7th rabies case reported in Gaston County | Pets

GASTONIA - A cat in Gaston County has tested positive for rabies after a vet hospital called the county requesting tests on a woman's sick cat.

On Friday, the Gaston County Police Department Animal Control Division received a call from Lineberger Veterinary Hospital requesting a cat belonging to Penny Esenwein of the 5300 block of Hickory Grove Road near Stanley be tested for rabies.

The cat had been seen by both Lineberger Veterinary Hospital and the Veterinary Emergency Clinic and was euthanized by the Veterinary Emergency Clinic, according to a news release from Gaston County Police.  

Animal Control impounded the cat carcass and processed it for rabies testing at the State Diagnostics Lab in Raleigh.  Laboratory officials reported on Tuesday, November 22nd that the cat had tested positive for rabies.

North Carolina State Law requires any unvaccinated dogs or cats exposed to a positive rabies vector be destroyed or quarantined for a 6-month period at owner’s expense.  

Gaston County Health officials have been notified and Animal Control will be canvassing the immediate area to advise residents of the incident and to verify pet rabies vaccinations.

Gaston County now has seven confirmed cases of rabies for 2011.