CHICAGO — The doggy day care affected by the “unprecedented” rabies case has been identified and over 90 pet owners have been contacted. At this time, 13 people have had direct contact.
The exposure happened at the Bow Wow Lounge, located at 5135 N. Ravenswood Ave., during this month.
The dog was euthanized on Dec. 18 due to the increased behavior issues. A week prior, on Dec. 11, the dog bit someone in the household.
NewsNation affiliate WGN spoke with the chief veterinary officer of Bow Wow’s parent company, Dr. Rory Lubold.
He calls the situation “unprecedented” and “really crummy” and said everyone did everything right.
“Our understanding is the bite on the 11th wasn’t aggressive and was more play,” Lubold said. “It’s always hard to know in the early stages of behavior with rabies cases.”
He went on the say the family caught it early.
WGN spoke with a member of the day care whose dog had a direct exposure. The person, who is remaining anonymous, were told their dog’s stay overlapped with the infected dog on the 8th, 10th with the direct exposure happening on the 15th.
“I was shocked and didn’t believe it at first because it’s so unreal,” they said.
The information packet families were sent states that the dog attended the day care from Dec. 5 to Dec. 15. The dog was current on its rabies vaccination at the time of diagnosis.
Health officials said the dog was believed to be infectious from Dec. 7 through Dec. 18. Rabies in dogs can spread from bites or saliva entering the other dog’s eyes, nose or mouth through direct contact.
Bow Wow wrote that it’s a “reminder that while vaccines are highly effective, no vaccine provides absolute protection.”
Cook County has contacted over 90 pet owners from Bow Wow and reported that 13 people have had direct exposures at this time. Those individuals have begun post-exposure prophylaxis — which is highly effective before symptoms in humans appear. Once symptoms appear, the infection is almost always fatal in humans.
No one in the group is experiencing any symptoms at this time.
Pet owners that had their dogs exposed are being asked to quarantine their pets for 45 days while monitoring the following symptoms. They are also recommending any dog in contact should get a booster vaccine.
- Unusual aggression or irritability
- Excessive drooling or difficulty swallowing
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Disorientation or lack of coordination
- Paralysis or weakness
- Sudden behavior changes
The incubation period for rabies in animals is typically 20 to 60 days, but can last up to one year.