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Did you ever think we would have to worry about rabies in 2024?

Rabies is a viral disease that affects mammals, and it is typically transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, often through bites.

Help us help others!

Recently, cats, dogs, raccoons, possums, and even coyotes have been reported infected with this dangerous virus.

Coyotes explore San Francisco
National Park Service // Wikimedia Commons
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We want to know if you've had an experience with a rabid animal.

Alabama has two strains of rabies that can not only get our pets and livestock sick…And it can infect us!

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Ron Chapple Stock
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Recently, a rabid raccoon bit a woman in her yard (scroll down to see the video).

Warning: Graphic content that may not be suitable for everyone.  Viewer discretion is advised.

Now I have seen movies and videos with rabid animals, yet the thought never crossed my mind that I could get rabies. Think it can’t happen…watch the video below of a rabid raccoon right here in Alabama! The two strains we have in Alabama are the raccoon and bat variants.  Alabama law requires that all cats, dogs, and ferrets get the rabies vaccine after the animal is 12 weeks old.

THE PLAYERS Championship - Round Two
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Should our livestock get the vaccine also? The answer is yes! The majority of our cases are caused by raccoon bites or scratches. Yet foxes, bats, skunks, and coyotes have been known to spread infections.  Unfortunately, the outcome of a rabies infection is almost always death.  Per the CDC the clinical signs of rabies in animals are the following…

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“Rabies virus causes an acute encephalitis in all warm-blooded hosts and the outcome is almost always fatal. The first symptoms of rabies may be nonspecific and include lethargy, fever, vomiting, and anorexia. Signs progress within days to cerebral dysfunction, cranial nerve dysfunction, ataxia, weakness, paralysis, seizures, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, excessive salivation, abnormal behavior, aggression, and/or self-mutilation.”

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What about us?

Are there symptoms we need to be aware of? The answer is yes, the CDC has outlined the following...

“The first symptoms of rabies may be similar to the flu, including weakness or discomfort, fever, or headache. There also may be discomfort, prickling, or an itching sensation at the site of the bite. These symptoms may last for days. Symptoms then progress to cerebral dysfunction, anxiety, confusion, and agitation. As the disease progresses, the person may experience delirium, abnormal behavior, hallucinations, hydrophobia (fear of water), and insomnia. The acute period of disease typically ends after 2 to 10 days. Once clinical signs of rabies appear, the disease is nearly always fatal, and treatment is typically supportive. Less than 20 cases of human survival from clinical rabies have been documented. Only a few survivors had no history of pre- or postexposure prophylaxis.”

So what should we do to prevent an untimely death from rabies? For one, make sure your pets are vaccinated against rabies or receive the rabies booster shot. What about us? If you should happen to get any injury from a wild animal, immediately wash the area and contact animal control to see if the animal can be caught. Then contact your doctor and discuss getting the anti-rabies shots.

This is a series of 5 shots given to you within 14 days.  I know shots stink, but I would rather deal with the needles versus possibly dying.

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They Are Allowed and Will Lie to You

They Are Allowed and Will Lie to You

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They Are Allowed and Will Lie to You

Police officers can lie to you in the process of an investigation. It's a tactic that is used often to obtain the truth of what's going on.

There are a Couple of Lies That Will Get an Officer in Trouble

There are a Couple of Lies That Will Get an Officer in Trouble

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There are a Couple of Lies That Will Get an Officer in Trouble

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That Cup of Coffee May be Solely to Get DNA

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That Cup of Coffee May be Solely to Get DNA

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Being Interviewed and Interrogated are 2 Different Things

Liudmila Chernetska

Being Interviewed and Interrogated are 2 Different Things

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Your Trash is Fair Game

Motortion

Your Trash is Fair Game

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Police Won't Be as Hard On You if You Confess

Police Won't Be as Hard On You if You Confess

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Police Won't Be as Hard On You if You Confess

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No Such Thing as "Off the Record"

No Such Thing as "Off the Record"

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No Such Thing as "Off the Record"

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Officers Do Not Have to Tell You Why They are Talking to You

Officers Do Not Have to Tell You Why They are Talking to You

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Officers Do Not Have to Tell You Why They are Talking to You

Police detectives have no legal obligation to tell you why they are talking to you or asking you questions.

An Officer Isn't Your Friend

An Officer Isn't Your Friend

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An Officer Isn't Your Friend

Police officers are not there to be your friend, they are there to enforce the law. Having said that, an officer could be friendly to you to ease the tension of a situation.

You Do Not Have to Talk or Let an Officer Into Your Home

You Do Not Have to Talk or Let an Officer Into Your Home

moodboard

You Do Not Have to Talk or Let an Officer Into Your Home

Unless a search warrant is displayed, you do not have to let an officer into your home. If an officer is at your door, you don't even have to talk to them. You even have the right to tell them to leave.

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kzenon

You Don't Have to Take a Field Sobriety Test

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Ask if You're Free to Go

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Ask if You're Free to Go

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Sometimes Officer's Break the Law

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Sometimes Officer's Break the Law

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Ignorance IS NOT the Same as Innocence

Ignorance IS NOT the Same as Innocence

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Ignorance IS NOT the Same as Innocence

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