TREATMENT: Unfortunately, infection with the
rabies
virus is almost always fatal unless treatment is started immediately
after exposure. Because of this, it is essential you
practice extreme caution around suspect wildlife and that your pet be
protected with a proper vaccine protocol. In human medicine, there is the possibility
of post-exposure treatment, although it does not guarantee survival. If
bitten
or scratched cleanse and flush the wound with soap and water and seek
medical
attention immediately. Immediate local treatment of the site of viral
entry is
very important (4).See the VACCINES AND PROTOCOLS section for further information.
PREVENTION: Where rabies is a
public health
issue, the
control of rabies in the canine population is essential.The WHO (http://www.who.int/en/)
recommends there be a minimum coverage of 80% of the dog population.For individuals at higher risk of contracting
rabies, it is recommended to obtain pre-exposure vaccinations. Who
can be
affected by rabies? Carnivores
and bats are primarily affected by rabies (5), but all mammals are
believed to
be susceptible to infection.See the
Regional Distribution section for information on reservoir hosts in
your
province, but remember that infection is believed to be possible in all
mammalian species
What
is Canada doing to
protect
against this disease? Canada has a
surveillance
program to monitor the prevalence of rabies.
This means that any suspected case of rabies must be sent to the
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for diagnosis, and that the
government
keeps close track of all confirmed rabies cases and investigates
possible human
exposure. In addition, the Government
will quarantine any at risk or suspected rabid animals to ensure that
the
disease is not spread. They also require
that all dogs and cats be vaccinated prior to entry into Canada.
Please visit http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/heasan/disemala/rabrag/rabrage.shtml
for more government information. You can
help keep the occurrence of rabies down by making sure that you dog,
cat, or
horse is vaccinated regularly against rabies, and by immediately
reporting any
wildlife you see exhibiting any of the signs listed in the Clinical
Signs section.
** Here
are a few
things one can do to help prevent the spread of rabies: (5 *)
**
Do
not feed or handle wild or stray animals, especially those that appear
aggressive, sick or exhibit any abnormal behaviour.
Do
not keep a wild animal as a pet.
Do
not try to nurse sick animals to health. Call animal control in your
area for
assistance.
Have
your pets vaccinated against rabies according to instructions from your
veterinarian.
Keep
your pets indoors at night so they do not come in contact with wild
animals.
Keep
your pets on a leash.
Report
stray animals to your local animal control office so that an animal
control officer can investigate.
If
your cat or dog has been bitten or attacked by a wild animal or has
bites or scratches of unknown origin, seek veterinary assistance for
the animal immediately.
Don't
leave table scraps or leftover pet food outside where it will attract
wild animals.
If
your cat or dog has bitten a person, contact your local public health
unit to report the incident.
Reduce
your chances of contact by animal-proofing your house, cottage and
workplace.
Do
not relocate wildlife. It is illegal and can contribute to the spread
of rabies.
