TRAGIC CASE OF UNVACCINATED DOG HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF RABIES VACCINATION

The Kloof and Highway SPCA is urging pet owners to be responsible and vaccinate their pets against rabies.

It served as a reminder of the importance of vaccinating pets against rabies after a dog from Mariannhill, Durban, that came in for a routine sterilisation, later exhibited signs of the disease.

On Tuesday, Barbara Patrick, manager of the Kloof and Highway SPCA, shared that a beloved family pet named Lulu had been booked for her sterilisation on January 8.

“Our Field Officer, Sipho Mkhize, went to pick up Lulu for her appointment, and she was expected to return home the following day after recovering. Lulu had never been vaccinated, so we planned to administer the rabies vaccine during her visit to our clinic in Kloof,” explained Patrick.

After Lulu’s sterilisation on January 9 went smoothly, she was sent home to recover with her owner.

“On Saturday, January 11, we received calls on our after-hours emergency line saying Lulu wasn’t well—she was very sick and needed help. They asked if we could come and collect her,” Patrick explained.

Field Officer Philani Nzama went to pick up Lulu and took a video of her. She was showing signs of neurological distress, which led Nzama to suspect that Lulu might have rabies.

Inspector Kerrie Andrews from the clinic received the video and immediately contacted Lulu’s owner, sharing her concerns about the possibility of rabies.

Andrews informed the owner that rabies has no cure and urged them to start rabies treatment for themselves and their son as a precaution.

“Inspector Andrews called me and sent me the video. I agreed with the heart-wrenching decision to humanely euthanise Lulu and have her body sent to the State Vet for testing,” Patrick said.

She explained that no rabies test can be conducted without first euthanising the animal.

“Today (Tuesday), we received heartbreaking news from the State Vet—Lulu tested positive for rabies. She would have endured a horrific death and could have spread the virus to anyone or any animals she came into contact with,” Patrick said.

“Lulu’s family, along with our Kloof and Highway SPCA Clinic and Inspectorate staff who had contact with her, will also need to undergo rabies treatment.”

Patrick said the decision to humanely euthanise Lulu and send her for rabies testing was the right one.

“However, our dedicated staff, who care deeply for all animals, were deeply traumatised by this choice. They had to navigate not only the heartbreak of Lulu’s family but also the challenge of helping them come to terms with the possibility that Lulu might have had rabies,” Patrick explained.

She added that if Lulu had been vaccinated against rabies, the outcome could have been much more positive for everyone involved.

“We still don’t know the full scope of how far Lulu may have spread the virus, and we sincerely hope no other animals or people were affected,” Patrick said.

She noted that the State Vet will be reaching out to the family and will need to visit the area to check for any other potential rabies cases.

“Once again, we urge all pet owners to take responsibility and ensure their pets are vaccinated against rabies—because there is no cure for rabies!” Patrick stressed.