CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – A dog from the Clarksville-Montgomery County area has tested positive for rabies.

According to Montgomery County Animal Care and Control (MCAC) Director Jeanette Farrell, the owner brought the pit bull type dog to Family Pet Hospital over the weekend because it was acting suspicious.

Jim Burchett, veterinarian and owner of Family Pet Hospital, said the dog was displaying abnormal neurological symptoms including excessive salivation, imbalance, difficulty swallowing, and muscle spasms.

Because the veterinarians suspected rabies, the dog was euthanized and decapitated. The dog’s head was sent to a lab in Nashville for test results, which came back positive Tuesday.

Farrell said this is the only way to test an animal for rabies.

She also said the dog had not been vaccinated.

She said the dog was residing with another dog at their home on Oak Plains Rd. in Montgomery County. The second dog has been placed under quarantine, and euthanasia of the second dog will be left to the discretion of the vet.

Burchett said five employees at Family Pet Hospital were exposed to the dog’s saliva and will receive post-exposure medical treatment. He stressed that the rabies virus can potentially be transferred to humans. If left untreated or detected too late, it can be fatal to both pets and humans.

“By the time you show clinical signs of rabies, it’s usually too late,” Burchett said.

This is the fourth case of rabies reported in Middle Tennessee since January, according to Burchett. He said this is the first time he has encountered a positive test result in his 17 years of veterinary practice.

Pets typically contract rabies from wildlife. Burchett said skunks, raccoons, and bats are the top three carriers of the virus in the state of Tennessee.

Farrell said the best way to prevent the spread of rabies is to make sure all cats and dogs are vaccinated, which is required by state law.

“Animal Control wants to remind everyone that March is Rabies Vaccination Month here in Montgomery County. All local vets are participating in discounted rabies vaccinations. It is a state law to have your animals vaccinated from the age of three months on up,” she said.

All local veterinary offices are offering rabies vaccinations for $13 throughout the month of March.

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