COTABATO CITY: MARCH IS RABIES AWARENESS MONTH

RABIES IN MAN

A highly fatal disease caused by a virus from the saliva of an infected animal and is characterized by hydrophobia, muscle spasm and paralysis.

The rabies virus is transmitted to man through bite by an infected animal, usually the dog, or through contamination with virus laden saliva on breaks in the skin and of the eyes, lips and mouth.

WHEN BITTEN BY A DOG

1.    Wash the wound immediately with soap and water.

2.    Consult a physician or call the nearest Animal Bite Center.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES OF PET OWNERS

1.    Have your dog regularly vaccinated against rabies starting at 3 months of age and every year thereafter.

2.    Maintain a registration card which shall contain all vaccinations conducted for accurate record purposes.

3.    Submit your dog for mandatory registration.

4.    Maintain control over your dog and do not allow it to roam the streets or any public places without a leash.

5.    Be a responsible owner by providing your dog with proper grooming, adequate food and clean shelter.

6.    Within 24 hours, report immediately any dog biting incident to the concerned officials for any appropriate action and place such dog under observation by a government or private veterinarian.

RABIES IN ANIMALS

Rabies is a dangerous disease of animals transmissible to humans through bites of infected animals.

Rabies is transmitted to other animals through contact with virus-laden saliva by biting or licking.

SIGN OF CANINE RABIES

There are two forms of rabies:

A.   FURIOUS TYPE

1.    Change from friendly disposition into wild vicious behavior

2.    Whinning as if in pain

3.    Foaming of the mouth

4.    If on leash, bites objects within its reach, if caged, bites even the cage

5.    Difficulty in eating or drinking

6.    Restlessness

7.    Runs aimlessly; bites anyone or anything on its path

8.    Snaps at imaginary objects

B.   DUMB TYPE

1.    Becomes lethargic and depressed. Hides in dark, quite places, sluggish or sleepy.

2.    Refuses to eat

3.    Appears to be starting at a distant object

4.    The lower jaw drops, the tongues hangs, and salivates continuously

5.    Difficulty in swallowing / drinking

6.    Lameness

7.    Difficulty in breathing

8.    Dies suddenly without any signs

MANAGEMENT OF THE BITING DOG

1.    Restrain the dog with a leash or confine in a cage.

2.    Observe the dog for 14 days for any signs of rabies or submit the dog to a licensed veterinarian for observation.

3.    Do not kill the dog. It is better to wait for the dog to die naturally.

4.    If the dog dies within 14 days, call a veterinarian for proper submission of the sample to the nearest Diagnostic Laboratory.