Meeting attended by Shirley Highfill, Jane Giffin, Liz Ciocea,
GUEST Dr. Thomas Ulhig Twin Cedars Veterinary Clinic
GROWLS is now a part of the BC Community Bat Program. At this time Bats are the only reservoir for Rabies within BC. Any calls about dead bats are to be documented. Dead bats where there has been no contact between persons or animals are to be collected and sent to Cait Nelson Nanaimo ministry biologist.
If the bat has come into contact with humans then the person must call their Doctor immediately or after hours Island Healthy Authority 1 800 204-6166 for advice. If an animal has been or suspected to have been in contact with a bat they should call their veterinarian or after hours BCCDC 604 829-2110 or 604 312-9220. Bats should be collected wearing gloves double plastic bagged and drop off at their Vets clinic or call GROWLS for referral.
Three Bats sent from Gabriola tested positive for Rabies. One incidence was a multi animal household and the dead bat was found on the porch. All the animals had to go for rabies shots and were confined to the household.
Dr. Ulhig was invited to give a talk about Rabies to GROWLS at the September meeting with a further plan to have an evening later in September with Dr. Ulhig and invite the public to attend. Dr.Ulhig has even offered to make available the possibility of a special clinic to vaccinate domestic animals cats/dogs.
GROWLS dispatcher has copy of all pertinent information as growls has had several calls about Bats dead or otherwise. These calls will be documented by growls then referred to BC Community Bat Coordinator Liz ciocea for follow up.
Meeting ended at 14:45.