Vaccinate

April 30, 2008 10:00 pm

— In the past few years, the number of reported rabies cases has been large enough that we should definitely be concerned when it comes to valuable livestock and personal pets.
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture is now encouraging farmers to inoculate cattle, horse and sheep. Just a few weeks ago a rabid goat led to the quarantine of 20 cattle in Greenbrier County. In March, 84 heifers had to be destroyed at a Hampshire County farm after some positive tests for rabies.
Three dogs and a cat were euthanized in Summers County last week after encountering a rabid skunk.
While vaccinations for livestock aren’t required by law, they are being recommended by the WVDA. However, the law does say domestic animals must have the rabies vaccine every two years.
To define the rabies problem as a serious outbreak would be a reach at this point, but paying attention and getting the vaccinations done in a timely manner will ensure that headaches and heartache are avoided later.