According to a recent report issued by the Kentucky State Veterinarian’s office, the number of reported cases of rabies rose from 45 in 2008 to 46 in 2009. However, the number of cases has doubled in the last five years.

Two of the confirmed cases of rabies in 2009 were horses. Veterinarians warn that even counties not reporting cases of rabies could be home to rabid animals that pose a danger to all domestic animals.

“The important thing everybody needs to understand is that just because there’s not a reported case in the county doesn’t mean there is not potential for rabies in literally every county in Kentucky,” said Craig Carter, DVM, PhD, director of the Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center (LDDC).

Carter said although the LDDC does not conduct rabies testing, it will harvest samples and forward them to the state veterinarian laboratory in Frankfort