HOW CAN YOU PREVENT RABIES IN ANIMALS?
Remember that rabies is entirely preventable through vaccination.
Once the rabies virus enters the body, it travels along the nerves to the brain. Animals with rabies may show a variety of signs, including fearfulness, aggression, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, staggering, paralysis and seizures. Aggressive behavior is common, but rabid animals may also be uncharacteristically affectionate. Horses and livestock with rabies also may exhibit depression, self-mutilation, or increased sensitivity to light.
Rabid wild animals may lose their natural fear of humans, and display unusual behavior; for example, an animal that is usually only seen at night may be seen wandering in the daytime.
Although the most common signs of rabies are behavioral changes and unexplained paralysis, rabies should be considered in all cases of unexplained neurological disease. There is no treatment once the clinical signs of rabies appear.
Once signs of rabies appear, the disease is almost always fatal. However, rabies can be prevented if early treatment is administered. If in contact with an animal with possible rabies, you must contact the health department or a medical facility for advice on rabies prevention treatment.
Rabies infection of an animal can only be confirmed after death, through microscopic examination of the animal’s brain.
Treatment includes a first dose of vaccine and another protective injection. Then 4 more doses of vaccine are administered over 28 days.
Tips to Prevent Rabies
- Remember that rabies is entirely preventable through vaccination. Vaccinate dogs and cats against rabies as required by law. All dogs and cats more than four months of age must be vaccinated against rabies. Keep vaccinations current at all times.
- Reduce the possibility of exposure to rabies by not letting your pets roam free Keep dogs and cats under control. Animal control laws prohibit allowing animals to roam unsupervised. Roaming pets are more likely to have been exposed to rabies than those supervised by their owners. Spaying or neutering your pet may decrease roaming tendencies and will prevent them from contributing to the birth of unwanted animals.
- Leave stray or unknown dogs and cats alone. Loose animals are more likely to have been exposed to rabies and to attack others. Keep pets away from strays, too.
- Wild animals should never be kept as pets. Not only may this be illegal, but wild animals pose a potential rabies threat to caretakers and to others. Local laws prohibit acquiring of keeping such animals as pets. There are no approved vaccines or known quarantine for wild animals.
- Leave wild animals alone. Avoid wild animals even if they appear friendly, and do not coax a wild animal to eat from your hand. Do not fear wild animals, just respect and stay away from them. A rabid wild animal may appear tame but don’t go near it. Teach children NEVER to handle unfamiliar animals—even if they appear friendly. If you see a wild animal acting strangely, report it to the city or community animal control department. Animal bite can be avoided.
- Make your property unattractive to wild animals. Cap chimneys and seal off any openings in attics, under porches and in basements. Feed your pets indoors and keep trash cans tightly closed. Don’t leave exposed garbage or pet food outside, as it may attract wild or stray animals. It’s all about a matter of proper management.
Visit your veterinarian as early recognition, diagnosis, and treatment are essential.
You may also visit – https://www.facebook.com/angkopparasahayop
