6.0 Rabies: Risk Assessment and Emergency Management
Rabies is a fatal viral disease that necessitates urgent and aggressive medical intervention following potential exposure.
6.1 Identifying a Potentially Rabid Animal
Recognizing the signs of rabies in a dog is critical for risk assessment. Symptoms include:
| Symptom | Description |
| Behavioral Changes | Sudden aggression or, conversely, extreme timidity and withdrawal. A normally calm dog may growl or bite without provocation. |
| Excessive Salivation | Drooling or “foaming at the mouth” caused by paralysis of the throat muscles, leading to difficulty swallowing. |
| Hydrophobia (Fear of Water) | A classic sign where the animal may refuse to drink or experience severe spasms when seeing water. |
| Paralysis | Progressive paralysis, often starting in the hind legs, making movement difficult. |
| Vocalization Changes | Unusual, hoarse, or pained-sounding barks. |
| Sensory Hypersensitivity | Increased agitation in response to bright lights and loud noises. |
6.2 Risk Factors and Dog Observation
- Dog Status: Key factors in the risk assessment are whether the dog is owned or stray, and its vaccination history. If the dog is owned and its rabies vaccination is current, the risk is low.
- Observation Period: If a dog is suspected of being rabid, it should be placed under veterinary observation for 10 days. If it develops rabies symptoms during this period, treatment for the bite victim must commence immediately.
- Unknown/Stray Dogs: If the biting dog is unknown, a stray, or cannot be captured for observation, prophylactic treatment for the victim is typically initiated as a precaution.
6.3 Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) Protocol
If rabies exposure is suspected, a treatment known as Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is administered immediately. This involves a combination of:
- Rabies Immune Globulin (RIG): Injected directly into and around the wound site, as well as intramuscularly. RIG provides immediate, passive immunity to bridge the gap until the body starts producing its own antibodies.
- Rabies Vaccine: A series of vaccinations that stimulates the body to produce its own antibodies, providing long-term, active immunity. The standard schedule involves five doses administered on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28, although this schedule may be adjusted by the physician.