Warning issued by vet after rabid bat found in Duck Lake

One Saskatchewan veterinary clinic is ringing alarm bells after a bat in the province was recently found to have rabies.

In a social media post this week, Brighton Veterinary Clinic warned the rabid bat was found in the RM of Duck Lake.

The clinic warned clients that keeping their pets’ rabies vaccinations up to date is extremely important and that rabies prevention is simple.

The Government of Saskatchewan runs a rabies response program where private vets collect samples from suspect animals and submit these for rabies testing under direction from the program’s Rabies Risk Assessment Veterinarian (RRAV).

Test results are reported back to the submitting veterinarian and RRAV will also coordinate any response and follow-up activities necessary in the event of a positive rabies test result, the government website says.

Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the central nervous system of both animals and humans.