A second cat in Saint-Anicet, Quebec, located in the Montérégie region, has tested positive for raccoon rabies this summer. According to Santé Québec Montérégie-Centre, three individuals required preventive treatment after encountering the infected animal. The discovery occurred a week following the diagnosis of a first cat with the same disease in Godmanchester, also in Montérégie.
The incident underscores the significance of maintaining pets’ vaccination schedules amid a raccoon rabies outbreak spreading across Estrie, Montérégie, and Centre-du-Québec regions. Health authorities advise pet owners to ensure their animals are not left unsupervised outdoors and to avoid contact with unfamiliar domestic and wild creatures, regardless of their appearance or health status.
In the event of a bite, scratch, or contact with potentially rabid animals’ saliva, it is essential to wash the affected area for 10-15 minutes and promptly contact Info-Santé at 811. Immediate preventive treatment is crucial to prevent the disease from developing.
Animals infected with rabies may display altered behavior, aggression, biting tendencies, isolation, reduced appetite, excessive salivation, or an unsteady gait. If a pet exhibits such symptoms, it should be isolated and examined by a veterinarian to minimize contact with other animals and humans.
The Environment Ministry reported the initial case of raccoon rabies in Saint-Eugène-de-Grantham in the Centre-du-Québec region. Residents of the Eastern Townships, Montérégie, and Centre-du-Québec are urged to report dead, injured, disoriented, or aggressive raccoons, skunks, or foxes through an online form. Individuals residing outside these regions can report potentially rabid wild animals by contacting the Environment Ministry at 1-877-346-6763.