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Escarpment Magazine Fall 2012
escarpment
FOUR LEGGED FRIENDS
By DR. JACQUIE PANKATZ
Rabies
is a deadly viral disease that can infect both animals and people. It is transmitted through the saliva of
infected animals and the most common mode of infection is via an animal bite. The virus may, however, also enter
through open wounds or mucus membranes and humans can also be inadvertently exposed through the improper
handling of dead infected animals. It is shocking to learn that worldwide an average of 55,000 people die of rabies
each year, with most cases reported in the regions of Africa and Asia. According to the World Health Organization,
ninety-nine percent of the human rabies deaths are caused by rabid dogs in developing countries and about 15million
people are treated for rabies exposure annually. Once clinical symptoms develop in exposed humans, death is almost
always inevitable. Treatment for humans exposed to rabies is successful if sought out early before the virus has had a
chance to invade the nervous system. For this reason, any person bitten by an animal, whether it is from a pet or wild
animal, should contact their doctor or emergency department as soon as possible in case treatment is warranted.
Washing a wound thoroughly as soon as possible after a bite may help kill the virus before it has a chance to enter
the body. In Ontario, veterinarians are obligated by law to report known animal bite cases to the local health unit.
Pets that have bitten humans are usually quarantined for a minimum of 10 days regardless of their rabies vaccine
status and can only be released from quarantine once a public health officer has deemed it safe to do so.
Rabies is always deadly in animals. Because the virus attacks the brain and the nervous system, clinical signs can
vary from animals appearing sluggish or dopey to aggressive with biting behaviour and salivation. Because we do
not hear about rabies cases very often in our part of the world, it is quite easy to forget about keeping our pets updated
on their rabies vaccination however it is the law inOntario for all domestic cats and dogs to be vaccinated. Vaccination
is the best way to protect your pet and your family from this deadly disease. Even pets spending most of their time in-
doors may be at risk as infected bats have been known to fly into houses biting both humans and pets A rabies vaccine
is usually given anywhere form 12-16 weeks of age in our pets and then is boostered again in a year. From there it
is given yearly to every three years depending on the type of vaccine your veterinarian uses. There are also other
vaccinations that are very important to protect your pet from other serious deadly diseases so it is important to discuss
your pet’s lifestyle and travel history with your veterinarian.
Although vaccination is a very important part of your pet’s preventative health program, annual physical check-ups
are also key to keeping your pet healthy. The College of Veterinarians of Ontario requires veterinarians to perform
a physical examination of your pet before a vaccine or any other medication is administered. This rule is set in place
for the protection of our pets as some pets may have health issues that may not be readily apparent in which vaccination
at the time could make them sick. The exception to this is when Ontario veterinarians are authorized to hold a rabies
clinic where a rabies vaccination can be administered to dogs and cats without a physical examination requirement.
no
laughing
matter