If only they’d developed the rabies vaccine in the mid-nineteenth century, Old Yeller would have survived the battle with the rabid wolf, the book and the movie would either have never been written or taken a different turn, and I’d have needed to rack my brain for an intro and a segue.
The “best doggone dog in the West” was a fictional creature, but according to Dr. Dayna Wiedenkeller, DVM, the film’s portrayal of a dog infected with rabies and displaying symptoms a few days later was realistic. Dr. Wiedenkeller practices veterinary medicine at the Community Veterinary Hospital in Garden Grove and is also this year’s president of the California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA); she said that it was too bad that rabies inoculations for dogs weren’t mandatory until the mid-1950s (see why here; the reported incidents are chilling in their brevity), when the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association (SCVMA) set up rabies clinics in LA.
“Rabid dogs were running the street—the risk to human and canine health was scary,” Dr. Wiedenkeller said. “They did an amazing job in LA, and everyone followed suit in California and most likely then across the country. They almost eradicated the disease. Fast-forward to today—the same problem could happen. If your animal is subjected to rabies, it will have to be quarantined or euthanized. Imagine the heartbreaking death of a beloved pet. They didn’t have the shot back then [in the period depicted in Old Yeller], but shame on us if we don’t do it now.”
Rabies is a virus that causes a severe brain infection in mammals, including humans. It’s transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal; symptoms include agitation, excessive salivating, biting or snapping at apparently imaginary objects, appearing wobbly or disoriented, circling and self-mutilation. And it’s considered 100 percent fatal.
The term urban wildlife is in increasing use everywhere as more and more animals that we’re used to seeing in the wild make forays into cities and towns. The increase in coyote sightings in Long Beach, Seal Beach and Los Alamitos are one example; bears who show up in swimming pools and trees farther north and east are others. According to an article by Dr. Jessica Vogelsang, incidents of rabies are on the rise because of the encroachment of humans upon their territory. In June 26, a rabid skunk was the first reported case of rabies since 1979 was reported in the 90815 area of Long Beach.
A news release stated that the person who notified authorities about the skunk handled the situation correctly; she made no attempt to pick up or capture the animal and immediately called Long Beach Animal Care Services (ACS) officials to remove the skunk after she noticed erratic behavior by the animal. The skunk likely had an encounter with a rabies-infected bat, the release said. City health officer Dr. Mitchell Kushner stated that bat-to-mammal rabies transmission is common, particularly at this time of year.
“We had one get into a home in Los Alamitos about four years ago, I believe, and it tested positive for rabies,” said Ted Stevens, Long Beach Animal Care Services (ACS) manager. “Luckily, the dog was vaccinated, but the residents had to be vaccinated after the fact, to be safe.”
At this writing, there have been 17 confirmed cases of rabies in Orange and Los Angeles counties (including the city of Long Beach) so far this year, and most of them have been reported in bats. “Any animal can carry rabies, but bats fly and we’re often afraid of the cat trapping the bat,” Dr. Wiedenkeeler said. “It’s a blood-borne disease, so the cat could get bitten, but the cat can more commonly kill or bite the bat” Cats, Stevens noted, are the most commonly reported domestic animal in the United States to contract rabies.
These stats shouldn’t be a cause for alarm but for caution. Shots against the deadly disease are an inexpensive way to ensure that your cat or dog won’t become infected, Stevens said. Rabies inoculations are one of the requirements of pet licensing, which is the means to keep track of animals current on their vaccines. Long Beach Animal Care Services provides low-cost shot clinics that include rabies inoculation. It should also be mentioned that laws related to rabies were updated in January of this year, and a pet owner can now get a waiver with veterinary approval. The process is listed on one of ACS’s webpages.
Pet owners differ in opinion regarding the shots, however. Some indoor-cat owners feel that keeping the pet inside is caution enough and a home invasion by bats is unlikely, which it probably is. However, pets have panicked and become lost during earthquakes and other disasters when they escape from the home they’re in. The chances of contracting rabies may be slim, but the more wary among us opt for the shots.
Others object to the expense, inconvenience, a problem with a mandatory vaccine (dogs over 4 months statewide; cats in certain communities including Long Beach) and in many cases, the shots themselves.
“I think that rabies shots are overused when there’s such a small incidence, and we should be cautious about them,” said one dog owner who chose not to be identified. “I think pets are overly vaccinated. I think if people were more aware of the health of their pets rather than following a vaccination schedule, all the pets would be better off.”
The pet owner mentioned reactions to the shots, including a dog that nearly died from one. Dr. Wiedenkeller stated that animals can develop allergic reactions as do humans and the percentage of reactions from the shots are low, less than 10 percent. She stressed that if a pet has a delayed reaction to a rabies shot, he or she must be immediately brought to the vet. There are several emergency and after-hours vets in or near Long Beach; ask your regular vet for a reference, and be sure to have the telephone number at hand.
Dr. Wiedenkeller did cite some controversy that surfaced about 10 years ago concerning tumors and sarcomas that cats used to get in the back after the shots. These were believed to have been caused by adjuvants, which are substances added to a killed-virus vaccine, in this case rabies, to enhance the immune system’s reaction. Vaccines have changed significantly in the past few years, she said; non-adjuvant vaccines have been developed and are available. Cats now get vaccines in the hind legs instead of in the back, and she said that she’s seen only one sarcoma since the new vaccines were developed.
“You can’t hardly tell at first, not till they get to the point of slobbering and staggering around….But you want to watch for others that ain’t that far along. Now, you take a bobcat or a fox. You know they’ll run if you give ’em the chance. But when one don’t run, or maybe makes fight at you, why, you shoot him and shoot him quick. After he’s bitten you, it’s too late.” That’s one of the characters in the film Old Yeller giving a down-home-and-quick explanation of rabies. However you feel about rabies injections, the y protect pets and control a horrible disease that used to be a lot more common than it is now.
“I got rabies shots for biting the head off a bat but that’s OK – the bat had to get Ozzy shots”
~ Ozzy Osbourne (I give him a pass)
The Health Department and Animal Care Services shared the following tips about rabies:
- Vaccinate your dogs and cats. Keeping your pets vaccinated protects you and them. Unvaccinated pets that come in contact with a rabid skunk, bat, or other animal may need to be euthanized or quarantined for up to six months.
- Restrain your pets; do not allow them to roam. Keep dogs on a leash when outside your property.
- Avoid contact with wild animals and with dogs and cats you do not know. Most importantly, teach children to do the same, even if the animal appears friendly.
- Do not try to hand-feed wild animals, and do not keep them as pets.
- Do not touch sick or injured animals. Report sick or injured animals to Animal Care Services at 562-570-7387.
- Wash any wound from an animal bite thoroughly with soap and water; seek medical attention immediately.
- For more information on rabies, call Long Beach Animal Care Services at 562-570-7387 or click here.
Low-Cost Pet Clinic Information & Schedule 2014
Pet owners must be 18 years or older. All pets must be on leashes or in carriers. Only healthy and non-pregnant animals will be vaccinated. If you have a prior Rabies vaccine certificate, license tag or license renewal notice for your pet, please bring it with you to the clinic. Vaccination and microchip services are provided for pets residing in any city. Licensing service is provided for residents within our jurisdiction: Long Beach, Signal Hill, Cerritos, Los Alamitos and Seal Beach. For more service information and pricing please visit Southern California Veterinary Vaccine Clinics.
| September 6th | |
| 10:00AM—11:30AM | McBride Park, 1550 Martin Luther King Avenue |
| 1:30PM—3:00PM | Veterans Park, 101 East 28th Street |
| October 4th | |
| 10:00AM—11:30AM | Marine Stadium, 5255 Paoli Way 90803 |
| 1:30PM—3:00PM | Silverado Park, 1545 W 31st St. |
| October 18th | |
| 10:00AM—11:30AM | Signal Hill Park, 2175 Cherry Ave., Signal Hill |
| 1:30PM—3:00PM | Stearns Champion Park, 4520 E 23rd St. |
| October 26th | |
| 10:00AM—11:30AM | Coolidge Park, 352 East Neece Street |
| 1:30PM—3:00PM | Scherer Park, 4600 Long Beach Blvd. |
| November 1st | |
| 10:00AM—11:30AM | Ramona Park, 3301 East 65th Street |
| 1:30PM—3:00PM | Drake Park, 951 Maine Avenue |
| November 15th | |
| 10:00AM—11:30AM | Arbor Dog Park, 4665 Lampson Ave., Seal Beach |
| 1:30PM—3:00PM | Orizaba Park, 1435 Orizaba |
| December 6th | |
| 10:00AM—11:30AM | Signal Hill Park, 2175 Cherry Ave., Signal Hill |
| 1:30PM—3:00PM | Stearns Champion Park, 4520 E 23rd St. |
| December 20th | |
| 10:00AM—11:30AM | Bixby Park, 130 Cherry Avenue |
| 1:30PM—3:00PM | Marine Stadium, 5255 Paoli Way 90803 |
This schedule is subject to change. Check the ACS website for dates, locations and postponements.
Virtually Pets
The dog at the top of the page is not Spike, the dog who portrayed Old Yeller in the film. I contacted everyone who sits behind a chrome-plated desk at Disney, but no one would grant me free use of a film still. So much for “always let your conscience be your guide.” So I got lookalikes, which works even better because they’re all adoptable. All are yellow labs or lab mixes.
Sandy was found in an abandoned lot with her 10 babies and their daddy. Sparky and the Gang rescued them all. Sandy’s a lab and maybe a houndish mix. She’s a sweet and gentle girl who was a great mom. She is about 55 pounds and is now spayed and current on shots. Contact Sparky and the Gang, [email protected].
Jesie’s an energetic 10-year-old purebred yellow Lab that loves to chase a ball and go on walks. She’s presently being fostered by a kind family who’s showing her love she apparently never got in her previous home. She’s spayed, housetrained, up-to-date on shots, and good with cats and other dogs but not with children. Contact Southern California Labrador Retriever Rescue, [email protected].
Seamus is a 6-year-old purebred, pedigreed yellow Labrador retriever. This easygoing boy is a gentle giant at about 100 pounds. He has perfect manners, walks like a dream—he’s trained to walk on the left side!—has a mellow temperament, and loves to play ball. Seamus loves all humans and other dogs. He came to Independent Lab Rescue from a loving home where his family was forced to let him go because of issues beyond their control. He was obviously loved and trained, and it really shows. He’s healthy, up-to-date on vaccinations and neutered. If you feel this perfect kid is right for your home, please shoot an e-mail to [email protected].
Hayden is a 1 year old yellow male Labrador and a happy, playful puppy! He’s only 57 pounds now and will weigh about 65 to 70 pounds as an adult— a nice, medium-size Lab. Hayden was a stray who made his way to a shelter, where Independent Lab Rescue quickly rescued him. He has a sweet, playful temperament and will need plenty of toys, dog bones, soft squeaky toys and more to keep him entertained. He’s neutered, up-to-date on vaccines and microchipped. If you would like to add this darling boy to your family and you can provide everything a young Lab pup requires, email [email protected].
Kibble
Critter Calendars
“Models wanted, clothing optional” reads the headline introducing the Seal Beach Animal Care Center’s Wag N Walk Calendar Contest. Entrants are asked to enter photos of their best buddy and call for votes at $5 each (sure, you can vote liberally for your own pet. All your donations will support this all-volunteer-run shelter.) The top vote getters will grace the 2015 dog and cat calendars.
Meanwhile, Friends of El Dorado Dog Park will have its own pinups. The Best Friend Photo Contest features great prizes, coupons and a chance to grace the park’s 2015 calendar. Dogs only, so the cat gets a reprieve. No people, either.
Pet Projects
19th Annual Wag n’ Walk Benefitting the Animal Care Center, Saturday, Sept. 27, Eisenhower Park at Seal Beach Pier, Main Street and Ocean Boulevard, Seal Beach, 9:00AM–2:00PM. Registration Information Online
Join Grand Marshall Justin Rudd and his dogs Riley and POTUS in supporting the animals in residence at the Seal Beach Animal Care Center! Bring your two- and four-legged friends to stroll through Seal Beach and enjoy our animal expo, with fun for the entire family! Register online, or just come for the fun!
Holiday Bone-anza, Sunday, Nov. 16, Good Neighbor Park, 2800 Studebaker Rd., Long Beach, 10:00AM–5:00PM
Celebrate our new dog park and help raise money for water lines into the park. Friends of El Dorado, with the help of their sponsors, will be bringing in holiday snow to play in, and there will be a DJ, a raffle and a silent auction, face painting, elves (eek!) and food trucks. Pet contests will entertain in a number of categories—find the info here. Join the fun!