North-West University: NWU Animal Health and Mahikeng SPCA provide rabies vaccinations

The subject group Animal Health on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus, in collaboration with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Mahikeng, recently visited the Lekaleng village close to the campus to offer free rabies vaccinations.

Rabies is a fatal virus that affects humans and is typically transmitted through an animal bite or by the saliva of infected animals. Dogs, bats, coyotes, foxes, skunks and raccoons are the animals most prone to transmit rabies, and symptoms include fever, headache, excessive salivation, muscle spasms, paralysis and mental confusion.

Before the coronavirus pandemic the subject group Animal Health used to organise regular vaccination events for animals, and this was the first time after two years that they were able to do it again.

The subject group and master’s students organised a mobile clinic and invited community members to bring their dogs and cats for rabies vaccinations at the Lekaleng village sports grounds.

“We managed to vaccinate more than 100 dogs and two cats during the outreach, and we really appreciate the Mahikeng SPCA’s assistance,” says Dr Rebecca Quam, Animal Health Veterinary doctor.