Woman looks for answers after mysterious death of her dog

A London woman is looking for answers after the mysterious death of her dog. She was forced to have the animal put down within two weeks of getting a mandatory vaccine for rabies.

Lynn-Marie Birkbysaidthe loss of Preston, who's her 11-year-old cocker spaniel, was heartbreaking and said it was akin to losing part of her soul.

Lynn-Marie Birkby explains what her dog Preston meant to her

7 years ago

Duration 0:16

Lynn-Marie Birkby explains what her dog Preston meant to her

Birkby said she took Preston to get his rabies shot after a by-law officer visited her home as part of a route door-to-door check under the city's proactive pet licensing program.

Rabies shots for cats and dogs are mandatory under provincial law.The city requires dog and cat owners to get a rabies vaccination for their animalwithin two weeks of purchasing a pet license.

If an owner can't certify that their animal is immunized, then the city would not grant the pet license and the owner could be subject to a possible $90 fine, upon conviction.

Strange symptoms

Birkby said Preston started exhibiting strange symptoms within a week of getting the shot.

Lynn-Marie Birkby describes her dog's strange symptoms

7 years ago

Duration 0:31

Lynn-Marie Birkby describes her dog's strange symptoms

However a London veterinariantold CBC News that while the timing is suspicious, the dog's symptoms are unlikely to be related to the rabies vaccine.

Dr. Gillian Egli says it's unlikely a shot caused Preston's strange symptoms

7 years ago

Duration 0:44

Dr. Gillian Egli says it's unlikely a shot caused Preston's strange symptoms

"I'm very comfortable using the rabies vaccine and typically the only side effects we see are mild," said Dr. Gillian Egli, who's a veterinarian at OakridgeAnimal Care in London."It is a very safe vaccine to give."

Despite overwhelming scientific evidence that vaccines are safe, misinformation runs rampant on the Internet.

Veterinarians say any website linked to an accredited vet school or professional veterinary association would be the best bet for pet owners wanting reliable or current information.

They also urge pet owners to avoid basing their decisions on pet health based on blogs or personal websites.

Dr. Egli said the reason dogs and cats are required under provincial lawto get the rabies vaccine is to protect not only the pets, but humans too.

"Our pets are at risk for exposure to the rabies virus," she said. "The most common way they would be exposed to it would be through bats in our home, potentially skunks, foxes or raccoons."

• Rabies investigations climbing steadily in the London region

Rabies is a lethal disease that is passed through the saliva of the infected subject. It could spread through bites and scratches but can also be transmitted if the saliva comes into contact with the eyes, mouth, or nose.

For about a decade, Ontario had recorded no rabies cases at all until 2015, when an infected raccoon from New York is believed to have stowed away on a transport truck and smuggled itself into the province.

Since then Ontario has been grappling to contain an outbreak of the disease, which has affected the raccoon population in the Hamilton area and even a number of cows in Perth County.

• Another cow tests positive for rabies in Perth County

• Second rabid cat found in Hamilton; public health advises caution around stray animals