To Pet Owners

By Chris Wright, The News On 6

OOLOGAH, OK -- A confirmed case of rabies prompts a warning from a northeastern Oklahoma veterinarian.  The dog in question is now being quarantined after a run in with a rabid skunk in Oologah.

The owner of Tyson, a three-year-old boxer, took him to Will Rogers Animal Hospital last week. Testing confirmed the skunk was rabid, and Tyson hadn't been properly protected.

"In this situation, the poor guy was told that the dog was vaccinated, and they checked and it hadn't been," said Dr. Ron Wallace, Will Rogers Animal Hospital.

Now the boxer has to be quarantined for six months, and receive a series of three rabies vaccinations over a period of eight weeks. So far, Dr. Wallace says there are no symptoms of rabies.

"It's been three weeks now. He's not showing any symptoms, so I think he will be fine," said Dr. Wallace.

Dr. Wallace hopes the incident serves as a reminder to pet owners. Spring is when the rabies risk is highest, and he says you should not put off getting your animal vaccinated.

"Rabies, mainly in skunks, because they have adapted that they can live with the virus. That makes a bad problem. So if you see a skunk, usually out in the daytime, most of the time it's going to be rabid," said Dr. Wallace.

While Tyson has made it through the tough part, he still has a long time left in quarantine. Even if he doesn't have rabies, that's five more months his owner will have to be without his best friend.

"But hopefully, I think everything will turn out ok," said Dr. Wallace.