Rabid skunk found in Reynolds County

REYNOLDS COUNTY, Mo. -- A rabid skunk marks the first animal to test positive for the disease in Reynolds County this year.

"On Dec. 14, 2011, a skunk entered a pen where a mother dog and four puppies were located," said Gena Terlizzi, public information officer for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, in an email earlier this week.

The skunk killed one of the puppies, and the mother dog and other three puppies were euthanized due to concerns of infection.

"The skunk was later shot by a neighbor," Terlizzi said. "The owner of the dogs took the dead skunk to a local veterinarian to have the head removed for rabies testing."

The specimen tested positive for rabies on Dec. 15, according to Terlizzi.

While the case is the first reported in Reynolds County, skunks have tested positive in several south-central Missouri counties. According to Terlizzi, seven skunks have tested positive in Howell County, and one each in Dent, Douglas, Shannon and Texas counties. A skunk also tested positive for rabies in Cape Girardeau County in April.

The suspect skunk's body was brought to Hillcrest Animal Hospital in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Veterinarian Jim Richardson said the family became suspicious because the skunk was so aggressive during the daytime.

Skunks and raccoons can live for years with rabies, Richardson said, while the disease is fatal to cats and dogs, and in humans if vaccinations are not begun immediately after contracting the illness.

Richardson said it isn't uncommon for residents to bring in suspicious animals, although positive test results are rare.

The only preventive measure available is to vaccinate pets, since they can be exposed to other infected animals.

Rabies causes acute encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms in animals can include lethargy and vomiting in the earliest stages, and foaming at the mouth, abnormal or aggressive behavior and seizures in later stages.

For more information on rabies, visit www.cdc.gov/rabies. The department also offers a 24-hour information hotline at 404-332-4555.

Pertinent address:

Reynolds County, Mo.