There are two to three cases of rabies in horses reported in Oklahoma in a typical year. This year, however, there has been a significant increase in horses diagnosed with the disease: seven total, with four in September alone.
Rabies in Oklahoma is usually carried by skunks and bats, said Oklahoma State Veterinarian Rod Hall. One of the two is responsible for nearly all rabies infections in the state.
Rabies is always fatal, so Hall encourages horse owners to vaccinate their livestock, either administering the vaccine themselves or having a veterinarian provide the injection.
A horse with rabies may initially be lame, depressed or agitated. He will eventually become recumbent and unresponsive or dangerously aggressive. Rabies is fatal; the only prevention is vaccination.
Read more at KOCO5 News.
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