The start of summer can mean many things from the end of the school year to the beginning of vacations. But it’s also an important time to remember the health of pets.

According to Dr. Kathryn Walker of Beckley Veterinary Hospital, more cases of distemper, parvo and rabies are reported during the summer than any other season.

Although Walker said rabies can occur in any season, it is important to get animals vaccinated before symptoms appear.

Walker advises that while symptoms can include the classic “snarling dog,” there are others, including seizures, unresponsiveness, or acting sedated. Animals as young as 3 months of age can receive a rabies shot and continue getting them every two years.

“It is important to get them vaccinated because this disease can affect humans and cause death,” she said. “When the animal starts showing symptoms, there is nothing we can do for them.”

Reports of rabies have been filed in several counties this year, including Raleigh. The Raleigh County Health Department reported in early May that a raccoon found in the New River Road area near the Summers County line tested positive for rabies.

If people think their unvaccinated pets aren’t at risk, a report in late April from Summers County disproves that theory.

A rabid skunk exposed three dogs and one cat to the virus, resulting in the animals being euthanized, according to Summers County sanitarian Chad Meador.

The skunk bit two of the animals, sprayed another one and came in close proximity to the fourth.

Rabies has also been a problem in Greenbrier County. In April, a goat contracted the disease, resulting in seven people being treated. In 2006, a pet cat scratched a 2-year-old, forcing him to undergo treatment.

It is so important for animals to be vaccinated against rabies that it is required by state law.

Although distemper is not reported very often, Walker said it is still important to get dogs and cats vaccinated because it can cause death. Although dogs show neurological signs such as seizures, symptoms in cats can be similar to that of parvo in dogs. According to Walker, it is more dangerous in cats, and kittens as young as 9 weeks of age should get vaccinated.

“Kittens can die within 12 hours of getting distemper,” she said. “It affects them very quickly.”

Parvo, an intestinal virus, is the most common during the summer, according to Walker. In dogs, the lack of eating or drinking and bloody diarrhea are common symptoms. But it is 90 percent treatable if caught early, she said.

People should vaccinate their puppies starting at 4 to 6 weeks of age and then every three to four months, Walker said.

“We see parvo all the time,” she said. “It’s a preventable disease. The earlier you catch it, the better.”

For all of these reasons, Raleigh County will be holding its annual anti-rabies clinics all around the county beginning June 16.

A variety of shots will be available. For dogs, there will be vaccines for rabies, $5; distemper-parvo, $20; and the $3 county dog tax, required on all canines 6 months or older.

Vaccines available for cats are rabies, $5; distemper, $15; and feline leukemia, $15.

The schedule is:

Monday, June 16

9 a.m. to 10 a.m., Clear Creek Post Office

10:15 to 11:15 a.m., Clear Fork Worship Center, Artie

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Ameagle Post Office

1:30 to 2:30 p.m., Dorothy Post Office

2:45-3:45 p.m., Sundial Assembly of God Church

4:00-4:45 p.m., Naoma Post Office

Tuesday, June 17

9 to 10 a.m., Rebecca Chapel, Rock Creek

10:15 to 11:15 a.m., Arnett Post Office

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Bolt Post Office

1:30 to 3 p.m., Trap Hill Fire Department, Fairdale

3:15 to 4 p.m., Harper Free Methodist Church

Wednesday, June 18

9 to 10 a.m., Lester Fire Department

10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Sophia City Parking Lot

1:15 to 2:15 p.m., Bolen’s Store, Ury

2:30 to 4 p.m., Helen Post Office

Thursday, June 19

9 to 10 a.m., Wanna Stop, Amigo

10:15 to 11:15 a.m., Rhodell Post Office

12:15 to 1:15 p.m., Meadows Store, Besoco

2:30 to 4 p.m., Odd Baptist Church

Friday, June 20

9 to 10 a.m., Princewick Post Office

10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Coal City Post Office

1:15 to 2:15 p.m., Midway Post Office

2:30 to 4 p.m., Bethel Freewill Baptist Church, MacArthur

Monday, June 23

9 to 10 p.m., Terry Church

10:15 a.m. to noon, Smith’s Packette, Piney View

1 to 2 p.m., Stanaford Post Office

2 to 3:30 p.m., Bradley Freewill Baptist Church

Tuesday, June 24

9 to 10 a.m., former Richmond School, Abraham

10:15 to 11:25 p.m., White Oak Post Office

12:15 to 2 p.m., Shady Spring Elementary

2:30 to 4 p.m., Ghent Elementary

Wednesday, June 25

9 to 10 a.m., Grandview Shell Station

10:15 a.m. to noon, former Beaver School

1 to 2 p.m., Raleigh Post Office

2:15 to 4 p.m., Mabscott Fire Department

Thursday, June 26

9 to 11 a.m., Maxwell Hill Dry-Hill Community Center

noon to 2 p.m., Park Middle School, Beckley