TURNER, Mont. (NMB) – A 4-H rabies clinic has been set for this Tuesday in Turner.
This clinic will allow pet owners to purchase rabies and distemper vaccines for dogs and cats, as well as lepto and bordatella vaccines for dogs.
Chinook-area Veterinarian Jessica Robb says providing these vaccines to cats and dogs is a matter of public health. She adds that there is currently an outbreak of canine distemper on the Hi-Line.
“Some of these diseases that we are vaccinating for can be spread to humans, the main one being rabies. The other thing right now in this area, we’ve got a distemper outbreak in dogs going on. Distemper is a really nasty virus that causes a lot of respiratory symptoms, runny nose, runny eyes, but can also infect the dog’s brain, causing seizures and potentially death. We’ve actually seen some puppies lately that aren’t doing well and not making it. So we’re trying to slow this distemper outbreak down.”
Deworming will also be available, as will flea and tick products.
Robb says this clinic will allow local pet owners in the Turner area to get their pets vaccinated to without needing to travel.
“It’s nice for us to be able to go up their and offer a day where people can bring their dogs and cats to us, get updated on their vaccines. And then part of the proceeds go to the 4-H program that’s up there. So, they come and help us out with getting pets checked in, making sure we’re doing the right vaccines for the right pets. And then helping us restrain them, hold them, give them treats while we’re poking them.”
The clinic will take place from 11 AM to 2 PM at the Old Fire Hall in Turner.
Organizers expect upwards of 30 animals to be vaccinated at the clinic this year.
The average cost for each vaccine is around $20-25.
