Officials with Alberta Health Services are asking pet owners to take precautionary measures following the discovery of a rabies infected bat in West Lethbridge.
According to Park Pet Hospital staff, a golden retriever was brought into the vet clinic earlier this week after the dog found a bat lying on a sidewalk.
The bat was euthanized and a test for rabies indicated the bat did carry the viral disease.
The golden retriever received the rabies vaccine and will remain under house quarantine for the next six months.
The family which owns the dog is undergoing a series of post-exposure rabies vaccinations.
“Keep your pets up to date on their vaccines, even indoor only cats, because these bats that get rabies lose their ability to fly and can end up in homes,” said Dr. Stephanie Osinchuk of Park Pet Hospital. “Cats and dogs are prey driven and see bats as prey. They’ll put them in their mouths which is a very easy way to contract rabies.”
Anyone with concerns about rabies exposure should contact Alberta Agriculture for Protocol Procedures or Alberta Health Link.
