16 Jul 2014

Residents of Jwaneng and the surrounding villages have been urged to take their dogs and cats for rabies vaccination.


In an interview recently, senior technical officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Botshelo Mashiakgomo said rabies was a deadly and viral disease therefore it was vital for people owning dogs or cats to ensure that they were vaccinated. 


He explained that they had been carrying out a house to house campaign to encourage people to take their pets to veterinary offices for vaccination. 
 “Rabies is a serious public health issue which does not only affect cats and dogs, but people as well”, he said.


Mr Mashiakgomo said the exercise to vaccinate more pets was compounded by stray dogs and cats mostly in areas such as the Mpule Kwelagobe Orphanage Centre, Cresta Jwaneng Hotel, Jwaneng Mine Hospital and dumping sites.

He also said there were myths associated with the rabies vaccine, which he said discouraged people from vaccinating their pests.

He said some people believed that the vaccine reduced the agility of their pets. 
Mr Mashiakgomo said some signs of rabies included loss of appetite, dullness, isolation and droopy ears, which are common during the first stage.


He further said during the second stage, the pet becomes aggressive towards people and animated objects.
 He stated that paralysis was a sign of the last stage which eventually led to death. ENDS