March, besides known to be the fire prevention month is also the Rabies Awareness Month. Did you know that the Department of Health have already established 360 Animal Bite Treatment Centers all over the country? This is because of the number of death due to rabies continue to arise.
As we already know, rabies is a preventable viral infection. It does affect the central nervous system and can be fatal. Then again, it is preventable. If you have dogs or other pets like cats or any other warm-blooded animals, have them vaccinated for an anti-rabies once they are at least 3 months old. The vaccine is also recommended to be done yearly after the initial shot for their protection.
Anti-Rabies Vaccine
I remember my Mom to have been bitten numerous times when she was a teenager and when she’s in her forties. She would always mention before that she is not sure why dogs love to bit her. Funny as it may seem but she is one of the many people who gets terrified with the sight of an unfamiliar dog, especially when it barks loud.
She once told me that there was one time she had to follow an old belief to put or rub garlic in the bitten part but realized it wasn’t the proper when she arrived at the hospital. She was reprimanded by the doctor who attended her. She got bit again after that and has learned what she should do with the bite. The wound should be washed by just soap and water as soon as possible and head to the nearest hospital’s emergency room and get an anti-rabies vaccine.
What to do with the pet? Leash them and they had to be observed for up to 2 weeks. If it is not possible to observe the animal, your physician will at once advise for a post-exposure vaccine, as they call it. Again, with all these info we have on hand and can access, prevention is still necessary. So, let your pets get their vaccines.
Here is my cousin’s newly adopted pet named Paris. Isn’t she adorable? She has been vaccinated already, so go get your pet protected too!