Skunk Tests Positive For Rabies After Biting Dog In Longmont

LONGMONT, CO — A skunk found Wednesday on Quail Road in Longmont tested positive for rabies after it bit a dog, public health officials said.

The dog was bitten on its leg and paw after it approached the skunk, and the dog's owner called Boulder County Animal Control, which sent a sample to Boulder County Public Health for testing.

After the skunk tested positive for rabies, a risk assessment was completed for the dog and the dog's owner.

“Fortunately, this pet owner understood there might be a risk of rabies and did the right thing by contacting animal control to have the skunk tested,” said Carol McInnes, Boulder County Public Health environmental health specialist.

Another skunk, which was seen near Quail Road around three weeks ago, also appeared to have rabies, but that skunk had no known contact with people or domestic animals, officials said.

“Making sure rabies vaccinations are up-to-date for dogs, cats, horses, and livestock is the most important and effective way to protect both animals and humans from contracting rabies," McInnes said.

If a pet is not vaccinated against rabies, and they come in contact with a rabid animal, the pet may need to be euthanized or placed in a facility quarantine for 4 months at the owner’s expense, officials said.

The infectious viral disease affects the nervous system, and it is always fatal unless it is treated before any symptoms appear, health officials said.

Exposure to rabies is generally the result of a bite or scratch by an infected animal, and it is sometimes practically undetectable, such as a tiny puncture of the skin by a bat, health officials said. Treatment for rabies exposure involves a series of vaccinations.

Public health officials recommend that the following precautions be taken to reduce the risk of exposure to rabies:

• Do not handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly. Contact animal control to collect the animal.
• Thoroughly wash any wound caused by an animal with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately.
• Keep vaccinations current for all dogs, cats, and ferrets.
• Keep cats and ferrets inside and dogs under direct supervision.
• Teach children to leave wildlife alone.
• Do not leave pet food or livestock feed in areas that are accessible to wildife.

Bats are the most common animal source of rabies in Colorado. On average, around 15 percent of bats submitted for rabies testing test positive for the disease, health officials said. Over the past few years, skunks have been a significant source of rabies throughout eastern Colorado and the now the Front Range, health officials said. Other wild animals that may carry rabies include raccoons and foxes.

If a person or pet has been bitten by or has had contact with a bat or wild animal, seek medical care immediately, and then contact your local animal control agency or Boulder County Public Health at 303-441-1564 to arrange for rabies testing.

>> General information about rabies in Boulder County can be found here.