What do I need to know about rabies?
Rabies is a viral disease which affects animals like dogs, cats and human beings. The rabies virus attacks nervous system of the affected animal or person. In human beings this disease causes paralysis of the muscle group used for swallowing.
Normally this disease spreads in human beings through bite of rabies-virus infected dog. Within a couple of months the symptoms of the disease start developing in human body.
Curative measures: After dog bite most important thing is finding out whether the dog was infected or not. If any symptom or abnormality is not immediately visible then the dog’s condition should be monitored for 15 days. If within that period symptoms become apparent or the dog dies then post bite treatment should be started immediately.
Preventive measures: To save your dog from the attack of this disease and for the prevention of spreading this fatal disease through your dog you should get your dog properly immunized. Best age for getting your dog immunized is between one and half months to three months. You might require administering booster doze after a certain period of time: follow the directions of your vet in this regard.
To keep your self safe from this deadly disease make it a point not to play with or come in very close contact with a dog whose immunization history is unknown to you. If you visit a friend’s place first of all find out whether their dog is properly vaccinated, if answer is ‘no’ then try to maintain safe distance from the dog.
One of common misconception is, a rabies affected dog is a mad dog and its behavior is good enough indication of its carrying rabies virus. But truth is far from it. There are only certain types of rabies that make the dog act furious in other types dog remains calm so behavioral indications are not something one can depend upon.