UNDERSTANDING RABIES AND HOW TO PREVENT IT

For this World Rabies Day, let’s shed light on one of the most dangerous diseases that can affect our beloved dogs—rabies. Understanding the signs of rabies and learning how to prevent it are crucial steps in protecting both your pets and the people around you. This blog will guide you on how to recognize rabies and what actions you can take to ensure the safety of your furry friends and community.

 

How Do Dogs Get Rabies?

Rabies is secreted through saliva and then passes to canines through a bite from an infected animal. They can also become infected if they have a scratch or open wound that’s exposed to contaminated saliva. Once the rabies virus enters the body, it travels to the brain and attacks the nervous system.

Rabies is an incurable virus that attacks the brain and spinal cord. While it’s preventable and even treatable if caught early on, once the symptoms of rabies appear, the virus is fatal. 

Once the virus enters a dog’s body, it travels through the nerves to the brain during the incubation period, which can range from two weeks to several months. During this time, dogs do not show any symptoms. However, once the virus reaches the brain and symptoms begin to appear, the disease is fatal. At this stage, the virus also spreads to the salivary glands, making the animal infectious to others.

Rabies is considered to be a neglected disease, which is 100% fatal though 100% preventable. It is not among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in the country but it is regarded as a significant public health problem because –

  1. It is one of the most acutely fatal infections 
  2. It is responsible for the death of 200-300 Filipinos annually.

A deadly viral disease that can infect all mammals.  The virus attacks the nervous system and damages the brain. If left untreated, infected animals and humans can die from it. Transmitted through saliva from an infected mammal, usually through a bite or scratch.

Preventable in both humans and animals through vaccination and timely treatment after exposure.

 

How to Prevent Rabies in Dogs

There are ways you can help make rabies control and prevention a priority and make sure you protect yourself, your family, and your community.

      1. Educate – take a step and drive awareness
      2. Vaccinate – erase the disease, end rabies, and save lives.
      3. Responsible Pet Ownership – Supervise your pet’s interactions and prevent encounters with unknown animals

Rabies is a deadly infectious disease that can be transferred from animals to humans, but it can be effectively prevented. 

Vaccination is key, as rabies cannot be cured once contracted. In many areas, it’s legally required to vaccinate your dog between 12 and 16 weeks of age, with a booster shot a year later. Local health regulations will determine how often your dog needs a booster shot, which may be every one to three years.

The rabies vaccine is highly effective in preventing the disease. It’s crucial to ensure your dog stays up to date on their vaccinations to safeguard them and others.

Aside from vaccination, you can reduce your dog’s risk of exposure by keeping them indoors and on a leash when outside. It is also important to notify animal control if you see any strays in your area, as they may not be vaccinated.

Prevention is better than cure! Rabies is entirely preventable through vaccination

 

WHAT IF BITTEN, SCRATCHED BY, OR HAVE CONTACT WITH AN ANIMAL?

 

Your doctor should examine any animal bites. Immediate medical attention may not always be possible, but you should get the bite checked by your doctor as soon as possible. Once a bite has occurred, it’s important to be on the lookout for signs or symptoms of infection.

At the time a potentially rabid animal bites you, there’s no way to know whether the animal has transmitted the rabies virus to you. It’s common not to find bite marks, too. Your doctor may order many tests to detect the rabies virus, but they may need to be repeated later to confirm whether you’re carrying the virus. Your doctor will likely recommend treatment as soon as possible to prevent the rabies virus from infecting your body if there’s a chance you may have been exposed to the rabies virus.

If YOU are Bitten, Scratched, or have Contact with an Animal:

  1. Obtain the owner’s address and telephone number if possible.
  2. Immediately wash the wound thoroughly, cleaning and flushing with plenty of soap and water for several minutes.
  3. Immediately report all animal bites to your animal control agency, police department of health department for follow-up.
  4. Identify and continue to observe the animal (if wild or stray) to aid its eventual capture, but do not risk exposure again.
  5. Get prompt medical attention.  Call your family doctor or go to the nearest emergency room.

 

If Pets are Bitten, Scratched, or have contact with a Wild Animal:

  1. Call your pet away from the animal.
  2. Confine the wild animal, if possible.  (Do not touch it or risk exposing yourself.)
  3. To prevent exposure of saliva to an open wound, it is recommended that you do not handle pets, touch or examine your dog or cat for at least two hours following the fight.
  4. If you must handle your pet shortly after a fight, wear heavy gloves and afterwards be sure to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water.  Then contact your doctor or local health department for advice to determine whether or not there may have been any direct exposure to the rabies.
  5. Contact your local or community animal control agency immediately for advice about testing the wild animal for rabies and follow-up for your pet.

 

What if my pet has bitten someone?

  1. Urge the victim to see a physician immediately and to follow the physician’s recommendations.
  2. Check with your veterinarian to determine if your pet’s vaccinations are up-to-date.
  3. Report the bite to the local health department and animal control authorities. Local regulations may require that your pet is confined and isolated for monitoring for signs of rabies.
  4. Immediately report any illness or unusual behavior by your pet to the local health department and to your veterinarian.
  5. Don’t let your pet stray and don’t give your pet away. The animal must be available for observation by public health authorities or a veterinarian.
  6. After the observation period, have your pet vaccinated for rabies if its vaccination is not current.