by DENVER — People who attended a puppy adoption event in Englewood last month are being urged to contact state health officials because of possible exposure to rabies, officials with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) said Friday.
The event, hosted by Moms and Mutts Colorado (MAMCO) Rescue for Pregnant and Nursing Dogs, took place Saturday, July 20, at 2721 W. Oxford Ave. in Englewood, a CDPHE spokesperson said.
Anyone who has had contact with the July Shepherd Mix litter (also known as “The Celebrity Kids”) is encouraged to call the health department’s hotline at 303-692-2700 during business hours, or 303-370-9395 outside of business hours/weekends/holidays to determine if they should get a rabies vaccination. Individuals can also email [email protected].
State health officials said animals that have already been vaccinated against rabies and may have been in contact with the litter of puppies may need a booster shot.
CDPHE officials said the rabies-positive puppy arrived in Colorado from Texas and has since been euthanized, as that is the only way to test an animal for rabies.
In a letter, MAMCO said the puppy was from the Celebrity Kids litter and had not shown symptoms until July 29. He presented as rabid on August 1. According to the rescue, the puppy was last with other puppies at an adoption event on July 20.
MAMCO said: “Rabies is extremely rare and this is the first time we have been faced with such a horrific situation. You have no reason to worry about your adopted puppy or any of the available puppies.”
What is rabies and why is CDPHE urging participants to contact it?
The rabies virus is shed in the saliva of infected animals and is almost always fatal if not treated promptly after exposure, health officials say.
People or animals can get rabies from a bite or scratch from a rabid animal or from a rabid animal’s saliva if it gets in their eyes, nose, mouth or open wounds, in which case immediate medical attention is needed, according to the CDC.
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