Rabies: A closer danger than you think
Rabies is a dangerous disease that is closer than you think. It's time for us to understand this disease more so that we can...Deal safely and help stop the spread of rabies.
The causative virus
Rabies is caused by a virus called Rabies virus, which is very virulent in all mammals, including humans.
This virus is destroyed by heat, sunlight, dryness, and is also easily destroyed by soapy water.
and common germs such as alcohol, but if this type of germ enters the body in sufficient quantities, it will enter
Nervous system, causing neurological symptoms and death.
All mammals must be careful.
All mammals can be infected with rabies, including pets such as dogs, cats, rabbits, squirrels, and horses.
Livestock such as cows, buffalo, or even wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, foxes, and ferrets, etc.
Bats have also been reported to be important vectors of rabies, and rabies
Can be found all over the world
Saliva is an important source of infection.
Rabies is transmitted directly through the bite, scratch or licking of an infected animal, which infects the animal with the virus contained in its saliva.
It enters through wounds or mucous membranes, and the ability to spread through saliva can occur from 1-7 days before the animal becomes infected.
Symptoms will appear until death. There are also reports of infection between animals by ingesting milk.
It is not pasteurized, but this virus is not spread through urine and feces.
Severe neurological symptoms leading to death
From data collection, the time from infection to the onset of symptoms of the disease can be as fast as 4 days.
Or it can last up to 1 year, but most often it lasts 3 weeks - 4 months, with symptoms divided into 3 stages.
1. Initial stage Symptoms last for about 2-3 days, with mood and personality changes from before. For example, dogs that like to socialize with their owners will retreat and hide quietly, while dogs that were once afraid of people will return.Come cuddle, start having a slight fever, pupils dilated more than normal, eyes respond to light.Decreased eating and drinking, abnormal chewing or swallowing behavior
2. Excitement period That is, the symptoms of nervousness begin to appear, such as restlessness, excitement, irritation, restlessness, and indiscriminate gnawing at everything. If confined or chained, they will bite the cage or chain until their mouth bleeds, without showing any signs of pain. Their barking and howling will change.Stiffness
3. Paralysis period The chin hangs down, the tongue cannot be used, the tongue is dark red and hangs out of the mouth, and saliva flows. May show symptoms of retching as if something is stuck in the throat, weak legs, unable to balance, falling down and unable to get up, and eventually dying.
Vaccination is the most important thing
Prevention is the best and most important method because treatment in humans as well as in animals that have already shown symptoms of the disease.
It is not yet possible in Thailand, that is, when symptoms appear, death will occur. But prevention of this disease is not difficult.
It is a vaccination for pets. Dogs or cats should be vaccinated against rabies from 3 months of age and given another booster shot.
At 4 months of age, then a booster dose annually. Although there are reports of efficacy of the rabies vaccine in preventing
The disease can last up to 5 years, but since Thailand is an area where there is an outbreak, it is recommended to get vaccinated every year for people.
If you live in a risk area and are a person who has to come into contact with animals all the time, you should also get vaccinated.
In addition, do not touch, handle or feed animals with unknown history and avoid approaching animals with unusual behavior.
If bitten, scratched, licked, or exposed to saliva, do not ignore it. See a doctor immediately. When our pets are bitten by other animals, we should take them to the vet immediately.
See a veterinarian to treat the wound and consider vaccination options if your pet has been vaccinated.
Continue to protect yourself from rabies, but if you are bitten by another animal suspected of being rabid, it is currently recommended to get vaccinated.
Repeat immediately and quarantine our pet separately from others for 45 days, giving it food and water as usual.
To observe if there are any symptoms of the disease. If not, let them live a normal life and continue to be vaccinated.
Annually
In cases where our pets have never received any vaccinations before, or have not received vaccinations continuously, or have an unclear vaccination history
In this case, according to international convention, euthanasia or immediate lethal injection is required, or if the owner
If you do not want to do it, you must quarantine the dog for 6 months, vaccinate it immediately after being bitten, and observe it.
Symptoms If symptoms of the disease appear, euthanasia is performed immediately, but if no symptoms appear, 1 month before release.
Vaccinate again and then release them to live a normal life. Most importantly, they should be vaccinated regularly every year.
In the case of humans, if bitten or licked by an animal, the wound or mucous membrane must be washed immediately with soap and water.
Seek immediate medical attention for treatment and to determine if a rabies vaccine or hyperimmune serum is needed.
And if possible, the suspected animal should be quarantined and its symptoms observed.
Dangerous misunderstandings
* “Rabies only spreads in summer” is a misconception. The virus can thrive in winter.
But can be infected in any season
* “Domestic animals do not need to be vaccinated” is a misconception because all mammals are susceptible to infection.
And there may be infected animals that enter our home and bite our pets without us knowing.
Therefore, all pets should be vaccinated against rabies annually and for the best immune boosting results, they should be vaccinated at the
With a strong body
* “Get vaccinated and you will be protected from disease immediately 100%” is a misunderstanding because vaccines are viruses that have been made to not cause disease.
The injection allows the body to respond by creating its own immunity to the disease. Therefore, it takes about 2-3 weeks or more.
In order to get full immunity, and building immunity against disease also depends on the strength of the body. If the body is not strong,
It may not be possible to fully develop immunity, so even if you have been vaccinated, you should still be careful about coming into contact with strange animals.
Veterinary team
Taling Chan Animal Hospital
English