Dog Rabies

The rabies virus affects dogs and all other warm-blooded animals. In wildlife animals, rabies is  commonly seen in foxes, skunks, raccoons and bats. Each of these species carries a variant strain of the rabies virus. All of these strains can affect animals. Domesticated animals such as cows, horses, dogs and cats commonly act as a source for human infections but people can be infected from wildlife sources as well, particularly bats.
Rabies Control

The first step to controlling rabies in dogs an other pets is vaccination. All healthy pets should be vaccinated. The rabies vaccine is very effective, inexpensive, and is usually given every 3 years. In horses, it is usually given every year. In most localities, the law requires rabies vaccinations for all pets.

The second step to rabies control is a thorough understanding of this terrible disease so that risk exposures or contact can be prevented. The third step toward controlling rabies is cooperation between veterinarians, the public, the public health system, and those government agencies who  monitor and control rabies on a regional level. For example, in some parts of Canada, bait is dropped from airplanes into rural or countryside areas so that wildlife will eat the bait (disguised as food treats) laced with an effective protective vaccine. Public health departments also track and manage human exposures. Rabies moves to and from animals and people through a bite wound or through breaks in the skin or mucous membranes. It’s thought people can become infected by breathing air around bats, such as in bat caves where the virus is suspended in droplets in the air.
Rabies Treatment

Rabies is almost always fatal. However, if a dog or person is bitten by a rabid animal and begins treatment prior to experiencing symptoms, there is an effective post-exposure treatment, which involves an injection of immune globulin and several rabies vaccines given to the infected victim over a 28-day period.
Disease Progression

Once the rabies virus enters the body of the animal or person, it travels to the central nervous system along the nerve fibres. It sets up a base in the brain and spreads back out into the body using the nerves to move around. The virus particles end up in many body tissues. Of particular importance are the salivary glands. Once rabies viruses enter the salivary glands they're present in large numbers in saliva and are easily spread between animals or people via licking or biting.
Rabies Symptoms

Once infected, dogs and other animals may show widely differing symptoms depending on what stage of the infection they are in. Early in the infection they appear completely normal. This pre-symptom phase can last for long periods of time. A bite on the face will tend to lead to a shorter prodromal phase since the virus is close to the brain, while a bite on the tip of the tail or paw may result in a long phase because it takes longer for the virus to travel to and from the brain.

For a few days at the very end of this prodromal or normal-behaviour phase, rabid dogs and animals can pass the virus on to other animals or people. This is the greatest time of risk because the typical rabies behaviours are absent. Once clinical signs of illness start, the animal only has about a week to live. Typically a phase occurs where rabid animals becomes very nasty, and will be irritable and snap and bite without being provoked or bothered. They may attack. This phase is termed furious rabies because the animal seems uncontrollably angry. Finally, the animal becomes progressively paralyzed, termed dumb rabies, and dies because the muscles for control of swallowing and breathing, amongst others, lose their function.

Unfortunately, not all cases follow typical progressive symptoms. For example, rabid cats often become overly friendly and affectionate rather than vicious. They can snuggle up to a child and suddenly lash out with teeth and claws after appearing quiet and nice. A dog may just show what appears to be a paralyzed tongue hanging out. The dog may be quiet, with jaw hanging open and saliva dribbling out of the mouth. One might think he had something like a stick stuck in the roof of his mouth! How about a cow that is restless, foaming at the mouth and when approached, is irritable and grabs a person? Though cows do not have a pile of sharp teeth at the front of their mouth like dogs or cats, this can result in a bite that breaks the skin. How about a pony in a petting facility that gets "nippy" and bites those passing by? Affected animals may also have trouble drinking or eating, and run a fever.

Do these stories sound far fetched? They are all cases veterinarians have seen in practice, so never forget that any animal acting in any unusual fashion can be showing signs of rabies! That is why rabies is called the great pretender. It can look like many other conditions, and can be very different from the vicious biting rabid animal image we hear about.

2:56 AM | 0 komentar | Read More

Rabies and Your Dog

Rabies is a serious viral disease seen in mammals that adversely affects the central nervous system, leading to death. Rabies is a zoonotic disease that is typically transmitted through bites from infected animals. The majority of reported cases involve wild animals like bats, raccoons and skunks, but domesticated animals like dogs and cats are also at risk. Humans are equally susceptible to the rabies virus if bitten by an infected animal. Once the symptoms have appeared, Rabies is nearly always fatal. Death usually occurs less than a week after the onset of signs.
Rabies Transmission:
The rabies virus is transmitted through the saliva of an infected mammal, or host. Contact with the eyes, nose or mouth can technically pass on the virus, but these instances are rare. A bite from the host is the most likely and common way for an animal or person to contract rabies. The infected saliva travels through the nerves and spinal cord towards the brain. The virus then incubates in the body for 3 to 8 weeks (depending on species), with no symptoms of the disease present. Once the brain is infected by rabies, the virus multiplies and spreads to the salivary glands and the symptoms of rabies appear.
Symptoms of Rabies:
Rabies symptoms tend to vary, so affected dogs may not show all the signs. Initial signs include behavior and personality changes, fearfulness, anxiety, shyness, withdrawal from people and other animals, and licking the site of the original bite wound. Signs progress to restlessness, agitation and overreaction to sights and sounds. These lead to to full-blown aggression, then disorientation followed by seizures. Dogs may also experience paralysis in the head and neck area. This causes inability to swallow, resulting in excess salivation, or "foaming at the mouth," and respiratory distress. Sadly, death soon follows.
Diagnosing Rabies:
The only way to definitively diagnose rabies in dogs is through a direct fluorescent antibody test (dFA) using samples of brain tissue that can only be obtained after death. In humans, multiple extensive tests can be run with samples of saliva, blood, hair and skin, but these are not absolute, nor are they available for animals. Diagnosis in living animals is presumptive and based upon clinical signs and patient history. In pets that have been exposed to rabies, a quarantine period may be necessary to watch for signs of the disease, particularly in unvaccinated pets. Those no vaccine history are usually euthanized.
Rabies Treatment:
Unfortunately, there is no cure or effective treatment for rabies. Animals with obvious and advanced signs of rabies must be euthanized. This is to avoid unnecessary suffering in the animal and to prevent further transmission of the disease to humans and other animals.

Humans exposed to rabies need to undergo a regimen called postexposure prophylaxis (PEP), a series of injections that include immune globulin and rabies vaccine. However, PEP is not affective in humans after symptoms are noted. As with animals, rabies is almost always fatal once the signs appear. Supportive care is the only option at this point.
Preventing Rabies:
Prevention is key when it comes to rabies. Fortunately, it is also quite simple. First and foremost, dogs and other pets should receive routine rabies vaccines. The traditional rabies vaccine was given yearly, but recent concern regarding possible over-vaccination in pets led to the development of a three-year rabies vaccine. Talk to your vet about your options and find out what the law in your area mandates.

Rabies vaccines are also available for humans, though the protocol is more complicated. Therefore, the vaccine is typically only given to people who work with pets or wildlife, or those who travel to areas with high exposure risk. However, people who have received the vaccine with still need PEP after exposure to rabies.

Next to vaccination, minimizing exposure is the best way to prevent rabies. Do not allow your dog to roam out of your sight, especially in wooded areas where wild animal encounters are more common. Keep your dog on a leash, and avoid interactions with unknown animals. If your dog does get an animal bite, see your vet right away.

Preventing rabies in humans is equally important. Learn about dog bite prevention and teach your children how to be cautious. Bites to humans should be addressed immediately by a physician.

If a bite occurs, try your best to obtain as much information as possible about the offending animal, whether the bite victim is a pet or a human. If the biter was someone's pet, get their contact information and find out about the vaccine history and possible past exposure to rabies. If it was a wild animal, you may not be able to find out much unless that wild animal is dead. Either way, local authorities should be notified of the situation.

Despite how deadly and dangerous the rabies virus is, fortunately it is easily preventable. Remember: vaccinate your pets, minimize their exposure and yours. Arm yourself with knowledge to keep your whole family safe - pets and humans alike.

2:55 AM | 0 komentar | Read More

Hundreds of monkeys is prohibited to Java

Hundreds of long-tailed macaques aka monkey (Macaca fascicularis) from Kampung Bungus, Padang, West Sumatra, banned from the island of Java, Ape-ape was about to be sent to Bogor.

According to the Head of Animal Quarantine in Merak Agus Sunanto, rejection of the animal entered the island of Java, especially in relation to the Minister of Agriculture Regulation No. 566 of 2004 on Rabies Free Zone. "In this area of ​​DKI Jakarta, West Java and Banten free of rabies, while the monkey is from a rabies endemic area," said Agus.

Wild animals are carried by a truck driver Fuso bernopol BA 9152 SL, Robby Mamuja (24). Originally the monkeys aged one and two years it will go to PT Bio Medical Sukahati Street, Pajelaran, Cibinong, Bogor, West Java.

Actually, said Agus, since the truck was passing in Bandarlampung, local quarantine officials have banned hall Robby brought the animals to the island of Java. But the reckless driver to continue traveling. "Finally the officer Quarantine Central Lampung Ngebel us. Merak officer Together, we then wait for him here," he said.

After three hours detained in the Central Animal Quarantine in Merak, long-tailed monkeys were sent to the Natural Resources Conservation Center (KSDA), Lampung. According to Agus, all cases of animal-related activities in the port of Merak menyelundupan handled BKSDA Lampung. "Although equipped with the letters, the animals are not allowed entry to the island of Java," said Agus, who admitted to not knowing exactly going to do with the animals.

Measures to thwart the smuggling of long-tailed monkey from Sumatra to Java, how many times occur. In 2006, for example, as many as 60 long-tailed macaques were detained in the Central Quarantine Peacock. Video attempts to smuggle such animals even have been circulating on Youtube.

In Indonesia there are an estimated 41 species of primates, ranging from the orangutan (Pongo) in northern Sumatra and Kalimantan to the smallest, namely Tangkasi (Tarsius pumilus) in North Sulawesi. Of that amount, 24 of them are endemic species, which is only found living in certain areas in Indonesia.

8:46 AM | 0 komentar | Read More

Anesthetized Then Injected Death

Wild dogs in Badung regency, Bali province will continue to be destroyed by a joint team to sweep, because wild dogs crazy dogs especially vulnerable to contracting the rabies virus.
    
"With the discovery of some crazy dogs in the South Badung, officers will continue to do the culling of animals is quite dangerous spreaders of disease," said Chief Animal Husbandry Department Badung Ir Made in Sempidi Badra, Monday.
    
He said after the culling of stray dogs and dog crazy in a number of villages in South Badung, a similar operation conducted in the region will begin North Badung.
    
"North Badung immediately after our comb to prevent the spread of the disease," he said.
    
He said that while not all wild dogs proven to suffer from rabies, but the extermination operation against animal no man's land that still remains to be done.
    
"We ran into certain areas to be able to capture and destroy wild dogs are extremely vulnerable to contracting rabies," he said.
    
Not only in the region of Badung, but in Denpasar and several other districts in the province of Bali is also now being carried out the destruction of stray dogs, following the discovery of several residents who contracted rabies positive.
    
From monitoring in Denpasar showed that culling operations were held in several places in the capital of Bali province. Dozens of stray dogs in the area of ​​Sanur, Padanggalak and Pamogan, Denpasar annihilated by lethal injection.
    
Prior to euthanasia, the dogs first given in the form of fish feed that has been mixed pindang drugs.
    
Food that is thrown away and then eaten by wild dogs, and soon began working drug reactions, so that the dog looked limp and asleep limp. After a wild dog that "helpless", injecting a liquid poison officer until the dog died.
    
Operations that was held the ranks of Animal Husbandry and Health of Bali Province since late November 2008 had destroyed at least 200 wild dogs in some areas in the regency of Badung and Denpasar, especially dog ​​owners who are not clear.
    
Head of the Bali Provincial Health Office Dr Dewa Ketut Oka said in the South Badung and Denpasar some other places there are many stray dogs whose owners are unknown.

8:44 AM | 0 komentar | Read More

Kalbar Free Three Diseases

Free of Brucellosis disease, rabies, and avian flu becomes a target of West Kalimantan Province Government in the livestock sector in 2009.
   
Head of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry (Diswanak) Kalbar Abdul Manaf Mustafa in Pontianak, on Monday, said that such diseases can be categorized as dangerous and infectious to humans.

However, he added, Kalbar Diswanak monitoring for many years to the development of these diseases. "The result was encouraging," he said.

Brucellosis is a disease that can cause miscarriage in animals and humans can be infected. Since 1998, Diswanak Kalbar observation and monitoring. "As a result, Kalbar zero percent," said Abdul Manaf.
   
Meanwhile, the last case of animals suffering from rabies are found in Ketapang in early 2005. Rabies is caused by a virus that can also be transmitted to humans. "For example in other areas, such as the Bali recently excited rabies," he said.
   
As for bird flu, intensive treatment made since the last case in West Kalimantan in 2004.
   
He added that the world veterinary organization also no longer enter the lines one and two in the poultry sector for bird flu-free criteria. "Hopefully this will make it easier Kalbar for certified free of bird flu," he said.
   
He said currently drafting a report to the Minister of Agriculture regarding the handling of dangerous animal diseases in West Kalimantan.
   
West Kalimantan is an area prone to the spread of dangerous animal diseases in the region considering its location across regions or countries. "Control over livestock traffic becomes very important to prevent transmission of other areas," said Abdul Manaf.

8:43 AM | 0 komentar | Read More

Team 2929 Wildlife Rabies Vaccination Denpasar

Integrated team that conduct rabies vaccination simultaneously in 83 posts in eight villages and villages in South Denpasar District, managed to reach 2939 animal tail. "The vaccination is carried out on 2883 dogs, 53 cats, and 3 heads of monkeys," said Chief Animal Husbandry Department Denpasar Ngurah Dewa Made in Denpasar.

Vaccinations who had reviewed Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika and Denpasar Mayor Ida Bagus Rai D Mantra is enough to get enthusiastic people to bring pets to the post in order to get immunity antirabies vaccine. In addition to a fairly high awareness of local residents, also came from foreign nationals residing in the city of Denpasar.

Moriyama (56), Japanese citizens living in the tourist area of ​​Sanur, Denpasar, come take a cat pet to the Hall of Banjar Taman Sari Sanur to be vaccinated for rabies have immunity against the disease.

According to Dewa Ngurah, with a vaccination carried out simultaneously, the means in South Denpasar District 4667 have been vaccinated animals, which consists of dogs, cats and monkeys.

Disbursement of the antirabies vaccine exceeds the previous estimate of about 4,000 birds. Vaccination effort is still to be continued in the Denpasar District West by targeting nine or 85 villages and sub heading that will be done on Sunday (11 / 1).

"While vaccination at the Denpasar District will be conducted January 18, 2009 by targeting the 85 post in eleven villages and villages, following the North Denpasar on 24 January next," said Dewa Made Ngurah.

8:42 AM | 0 komentar | Read More

Dog Cages 16.776, 818 taels Destroyed

A total of 818 wild dogs suspected of  rabies  has the potential to spread disease in the region of Badung and Denpasar destroyed a special team that parachuted into two regions.
   
"Besides, we also have made vaccination of 16 776 dogs at once mengandangkannya into housing," said Ni Wayan Sukanadi Provincial Animal Husbandry Bali in Denpasar,
   
Appearing as a speaker on rabies prevention seminar held at Udayana University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, he said, concerted efforts are an attempt to prevent the spread of rabies disease which appeared in Unggasan, South Kuta, Kuta District, Badung regency, and Sesetan Denpasar.
   
"Only in those districts vaccination efforts and elimination of the eight districts and one city in Bali," said Sukanadi.

8:40 AM | 0 komentar | Read More

Razia Dogs Keep Held in Riau

Department of Agriculture  and Livestock (Distanak) Bengkalis regency, Riau, continue to make raids to suppress the number of rabies following the  bite of  rising  cases of  wild dogs in the area destroyed by the dogs.
   
"Until now, staff is still reviewing the Bengkalis Distanak raid rabies elimination," said Chief Distanak Bengkalis Herliawan when contacted from Pekanbaru, Thursday.

Herliawan explained that a main purpose of raids against the diseased dogs with rabies is to reduce wild dog bite cases in the area of recent days continue to increase, particularly in Sub Bantan and Bengkalis District.
   
The process itself is conducted raids rabies by providing poison destroyer which is usually done at night.

He added, currently has about 60 wild dogs in the District of Bengkalis Bantan and suspected of suffering from rabies had been eradicated.

Bengkalis Distanak also reminded the residents that have pets that can transmit rabies, such dog or cat, to give the vaccine.

"If you want to get the vaccination free of charge can directly into the office Distanak Bengkalis regency," he said.

Because the role of the community in an effort to determine the success of the rabies control officer in pressing cases of disease of wild dogs.

8:38 AM | 0 komentar | Read More