Two Children Bitten by Rabid Cat at Southeast Minnesota Farm
It was taken to a local veterinarian before testing positive for rabies at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in St. Paul.
St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News)- Two children were bitten by a rabid cat at a southeast Minnesota farm recently.
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That’s according to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health. A news release from the agency says the biting occurred on June 29 and that a test of the cat’s carcass confirmed the presence of rabies on July 2.
Rabid Cat Euthanized After Biting Children, Attacking Dog at Mower County Farm
The children were bitten at a farm in Mower County. Officials say the family noticed a usually approachable outdoor cat acting abnormally on June 28.
It had clawed onto the neck of a dog also living at the farm. Officials do not know if the dog was bitten but say the pet did suffer neck scratches.
The owner shot the cat after it bit the children. It was taken to a local veterinarian before testing positive for rabies at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in St. Paul.
The news release says the children began post-exposure treatment on June 29. Officials determined the children were the only people bitten by the rabid cat.
The dog, which was overdue for a rabies vaccine, was the only known pet to be exposed to the cat. Officials say the dog was given a booster shot and ordered to be quarantined for 45 days and to be observed.
Other unvaccinated outdoor cats at the property were not believed to have been attacked by the rabid cat, however the owner decided to euthanize the cats out of an abundance of caution since they were likely exposed, the news release says.
The news release does not say where in Mower County the farm is. The ages of the children are not available.
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