Rabies: What kids need to know!BY: JONATHAN O. CHUA

WHAT IS RABIES? Rabies is a dangerous

disease caused by a virus.

Any mammal can get rabies.

If a person or animal getsrabies, they will almost alwaysdie from it.

Rabies is a 100% vaccine

preventable disease.

HOW RABIES VIRUS INFECTS?

Rational for Rabies Immunization

Pre-exposure Pre-exposure immunization is recommended for persons

whose vocational or avocational activities increase their exposure to animals which may be rabid.

Veterinarians, veterinary technicians, animal wardens, hunters and trappers.

Pre-exposure immunization protects against unknown exposures.

Pre-exposure immunization allows for a rapid rise in

rabies titer if followed by vaccination or exposure.

Rational for Rabies ImmunizationPost-exposure Long incubation period of rabies allows us to immunize

exposed individuals before the brain is affected, but it is most effective when begun early after exposure.

Use of HRIG provides immediate passive immunization for 7 to 10 days, until the vaccine can induce active immunity.

Local infiltration of HRIG is intended to prevent tissue fixation of the virus, but it is only effective immediately after a biting incident.

Clinical Course

Incubation periods vary with virus strain, dosage on inoculum and host species.

Man - 3 to 66 weeks on average, but maybe up to a year

Dogs - 3 to 8 weeks average, but maybe up to 6 months

Cats - 9 to 51 days

Skunks - 22 to 177 days

Foxes - 12 to 153 days

Bats - 6 to 145 days

Bovines - 20 to 165 days

Typical syndrome; disposition change, irritably, dysphasia, incoordination progressing to either the furious or dumb form followed by paralysis, coma and death.

Control of Rabies

In domestic animals, rabies control is based upon

vaccination, quarantine, stray control and

education.

Rabies vaccine must be evaluated for safety.

Veterinarians Responsibility in Rabies Control

Actively assist in planning and executing local rabies control programs including health education.

Examine the biting dog or cat initially and take the following actions:

Observe and record any clinical symptoms of the animal.

Notify the health department of the examination results.

Advise the owner on the best means of confinement and observation.

And Finally

Veterinarians Responsibility in Rabies Control

Re-examine the dog or cat during the ten day observation period

Notify the health department as soon as possible if a diagnosis of rabies is possible.

Confirmation of the diagnosis of rabies is NOT needed.

If the dog or cat exhibits no symptoms of rabies at the end of the 10 day observation period, report to the health department that the animal was not capable of transmitting rabies at the time of the bite and recommend that it be released from confinement.

Veterinarians Responsibility in Rabies Control

Remember that in the 10 day observation period

you are not trying to confirm a diagnosis before

you call the health department. You are looking

for any signs which may in any way be

compatible with rabies.

Do NOT wait for an animal to die or exhibit signs more

definite signs.

Do NOT wait until you can confirm some other diagnosis.

Veterinarians Responsibility in Rabies Control

Educate clients on the advantages of dog and cat immunization and dangers of allowing pets to run loose.

Encouraging rabies immunization is not only ethical, but actually the responsibility of the veterinarian.

Notify the health department of all animal bites and suspected rabies cases.

Inform clients of the possibility of rabies when treating bite wounds on their animals.

Veterinarians Responsibility in Rabies Control

Remember that the 10 day observation period is only possible for dogs and

cats.

In other species, rabies virus may be shed

over a more variable period of time.

Other species should be sacrificed and sent

to the laboratory for examination as soon as

possible.

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Vaccinate your pet regularly: you owe it to your pet

RESPONSIBILITIES OF A

PET OWNER

MUST HAVE Rabies Vaccine with

proper storage

Sterile Syringes and needles

Alcohol

Cotton

Epinephrine

Tibay at

Lakas ng Loob

SYRINGE AND NEEDLE ANATOMY

HOW TO PROPERLY VACCINATE

DOGS?

Proper restraining procedure is a must.

Dont be a hero if the owner cannot restraint or properly hold its dog or cat during vaccination.

Never touch an unfamiliar or wild animal.

Clean the area where vaccine will be administered.

Pinch the skin and form a triangle for ease of administration

Position the syringe at 45 angle

PROPER RESTRAINING TECHNIQUE

Site of Vaccine Administration

PROTECT YOUR PETS

Vaccinate your pet dog, cat, or ferret Always leash your dog. Tell an adult if you see a wild or stray animal

acting strangely.

If your pet gets bitten by an animal, call your vet right away.

Get your pets spayed or neutered.

Frequently Asked Questions

(FAQs to you)

Mas malakas po ba ang rabies ng tuta kesa sa mas may edad na

aso?

Pag ba nakapag pabakuna na ng anti-rabies vaccine, okay lang

na makakagat na?

Ilang days po bago pwedeng paliguan ang mga aso or pusa pag

ka tapos mapakunahan?

Anong edad ng aso para pwede pabakunahan?

Pwede po ba ang anti-rabies vaccine sa buntis?

Tuwing kelan po nag bibigay ng anti-rabies vaccine?