Many dogs or cats bites especially when the weather is hot. According to a doctor, every day dogs and cats bite more and more because they become temperamental when the weather is hot. Sometimes we cannot avoid scratching or being bitten by our pet dogs and cats but it is dangerous because it can cause rabies.
What is Rabies?
Rabies is one of the most serious viral diseases affecting a person's central nervous system. Through saliva, scratches and bites spread to the human body and cause infections. It is a disease from animal to human. When a person is bitten by a dog, the rabies in its saliva enters the body and other parts of the body. Symptoms of rabies Fever and headache Pain or numbness in the wound site Loss Salivation Erection of the face Fear of wind and water Symptoms of rabies do not appear immediately or appear usually after 3 to 8 weeks after biting. But we must remember that once you have symptoms of rabies it is difficult to treat it. Because of this, we need to anticipate all dog and cat bites.
Things to Do When Bitten by Dogs and Cats
1) Wash the wound with soap and water for 10 minutes to prevent infection.
2) Apply povidone iodine to the wound. Do not apply any kind of ointment to the wound.
3) Do not cover or bandage or gauze the wound.
4) Do not apply or rub garlic on the wound. It does not cure and may even cause tetanus.
5) Take the patient to a nearby hospital or Animal Bite Center immediately.
6) Catch the dog as much as possible and observe it for a few days. When a dog shows signs of rabies such as salivation and loss, take it to a designated hospital to have the animal's brain tested and never to bite again.
7) Do not slaughter and eat dog meat. Some people eat a dog, make it into a dish or garnish its meat.
When Is Vaccine Given?
This does not mean that when you scratch or bite an animal you get rabies right away. If you take care of a biting dog you know its history. If you get vaccinated regularly you have nothing to worry about. When an animal is scratched or bitten and has a wound it needs a vaccine against wound infection or the so-called anti-tetanus vaccine. The dog needs to be observed for a few days. When nothing happens to the animal, it means it has no rabies and the patient is safe. If the patient insists on getting the first shot of the rabies vaccine, he or she will have no problem. Just observe the dog for a few days. When it does not die it means it is safe and free of rabies. There is no need to continue the vaccine for rabies. If the dog dies it means it has rabies and the vaccine should be continued and completed.
Ways To Prevent Rabie
1) To prevent your pet dog from biting, do not let it slip and tie it.
2) If you are taking care of an animal be sure to be a responsible owner of it. Make sure your pet dog is vaccinated to prevent rabies.
3) If a stray dog is found, immediately notify the authorities in charge of such matters. 4) Do not let the child play with animals alone, especially if you do not take care of them.
5) Do not disturb animals while they are eating, sleeping or breastfeeding because they may get angry and cause you to be bitten.
6) When there is a wound on the body, do not let the dog lick your wound.
7) It is better not to take care of an animal especially if it cannot be vaccinated against rabies because it may only cause harm to you and other people.
ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE ABOUT ANIMALS AND RABIES
Rabies is not inborn. Not all dogs have rabies. Many people think that puppies have strong rabies. Rabies is not transmitted through animal waste or in contaminated areas. It comes when the animal is bitten by a rabid animal. A dog with rabies has a life expectancy of no more than 2 weeks. He is already infected with the virus and it infects the brain so dogs with rabies go crazy and die. This is one of the reasons why a dog dies whether it bites or not. It is important for each individual to know the causes and consequences of something. Avoid believing in superstitions or misconceptions because it can cause great persecution and trouble in the future. When taking care of an animal make sure you are a responsible owner to avoid disturbing and hurting your pet.
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