Rabies vaccinations for dogs: when and how to do it

What is rabies?

Rabies is an acute infectious disease of the nervous system that causes irreversible changes and is fatal in 100% of cases. All warm-blooded animals, including dogs, are susceptible to the virus caused by rabies.

Rabies is dangerous due to its long incubation period. The virus that causes the disease moves rather slowly through nerve cells. It can take weeks for it to reach the brain or spinal cord, and until then no signs of rabies will be noticeable.

Possible routes of infection

Almost every dog ​​can get rabies, regardless of age, breed, or good health.

At risk are:

• Unvaccinated dogs.
• Small puppies whose immune systems have not yet developed.
• Exhausted creatures weakened by other diseases;
• Individuals living in areas where unfavorable conditions have been recorded precisely due to the widespread spread of the rabies virus.
• Animals living in close proximity to forests and capable of contact with wild animals.

There is an increased risk of “catching” a deadly disease in hunting dogs, including those who take part in hunting foxes, hares, animals living in minks, etc.

As a rule, the rabies virus enters the dog’s body along with the saliva of a sick animal that is a carrier of the disease. Most often, when a healthy dog ​​is bitten by a sick individual.

IMPORTANT!: A rabid dog becomes contagious immediately after it itself has been infected with the virus. It remains extremely dangerous at any of the other stages of disease progression.

During the incubation period, only experienced specialists and attentive owners who take responsibility for the health of their pet are able to clearly identify the problem and organize measures to counter the spread of the disease and cure the infected dog. Infection with rabies can also occur if the saliva of a sick animal gets into a wound, a deep crack in the skin, or onto the mucous membrane of internal organs.

If a pet has not been vaccinated in a timely manner or has not been vaccinated against rabies, it automatically falls into a high-risk group. If infected, such a dog has practically no chance of survival; death is guaranteed. Therefore, you should not wait for the manifestation of any symptoms; the recommendations of experts are clear: it is necessary to carry out periodic vaccination in accordance with the established timing and frequency.

Dog owners should be aware of the fact that the incubation period for rabies occurs with virtually no symptoms, and at the end of it there is a sharp activation of the virus, its accumulation in saliva (one of the reasons for increased salivation) and a sharp manifestation of all the main adverse signs of damage to the nervous system, musculoskeletal system. the animal's locomotor system.

What causes rabies?

The cause of the disease is the rabies virus. In 99% of cases it is transmitted through saliva during a bite. For a dog to get rabies, it must be bitten by an already infected animal . And it doesn’t have to be a dog either. The virus is transmitted by the bite of any other animal carrier (rats, mice, foxes, raccoons, etc.).

A special risk group includes stray and hunting dogs. This is due to the fact that they are more likely to come into contact with animals that may be infected with rabies.

Can rabies be cured?

No! Despite the fact that the antidote and the technique have been developed for hundreds of years, there has been no effective progress in this matter; the disease continues to manifest itself in cases where conditions are created for this (contact with an infected animal or an animal that is a carrier of a dangerous virus.

All that medicine has achieved in this direction is to develop an effective vaccine that can resist the disease. The vaccinated animal, of course, will get sick after the bite, but it will still have every chance of staying alive and completely restoring the normal functioning of all organs.

How the disease manifests itself in dogs - the main signs

The first thing you need to pay attention to is changes in your pet's behavior. At first the dog begins to be afraid of water and light. She can fawn over people, including strangers, and ask for attention.

A few days later, the situation changes dramatically - the animal behaves very aggressively, breaks loose from its leash, rushes for no reason, and can bite (and this is a very dangerous period for humans, because they can also become infected!).

A dog with rabies can run a very long distance. She attacks other animals and people. At the same time, attacks of aggression and violent behavior are replaced by periods of complete rest.

The main signs indicating the development of rabies in a dog:

• lack of a swallowing reflex - saliva flows from the animal’s mouth (possibly in the form of foam),
• hard breath,
• loss of appetite,
• swallowing inedible objects,
• bouts of vomiting,
• hoarse barking,
• unsteady gait
• paralysis of the lower jaw and larynx - the animal cannot lap up water,
• paralysis of the hind limbs.

Dog rabies

Rabies (Rabies. Lyssa, Tollwut, La Rage) – hydrophobia, hydrophobia, is an acute viral disease that occurs with severe damage to the nervous system, usually with a fatal outcome.

Historical reference. Rabies has been known to humanity since ancient times. Thus, animal rabies is mentioned in the works of Aristotle, Democritus and others. At the beginning of the 1st century AD, Celsus described rabies in humans, calling it hydrophobia. L. Pasteur developed a method of preventive vaccinations against rabies, for which he used an experimentally obtained version of the virus (fixed virus). In 1887, Babesh discovered special inclusions in the protoplasm of neurons in the brains of rabid animals. A. Negri in 1903 gave them diagnostic significance, and since 1950. they began to be called Babes-Negri bodies; they are conglomerates of accumulations of viral and intracellular matter.

Rabies today has great social significance due to the threat to human life.

In the last decade, there has been a widespread spread of rabies among wild animals - foxes, raccoon dogs, etc.

Etiology . The causative agent of rabies is a large RNA-containing neurotropic virus from the genus Rhabdovirus. When examined by electron microscopy, the elementary particles (virions) of a street virus have the shape of a rod, one end of which is rounded, the other is flattened (bullet shape). The transverse diameter of the particles is 70-80 nm, the length is about 180 nm. Moreover, the virions of the fixed virus are shorter - 100-150 nm. The nucleocapsid has helical symmetry. In the body of a sick animal, the virus multiplies and accumulates mainly in the gray matter of the brain. The rabies virus is characterized by the formation of Babes-Negri bodies in the cytoplasm of nerve cells of the central nervous system. These bodies are formations of various shapes (round, elliptical, pear-shaped, ovoid or angular-triangular) ranging in size from 0.25µ to 27µ in diameter. One cell can contain from 1 to 6 bodies of various sizes. Long-term passages in chicken embryos help reduce the virulence of the virus. Passaging a street virus on rabbits, through successive subdural passages, Pasteur, Chamberlan and Roux managed to obtain a virus with new, fixing properties, not pathogenic for humans and animals.

Epizootological data . From ancient times until the 18th century, rabies was primarily a disease of wild animals (“forest rabies”) that infected farm animals and humans. With the development of civilization and the emergence of large cities, rabies moved to populated areas. After the Second World War, rabies again moved into forests and became a new “forest-type rabies”, affecting mainly wild animals and animals in rural areas.

There are two types of rabies outbreaks. The first type - natural, or forest, which is supported by wild animals, is often not registered until rabies takes on the character of an enzootic. The second type is urban; its development is directly dependent on the number of stray and stray dogs in populated areas; in addition, rats and mice, which are widespread in populated areas, play a role.

In the last 10 years, in Russia, despite the widespread use of the Oralrabivak vaccine in hunting farms, there has been the greatest spread of “forest rabies” among wild animals. Foxes and raccoon dogs with rabies, having lost their sense of fear, go to populated areas, especially those located in close proximity to forests, enter into battle with domestic dogs, which fearlessly attack uninvited “guests”, guarding the territory entrusted to them, and become infected with the rabies virus .

Infection with rabies under natural conditions occurs only when the saliva of a rabid animal comes into contact with damaged skin or mucous membrane, mainly through a bite. Dog bites are especially dangerous due to the fact that their saliva contains the enzyme hyaluronidase, which has the ability to quickly increase tissue permeability to the virus.

Dog owners should remember that the saliva of an infected animal may contain the rabies virus several days (4-10) before the characteristic clinical signs of rabies appear. The possibility of a dog becoming infected with rabies is directly dependent on the content of a sufficient amount of virus in the saliva of a sick wild animal (fox, raccoon dog, etc.) at the time of the bite. The most dangerous are bites in areas rich in nerve endings (nose area, lips), the number of bites and their depth.

Pathogenesis . Once the rabies virus enters a dog's body through a bite, it binds to the nerve cells, causing their damage. The rabies virus spreads along centripetal nerve fibers to the place of its reproduction and accumulation - the central nervous system. Due to the fact that small blood vessels are damaged when bitten, the possibility of the virus spreading through the blood and lymph cannot be ruled out. Having penetrated the brain, the rabies virus, simultaneously with its reproduction and accumulation in it, begins its downward movement along the centrifugal nerve pathways to the peripheral nerves that innervate all tissues and organs, including the salivary glands, affecting the nerve nodules of the salivary glands (lying superficially under the mucous membrane tongue and cheeks), where it reproduces. As a result of infection by the virus, the cells of these nerve nodules degenerate, are destroyed, and the rabies virus passes to the surface of the mucous membrane or into the salivary duct of the gland. The rabies virus can be detected in saliva 5-10 days before the first clinical signs of the disease appear in the dog. Based on this fact, a 10-day observation period has been established for dogs suspected of the disease (having bitten people and animals).

Reproduction of the virus in the brain initially causes irritation of nerve cells, which leads to the development of diffuse non-purulent encephalitis, manifested by increased reflex irritability and aggressiveness of the sick dog. Then, as a result of degenerative and necrotic changes in the central nervous system, the dog develops paralysis. With severe lesions, the dog experiences paralysis of the respiratory or cardiac organs, which ultimately leads to its death. In a few cases, the infectious process seems to stop, and recovery occurs. This should be considered as a consequence of the developed immunity suppressing the pathogenic effect of the virus.

Immunity . Natural immunity in susceptible animals is observed in exceptional cases. Immunity against rabies can only be acquired after vaccination. To immunize animals, inactivated vaccines are used, in which the virus is neutralized by various chemicals: phenol, formaldehyde, glycerin and phenol.

Clinical picture . As a rule, rabies is transmitted to dogs through saliva when bitten by animals with rabies. For dogs, the most dangerous bites are from rabid wolves, which cause deep and lacerated wounds, which contributes to a large infection. About 1/3 of animals (and people) bitten by rabid animals become infected. This fact is explained by the protective effect of the coat (or clothing), and on the other hand, by the natural resistance of the body.

The incubation period in dogs varies widely. Usually it ranges from 3 weeks to 3 months. In some cases, signs of the disease may appear after 7-8 days or after several months. The length of the incubation period in a dog depends on the location of the bite, the amount and virulence of the virus, the age and general resistance of the infected dog. Young dogs have a shorter incubation period than adults. The shortest period occurs with a bite to the head area.

In dogs, rabies usually manifests itself in two forms: violent and silent .

The violent form of rabies in dogs manifests itself in three sequential stages, but sometimes dogs with rabies may not go through all these stages.

1. Prodromal or melancholic stage. Quiet form. It occurs in dogs within 12 hours or 3 days. At this stage of the disease, dog owners note a change in the usual behavior of their pet. The dog becomes boring, apathetic, capricious, avoids people, tries to hide in a dark place, and is reluctant to respond to the owner’s call. Subsequently, the dog becomes anxious, restless and irritable. She develops increased sensitivity to noise and light, anxiety and excitability gradually increase. Then suddenly the dog experiences a change in behavior - the dog exhibits its usual behavior, cuddles up to its owner and family members, tries to lick its face and hands. Previously withdrawn dogs become more sociable, and sociable ones, on the contrary, become aggressive. May become depressed or attack other animals without warning. The dog often lies down and jumps up, barks for no reason. Dog owners register increased reflex excitability (to touch, light, noise, rustle); In the game, the dog may bite the owner's hand, showing its displeasure. Some sick dogs nervously walk in circles, dig the ground near the kennel, constantly listen warily to something, and begin to catch invisible flying objects with their teeth ("fly catching" syndrome). Sometimes the dog owner notices spontaneous urination and increased sexual desire. At the onset of the disease, during a clinical examination, the veterinarian registers an elevated temperature of up to 40-41 ° C, the pupils are dilated, and the corneal reflex is weakened. We notice shortness of breath in the dog. In some dogs, severe itching appears at the site of the bite; the dog scratches, licks, and sometimes chews the site of the bite. As the disease progresses, the dog develops a perverted appetite, accompanied by eating inedible objects (sticks, stones, glass, own feces, etc.); The owner of the dog notes a change in food intake, which manifests itself in the fact that the dog may throw taken meat out of its mouth or refuse treats altogether. At this stage, the dog begins to develop paresis of the pharyngeal muscles - accompanied by difficulty swallowing (outwardly manifested by difficulty swallowing), drooling, hoarse and jerky barking, an unsteady gait, and sometimes squint.

Exuberant form . The period of excitement in this form in a dog appears 1-3 days after the initial stage of the disease. All of the above symptoms of prodromal stage rabies in a sick dog intensify, and the anxiety and excitement that appears in the animal as a result of the onset of hallucinations drive the dog to madness.

In this form, a dog’s aggressiveness increases; such a dog, without any reason, can bite any nearby animal, as well as people. They gnaw all inedible objects (sticks, iron, earth, etc.), tear them into pieces, breaking their teeth, and sometimes the lower jaw. It is characteristic that such a dog silently runs up to animals and people, biting them. Such dogs have an increased desire to break free from the chain and run away. Having broken free from the chain, such a rabid dog runs several tens of kilometers in a day, biting other dogs, animals and people along the way. During a clinical examination, a veterinarian will diagnose the dog as having disorientation (absent expression in the eyes). Such a rabid dog has no sense of fear at all; the symptom of aggression dominates over other signs of rabies. Emerging attacks of violence, which last for several hours, are replaced by periods of depression, during which the dog lies motionless, after which the dog can stand up, staggering, with a detached expression in the eyes. After each attack of violence, the dog experiences a period of oppression and depression, which continues until the dog is exposed to the next stimulus.

During a clinical examination, a veterinarian notes the appearance of symptoms of paralysis - a characteristic shrill bark, which, due to damage to the vocal cords, can turn into a high-pitched, drawn-out howl, which is of great diagnostic value. Upon examination, the specialist notes muscle tremors, poor coordination of movements, and the dog’s lower jaw droops as a result of paralysis. The oral cavity of such a dog is always open, the tongue falls half out of the mouth, and we note profuse salivation.

The dog refuses both food and water. The entry of any irritants into the oral cavity leads the dog to attacks of suffocation and rage; Often one type of water can cause a dog to choke. At the same time, the dog experiences paralysis of the swallowing muscles and tongue muscles, as a result of which the dog cannot eat the food offered to it. In such a dog, owners note spontaneous bowel and bladder emptying. The veterinarian notes uneven dilation of the pupils, mild squinting, unsteadiness of the rear, and the tail is usually drooping.

The arousal phase in a dog lasts from 2 days to a week. After which the dog has a third.

the last stage is paralytic or depressive , which lasts 1-4 days. Paralysis in a rabid dog extends to most of the body. In a sick dog, in addition to paralysis of the lower jaw, paralysis of the hind limbs, muscles of the tail, bladder and rectum occurs, and lastly, paralysis of the muscles of the trunk and forelimbs occurs. If the body temperature of a sick dog in the excited stage rises to 40-41°C, then in the paralytic form it decreases below normal. The dog's gait becomes unsteady, the tail is drooping, and the dog appears exhausted in appearance. Such a dog no longer shows violence, it is severely depressed and practically cannot move. At the same time, the consciousness of such a dog is preserved to some extent; it can react to its name, even to the point that it will try to carry out the owner’s commands. The subsequent muscle incoordination and convulsions lead to generalized paralysis. The death of the dog occurs on the 6-7th day with general paralysis and severe exhaustion. When examining the blood, we have polymorphonuclear leukocytosis, a decrease in the number of leukocytes. The sugar content in urine increases to 3%. The total duration of the disease is 7-10 days, while the death of a dog from rabies can occur within 3-4 days.

Experts have noticed a peculiarity when, in the silent (paralytic) form of rabies (which often occurs with bites from rabid foxes), excitement in dogs is weakly expressed or completely absent. In such rabid dogs, with a complete lack of aggressiveness, experts register severe drooling and difficulty swallowing. Therefore, the owners of such an animal should not attempt to use flattery in the mouth in order to remove a non-existent bone, as they themselves may become infected with rabies through saliva.

Pathoanatomical changes . The corpse of a dog that died from rabies is emaciated, the fur of the head, neck, dewlap, and front legs is moistened with saliva. There are numerous injuries on the skin - the result of fights with other animals, violence, and self-scratching. The mucous membrane of the oral cavity is hyperemic, with the presence of ulcers and erosions. We register some dryness of the subcutaneous tissue and muscle tissue. Internal organs are hyperemic, sometimes with the presence of parenchymal degeneration and minor hemorrhages. The dog’s stomach is empty, but (this is considered typical) inedible objects are found in it - sticks, stones, bedding, etc. There are hemorrhages and congestive hyperemia in the gastric mucosa. When opening the skull, we find some tension in the dura mater, cloudiness and swelling in the soft mater. The cerebral convolutions are smoothed, the pinkish color of the nervous tissue is enhanced on the section, and small hemorrhages are found. The nervous tissue is somewhat softened. There is a large amount of exudative fluid in the lateral ventricles and spinal canal. The choroid plexuses are heavily injected and swollen. Histological examination of the brain always establishes diffuse non-purulent encephalitis. Leukocyte and lymphocytic infiltration, neurophagia, and a proliferative reaction on the part of glia are well expressed. Muff-shaped perivasculitis “rabies nodules” and multiple microhemorrhages are found. We find various types of formations in the form of nodules and inclusions, namely: B. Babes nodules, acidophilic grains, Babes-Negri inclusion bodies. These inclusions are more often found in the cells of Ammon's horn. They can be found in nerve cells and other parts of the central nervous system: in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, medulla oblongata, etc.

The diagnosis of rabies by a veterinary specialist is established comprehensively on the basis of epizootic, clinical, and pathological data with mandatory confirmation by the results of laboratory tests. The veterinarian takes into account the disadvantage of the area with rabies, medical history (fact of a bite) and characteristic clinical signs of the disease (excitement, aggressiveness of the sick dog, drooling and paralysis of the muscles of the larynx and pharynx, lower jaw, and subsequently the limbs and torso).

For laboratory diagnostics, the head of a dead dog is sent to the laboratory. In the laboratory they carry out; microscopic examination of the brain to detect Babes-Negri bodies; diffuse precipitation reaction in agar gel - to detect specific rabies antigen in the brain; luminescent antibody method - to detect a viral antigen that has reacted with luminescent rabies serum (globulin); immunofluorescent study of corneal imprints and biological tests on white mice or rabbits.

Differential diagnosis . When conducting a differential diagnosis, a veterinarian must exclude Aujeszky's disease, the nervous form of plague, and listeriosis.

Treatment . There is no treatment for rabies in dogs. If you suspect your dog has rabies, the owner must urgently call a veterinarian, after placing it in an enclosure where it is excluded from contact with other animals and people.

Control and prevention measures . Measures for the prevention and elimination of animal rabies affect a significant range of special services, institutions, organizations, public associations, regardless of their subordination and forms of ownership, officials and citizens and are based on the implementation of Sanitary Rules SP 3.1. 096-96, Veterinary Rules VP 13.3. 1103-96.

In particular, according to paragraph 4 “prevention of rabies in animals and humans” of the above rules, managers of livestock farms, enterprises, institutions and citizen animal owners are obliged to:

4.1. - comply with the rules for keeping dogs, cats, fur-bearing animals and predatory animals established by the local administration.

- deliver dogs and cats belonging to them within the time limits established by the local administration, as provided by the chief state veterinary inspector of the district (city), to veterinary medical and preventive institutions for examination, diagnostic studies and preventive vaccinations with rabies vaccine;

— register the dogs they own in the manner established by the local administration;

- do not allow dogs that have not been vaccinated against rabies into personal yards, farms, herds, flocks, herds;

— take measures to prevent wild animals from entering herds, flocks, herds, and livestock buildings; for this purpose, graze farm animals and keep them on farms, feedlots, and summer camps under constant guard using dogs vaccinated against rabies;

- immediately inform the veterinarian serving the farm (settlement) about suspected animal disease with rabies and cases of biting of farm animals and domestic animals by wild predators, dogs, cats, take the necessary measures for the reliable isolation of animals suspected of the disease or bitten.

4.2. Dogs, cats and other animals that have bitten people or animals (except those clearly suffering from rabies) must be immediately delivered by the owner or a special team for catching stray dogs and cats to the nearest veterinary hospital for examination and quarantine under the supervision of specialists for 10 days.

4.3. In some cases, with the permission of a veterinary medical institution, an animal that has bitten people or animals may be left with the owner, who has issued a written undertaking to keep this animal in an isolated room for 10 days and provide it for examination within the time frame specified by the supervising veterinarian .

4.5. At the end of the quarantine period, clinically healthy animals after preliminary vaccination can be returned to their owners, provided they are kept in isolation for 30 days. Animals infected with rabies are destroyed.

4.6. The procedure for keeping, registering and recording dogs and cats in populated areas is determined by the local administration. Specialists from veterinary and sanitary-epidemiological services monitor compliance with this order.

4.7. The rules of keeping necessarily stipulate that service dogs outside the territory of the farm (enterprise, institution) to which they belong must be on a leash. Without a leash and muzzle, it is allowed to keep dogs in herds, flocks, herds of farm animals, during training and hunting, at educational training sites, and during the operational use of dogs by special organizations.

4.8. Dogs found on the streets and in other public places without an accompanying person, and stray cats are subject to capture.

4.9. The procedure for catching these animals, their maintenance and use is established by the local administration.

4.11. The sale, purchase and export of dogs outside the region (territory, republic) is permitted if there is a veterinary certificate, form No. 1, with a note on the dog’s vaccination against rabies.

5.4. A populated area or part of it, a forest area, a pasture, etc., where a case of animal rabies has been identified, is declared unsafe on the basis of the Resolution of the Governor of the region.

5.5. According to quarantine conditions, dog and cat exhibitions, breeding and training of dogs are not allowed in a locality unaffected by rabies. The trade in pets is stopped, the export of dogs and cats outside the troubled area and the capture (for export to zoos, for the purpose of resettlement in other areas, etc.) of wild animals in quarantined areas and in endangered zones are prohibited.

5.13. Quarantine is lifted by decision of the Governor after two months from the date of the last case of rabies in animals, subject to the implementation of planned anti-epizootic and preventive measures.

Prevention . The only measure to prevent rabies in dogs is to vaccinate dogs against rabies.

Considering the special danger of rabies for humans, mandatory vaccination against rabies in dogs is regulated at the state level. All state veterinary institutions are provided with rabies vaccine at the expense of the federal budget. Vaccination in state veterinary institutions for dogs is provided free of charge. Dog owners should be aware that vaccination against rabies is mandatory:

• if you and your dog participate in exhibitions and competitions;
• when crossing the state border of the country;
• when traveling by plane or train;
• when moving from one region to another;
• during breeding, when keeping dogs;
• Hunting dogs must also be vaccinated.

In recent years, due to cases of veterinary specialists contracting rabies in veterinary clinics, due to direct contact with rabid animals, veterinary specialists will not accept you if there is no rabies vaccination stamp in your dog’s passport.

Vaccination against rabies is carried out for dogs at 2.5-3 months of age. If the dog owner decides to vaccinate against rabies before 3 months, then in order to create intense immunity, revaccination is carried out after 14-21 days. Dog owners, when going to a veterinary clinic with their pet, should know that vaccinations are carried out only for clinically healthy animals. 7-10 days before vaccination, you will need to deworm your pet. What are the contraindications for rabies vaccination in dogs?

• increased body temperature;
• the presence of one or another helminthic infestation;
• internal organ disease
• immunodeficiency state of the animal's body
• Puppy exhaustion, underweight or developmental delay

In Russia, the following vaccines are used to vaccinate dogs against rabies:

- “Rabican” is made in Russia from the “Shchelkovo-51” strain. This vaccine is the most common and is provided to almost all state veterinary institutions at the expense of the federal budget. Dogs are vaccinated from 2 months of age. With a single immunization, immunity in a vaccinated dog lasts for 1 year, with a 2-fold immunization for 2 years.

- “Rabix” produced by Vetbiohim LLC. This vaccine is administered to puppies 2 times from 8-12 months of age and to adult dogs not previously vaccinated against rabies. The interval between vaccinations is 21-28 days.

- “Multikan-8” produced by Vetbiohim LLC.

- “Asterion” DHPPiLR LR produced by Vetbiohim LLC.

- “Depentavak” produced by JSC.

Additionally, veterinary clinics use imported vaccines to vaccinate dogs against rabies:

-Nobivak Rabies made in Holland. This vaccine helps develop immunity for up to 3 years. The vaccine is administered once at 3 months of age, revaccination is carried out a year later. In endangered areas, dogs are vaccinated 2 times: 8 weeks and 3 months.

"Defensor 3" made in the USA.

"Rabisin" produced by "Merial" France. This vaccine creates immunity against rabies for up to 36 months.

"Biocan R" , produced by Bioveta, Czech Republic. First vaccination at 3 months of age, revaccination a year later.

Additionally, veterinary clinics use complex imported vaccines that include rabies antigen.

Nobivak RL produced by Intervac, Holland.

"Eurikan DHPPI2 - LR" produced by Merial, France.

"Bican DHPPi + LR" (Bioveta, Czech Republic).

“Hexadog Hexadog” produced by Merial, France.

"Primodog" produced by Merial, France.

Issues of preventing rabies in humans and the methodology for examining dogs for rabies are outlined in the corresponding article on our website.

Forms of rabies in dogs

Veterinary medicine distinguishes three main forms on which the clinical picture of the disease depends:

• Violent.
• Quiet (paralytic).
• Atypical.

Violent

On average, it lasts from 5 to 14 days and is divided into three stages, during which changes in the behavior of the animal are clearly expressed.

Stage 1 . The animal may exhibit atypical behavior that was previously unusual for this individual, for example, increased affection or passive aggression. Some apathy or anxiety appears. Appetite is reduced or distorted (the animal swallows inedible objects). The act of swallowing becomes difficult, vomiting, drooling and hallucinations appear.

Stage 2 . The animal shows pronounced aggression, anxiety increases greatly, there may be self-traumatization (biting its own body), the desire to run and gnaw on surrounding objects. At this stage, convulsive seizures also appear, which become more frequent and lengthen over time. Paresis of the tongue and larynx, initial paralysis of the facial muscles appear, due to which the voice becomes hoarse, muffled or disappears altogether (aphonia), the act of swallowing is disrupted, squint develops, the lower jaw droops, the tongue falls out of the mouth, and profuse and uncontrollable salivation appears. Taking food and water becomes impossible.

Stage 3, terminal - paralytic . The animal is usually severely emaciated. The gait becomes unsteady, then paralysis of the hind limbs, atony of the intestines and bladder develops. This is followed by tetraplegia (paralysis of all limbs), the animal falls into a soporous state and coma. Death occurs from respiratory arrest due to paralysis of the respiratory muscles.

Important! This is the most common form of rabies not only in dogs, but also in other animals.

Silent (paralytic)

On average, it lasts 2-4 days. Characterized by the development of paralysis, drooling, and inability to eat. There are no sudden changes in behavior, including no aggressiveness.

Atypical

The most difficult form to diagnose can last up to 3 months. There are no typical symptoms of the disease. Initially, it may manifest itself as diarrhea or, conversely, intestinal atony and depression of consciousness. During the course of the disease, temporary improvements may occur, but in the end the animal still dies with rapidly increasing neurological symptoms.

Important! Furious rabies is the most common form of rabies not only in dogs, but also in other animals.

Along with these forms, there are others. They are not so common and in the entire history of studying the disease they have been encountered only in isolated cases. These forms include:

• Returnable (remittive).

It is characterized by the fact that the signs of rabies in a dog go away, but return again. It seems that the pet has recovered, but this is not the case - and after a few days its condition worsens again. Typically, with the recurrent form, 2-3 such alternations are observed.

• Abortive.

The main feature of this form is that after the first stage the disease suddenly stops and the dog makes a full recovery. This behavior of the organism is practically not studied. The abortive form occurs in only 1-2% of infected pets.

A terrible road from bite to death

Any person needs to know how humans and dogs are infected with the rabies virus, and what symptoms indicate the presence of a fatal disease.

The rabies virus is transmitted in saliva when bitten by a sick animal. Spreading along the nerve fibers, the pathogen enters the spinal cord, then into the nerve cells of the cerebral cortex, and then affects the hippocampus and bulbar centers, causing inflammation and severe disorders in them, leading to death. Shortly before death, the virus reaches the salivary glands so that it can enter another body through saliva.

And now more details in simple words. A sick animal (fox, cat or dog) bites a healthy dog ​​or person, transmitting the rabies virus through saliva at the time of the bite. In the resulting wound (in muscles and connective tissue), the pathogen begins to multiply - this process can be either fast (about 7 days) or very long (up to 1 year), even though the wound itself has already healed. This period is called incubation, i.e. The pathogen has entered the body, but there are no symptoms of the disease yet.

The development of the disease is associated with the location of the bite, so the rate of spread of the virus throughout the body will be increased if the resulting injury is close to the brain (muzzle, neck, front paw). The duration of the incubation period depends on this important point. It is at this moment (before the first symptoms) that active treatment should be started - this gives a high chance of not dying from rabies. But you can read more about this below in the article.

Timer started

Once the first symptoms of the disease appear, unfortunately, it is no longer possible to cure rabies. Once the virus has multiplied sufficiently, it will begin to travel along the centripetal nerves (the nerves that “go” to the central nervous system) to the spinal nerve ganglia. From the nodes, the virus passes into the substance of the spinal cord and brain, thereby entering the central nervous system and causing the death of nerve cells (neurons).

Along the nerve endings, the virus also enters the salivary glands of the patient, which is why the saliva becomes dangerous to others during a bite or when licking a damaged surface of a still healthy animal or person (for example, arms or legs).

Spread of the virus in the dog's body

Symptoms in humans

In a person, it will all start with numbness and itching in the area of ​​the injury for 1-3 days. Further, at the first damage to nerve cells, people develop symptoms such as depression, lethargy, apathy, anxiety, insomnia, and elevated body temperature.

At the next stage of development of the disease, excitement increases over 1-4 days - the sick person becomes very aggressive and violent, he is irritated by bright light and any sound, and noise causes muscle spasms in the limbs. Active salivation, aerophobia, fear of hydrophobia, hallucinations and a feeling of fear develop.

Aerophobia is muscle cramps that occur even with the slightest movement of air. Hydrophobia is a special reaction to the appearance of water, the sounds of its overflow, and even to the offer of a drink. At this moment, a spasm of the respiratory muscles occurs, pharyngeal convulsions begin, and the person falls into horror.

The final stage in the development of rabies is paralysis of the eye and zygomatic muscles (jaw droops), as well as complete paralysis of the muscles of the limbs. The person no longer exists as an individual. Massive death of nerve cells leads to damage to the cardiovascular and respiratory centers, which 100% entails death from suffocation due to paralysis of the respiratory muscles.

Symptoms in dogs and cats

The duration of the disease from the appearance of the first symptoms to the death of the animal is 6-11 days. Rabies occurs in one of two forms.

How does rabies manifest in dogs? Aggressive form.

How does rabies manifest in dogs? Quiet form.

What does rabies lead to?

Rabies is always fatal. The exception is the abortive form of the disease, but it is extremely rare. The fact is that rabies cannot be cured. Until now, no remedy has been developed that could stop the devastating consequences of the disease. If we consider that a dog can infect other animals and people with rabies, the situation becomes even more dangerous.

The only way to prevent the development of rabies is to vaccinate your dog on time.

How can you detect rabies in an animal?

Rabies can only be 100% recognized by blood tests. This is the procedure that must be carried out in a veterinary clinic for any of the above symptoms. Here, responsibility for the health and life of the animal lies entirely with the owner. Inattention and irresponsibility are unacceptable. For the period of time while a clinical study of data and blood processing is being carried out, the animal must be placed in an isolated enclosure, where there is no contact with people or other animals.

In the same way, you can check whether your dog is infected without doing a blood test. To do this, the animal is kept in an enclosure for about 2 weeks and its condition is constantly assessed for compliance with or manifestation of any symptoms from those listed earlier. Of course, the second method will not save the pet’s life, but will only protect other animals and people from becoming infected with the most dangerous viral disease.

Why do you need a rabies vaccination?

Rabies is dangerous not only for dogs, but also for humans. Unfortunately, a sick animal is completely uncontrollable. This is no longer your affectionate and devoted dog, but only an aggressive dog that has lost its instinct of self-preservation. Neither attempts to stop her nor physical influence will help.

Vaccinating your dog against rabies is mandatory. Information that the animal is vaccinated and safe for others may be required when transporting or crossing the border, as well as in the event of an attack on another animal or person.

Is vaccination necessary?

Some pet owners believe that a dog can only become infected from wild forest animals.

In fact, there is a risk even in the city: while walking, a dog can be scratched by a sick cat; a pet can become infected by lapping up water in a puddle from which a mad dog drank.

Symptoms of infection will be noticeable only after a few days, but during this time the virus can spread to humans. To do this, an infected dog just needs to lick the owner’s scratched hand.

At the first signs of rabies, the dog is quarantined, and if the diagnosis is confirmed, it is euthanized.

Without regular vaccination, your pet will not be able to lead an active lifestyle: participate in exhibitions, travel with you on public transport.

When should a dog be vaccinated?

The first rabies vaccination is given to a puppy at 3-4 months. This must be indicated in the veterinary passport. Further vaccination is carried out every year - this is necessary to ensure the dog’s protection from the virus that causes rabies.

On a note! Carefully track the date of vaccination on your passport - do not violate the schedule and do not neglect vaccinations. First of all, this is caring for the health of the dog and the people around it.

Does my pet need to be vaccinated?

Even if the dog does not go outside and always stays at home, it needs to be vaccinated against rabies. And there are at least several reasons for this. Firstly, a person on the sole of a shoe or on outer clothing can bring the pathogen home. Secondly, unvaccinated animals are constantly at risk (they can become infected by accidentally running out into the street or on the way to the veterinary clinic). And thirdly, vaccination is necessary to avoid problems in case of possible trips or if your pet bites you or your guests.

What to do to resist the rabies virus?

There are two ways to prevent your dog from getting rabies:

1. Conduct annual vaccinations.
2. Do not let your pet out of the house and do not bring other animals from the street.

The choice, of course, is always up to the owner, but common sense must prevail!

Also, who are in constant contact with animals should also be vaccinated against rabies

• veterinarians (Alisavet doctors are vaccinated against this deadly virus every year);
• dog handlers;
• zoo staff;
• workers processing animal carcasses manually, etc.

How does the rabies virus vaccine help?

I want to convey complex processes inside the body to you in a simple and as understandable language as possible, so we will reduce the use of unclear terms to a minimum, and explain the whole picture through military battles.

Anti-rabies vaccine (“anti” - against, “rabies” - rabies) is a substance that contains already killed rabies virus (in smart textbooks it is called “antigen”). Once in the body, the protective (immune) system of a person or animal encounters this virus as a foreign element and decides to create an army of defenders against this enemy. So, after approximately 21 days, the body produces protective cells (antibodies) specifically to this type (strain) of the virus for a certain period of time.

It is impossible to get rabies after vaccination, since the vaccine contains an inactivated culture of the virus. That is, initially the pathogen was artificially grown in special laboratory conditions, after which it was killed in a certain way.

Interesting and important “buts”!

Now imagine that the vaccination was done on time, and a protective army already exists. But after a few months, a person or dog is bitten by an animal with rabies. In this case, it will not be the killed “enemies” that will enter the body, but the real ones (there’s nowhere more alive). But the army already exists! This means that she immediately runs into battle, gives a quick and strong fight back - the rabies virus is blocked and cannot develop further. Therefore, a bitten person or animal will NOT develop a fatal disease.

What happens if someone who has never been vaccinated against rabies is bitten? But here it’s scary. An organism that has never encountered such an enemy before receives a dangerous virus from which it has no defense. Since antibodies are normally produced for about a month, the body ultimately does not have time to create its own army, since the virus is already multiplying and slowly destroying nerve cells. Consequently, if the body is not helped during this period, death is inevitable.

Help, as described in the article a little earlier, is:

• a person is injected with ready-made protective cells (immunoglobulin), which already know the enemy by sight and immediately begin a war with him;
• but since these protective cells came from the outside (they were introduced by injection), they will not stay in the body for long - they will hold the defense for several days, and then their strength will dry up, since there will be no reinforcements;
• That is why a person is simultaneously vaccinated against rabies - so that their native protective forces have time to appear while a temporary army is standing on the borders. So consider that the administration of immunoglobulin is like short-term help.
• Unfortunately, no ready-made protective army has been created for dogs. Therefore, the only very dubious help is vaccination against rabies (the introduction of killed pathogens, to which antibodies are produced more quickly). However, this only gives hope that protective cells will appear before the virus has time to multiply and begin its destructive actions.

Why repeat vaccination if protective cells have already been developed earlier?

Let's look again at the example of military operations. Any organism, for no apparent reason, does not create a special defensive army just because it wants to. This requires compelling reasons - the enemy (pathogen) itself.

But we are people, and we often think ahead. Therefore, we understand that although we are not sick now, we may eventually get rabies. We also understand that our dog or cat can also become infected with rabies, especially during the summer season. Consequently, we decide to give ourselves or our four-legged friend prophylaxis - vaccination or, simply put, a rabies vaccination.

As soon as the enemy (antigen) entered the body, a protective army appeared (this is written about a little higher). And this army stands on guard - for a month, three, six months, a year... Gradually it begins to lose vigilance and loses the number of soldiers, because new protective cells no longer appear - there is no longer an enemy. And since there is no enemy, then why keep this army. As a result, protective forces are lost.

We have found no scientific evidence that the rabies vaccine, once administered, will save a person or animal after, say, 10 years. But there are other laboratory works that say that after 1-3 years the antibodies (protective cells) will completely disappear or become sporadic. This is written in every rabies vaccine instruction.

Puppy at the first vaccination at the Alisavet veterinary clinic

No army will last the entire life of man or animal unless it is properly maintained. That’s why they carry out repeated vaccinations to give the body another kick – they say, don’t sleep! This is the only way to keep the immune system in constant combat readiness.

For example, many of us were given vaccines against a host of viral diseases as children. And then the vaccinations were repeated and repeated. But if you are now over 25 years old, then some antibodies have simply disappeared. For example, you need to be vaccinated against tetanus every 10 years until old age. Who would have known. But few people go to the clinic every 10 years for repeated vaccinations. Therefore, you can become infected with it, although in the distant past you were vaccinated against it.

But there is one point - if, several years after the first vaccinations, you encountered the tetanus virus, and your body gave a good fight back, then this also served as an excellent incentive to activate the protective forces without repeated vaccination. But let’s return to animals and talk about the rabies vaccination schedule.

How often should a dog be vaccinated against rabies?

According to the requirements of the sanitary legislation of the Russian Federation, pets (in our case, these are dogs, cats and ferrets) must be vaccinated against rabies.

For those who do not want to follow the above link and read additional information, we suggest that you read the excerpts from this document below. And to make things even easier for you, click here and immediately see the conclusions.

An important fragment from the sanitary legislation of the Russian Federation

IX Measures to prevent cases of rabies among humans

9.1. Bodies authorized to carry out state sanitary and epidemiological supervision monitor compliance with the requirements of the sanitary legislation of the Russian Federation aimed at preventing the occurrence and spread of cases of rabies among people.

9.2. Measures to prevent the occurrence of rabies in humans include:

• improvement of populated areas;
• regulation of the number of stray animals and their immunization against rabies;
• compliance with the rules for keeping and walking domestic animals and their immunization against rabies;
• immunization against rabies of farm animals in rabies-prone areas and farm animals taking part in cultural events;
• regulation of the number of synanthropic rodents;
• the presence of special medical institutions to provide anti-rabies assistance to the population;
• preventive immunization of persons at occupational risk of rabies;
• sanitary and educational work with the population.

Brief summary

From a fragment of the sanitary legislation of the Russian Federation it is clearly clear that vaccinating animals is a mandatory procedure. However, it is not specified how often this vaccination should be given. But this question can be answered by any instructions for the rabies vaccine. For example, you can read the explanations for one common inactivated Rabies vaccine from Nobivac. Of course, we'll make it easier and save you time - just read the important takeaways:

1. The increase in immunity after the introduction of the vaccine occurs on the 21st day.
2. Ferrets and minks are vaccinated against rabies from 2-3 months of age, and revaccinated against rabies every year.
3. Kittens and puppies in disadvantaged areas begin to be vaccinated for rabies from 2 months of age, but if there is no threat - from 3 months.
4. Due to the fact that rabies is a zoonotic disease, subsequent vaccinations against the deadly disease for dogs and cats are always carried out depending on the episodic situation in the country and the relevant legislation - this is either every year or every 3 years.

Since in Russia every year new outbreaks of this dangerous disease are detected in different districts and regions (unfavorable zone for rabies), dogs and cats must be vaccinated once a year !

Currently (2020), vaccination carried out on a dog more than 1 year ago is considered invalid in the Russian Federation!

How to prepare for a rabies vaccination?

For vaccination to be successful, the dog must be properly prepared. The first step is to get rid of possible parasites and carry out deworming - 10-14 days before the procedure, give your pet a dewormer and carry out preventive treatment for fleas. This is necessary to restore the dog’s immunity and prevent complications after vaccination.

Recommendations for preparing your dog for rabies vaccination:

• A prerequisite for vaccination is the pet’s excellent health. If you suspect that the dog is sick (for example, it has no appetite or is acting apathetic), then it is better to postpone the procedure until the animal’s condition is completely restored.
• Ensure quarantine . Before the first vaccination, it is advisable to ensure that the dog does not come into contact with other animals. Don't forget about the special risk group that includes stray animals. Keep your pet in a clean room where you will not enter with outdoor shoes or outerwear.
• Monitor the dog's condition . Monitor your body temperature and do not introduce new foods into your diet. Give your pet more water. If you are concerned that your pet will be allergic to the vaccine, consult your veterinarian. If necessary, he will prescribe antihistamines.

Features of the incubation period

A distinctive feature of the onset of the disease is the almost complete absence of any obvious or indirect signs and symptoms. A natural focal infection of the viral type, having entered the animal’s body, is in no hurry to show itself and gradually “accumulates strength.”

The incubation period for this infection does not have a clearly limited time frame and in this way it is similar to many other types of inflammatory viral diseases. On average, it may not be possible to recognize the onset of the disease within 21-42 days. And only after the incubation period has passed, the main symptoms of the disease begin to appear. As noted earlier, unfortunately, after irreversible processes have started in the body. That is why the owner of the animal needs to firmly know and memorize all the obvious and hidden symptoms of the virus.

Of course, the main way of contracting rabies is a bite. But if there are open wounds on the surface of the animal’s skin, they can become the weak point in the body through which the harmful virus penetrates.

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Puppies become infected most quickly; the rabies virus can appear in them as early as 4-6 days of infection.

Adults with strong immunity are able to retain the virus for 2 or even 3 months. But in any case, if there is no vaccination and no treatment and preventive measures are taken, no immune system can cope with the rabies virus on its own.

Why does the infection affect young dogs and puppies faster? Everything is very simple. The virus belongs to the encephalitic category and moves through the body’s neural system at a clearly fixed speed - about 3 mm per hour. It is obvious that the total length of neural circuits in small, young dogs is shorter compared to older, stronger individuals. Accordingly, the disease in large, adult dogs comes out a little later.

How and where is the injection given?

The rabies vaccine is usually given subcutaneously (at the withers), but some drugs can be administered intramuscularly. Before vaccinating your dog, your veterinarian will perform an examination. Only disposable syringes are used for the procedure. After the session, a mark is placed in the veterinary passport. It indicates the date of vaccination and the drug used.

On a note! Vaccinate your dog only in a reliable veterinary clinic in Moscow. Avoid dubious offers and trust only professionals.

Contraindications to rabies vaccination

It is strictly forbidden to vaccinate a dog that is sick or has not undergone deworming. If your pet has chronic diseases, be sure to undergo a preventive examination before the procedure and take tests (if necessary, prescribed by a veterinarian).

Contraindications:

• age up to 3 months;
• pregnancy (a pregnant bitch can only be given a vaccine against rabies called “Rabizin” - it is believed that it does not affect the development of pregnancy and the fetus);
• weakened body;
• rehabilitation period (for example, after an injury);
• underweight.

After vaccination

After vaccination, the dog remains in the clinic under observation for about 20-30 minutes. Then she must be taken home and ensure complete rest. Don't forget that walking (especially in public places!) is highly undesirable. The pet needs peace and time so that it can fully relax. At the same time, the vaccinated dog must be provided with free access to food and water.

The recovery period after vaccination lasts 10-14 days. During this time it is undesirable:

• excessive water procedures;
• intense loads;
• hypothermia or overheating of the pet;
• communication with other animals.

Possible reactions

Carefully monitor your pet's condition for 3-5 days after vaccination. At first, the dog may experience slight discomfort. Typically, animals become less active, their appetite decreases, and their temperature may rise. The area where the shot was given may be slightly swollen.

All this is a normal reaction to the effect of the vaccine, so you should not be afraid of it. If you notice other signs (such as vomiting or diarrhea), contact your veterinarian immediately!

First aid for humans and dogs after being bitten by a suspicious animal

First aid for a person and a dog after a bite is to mechanically remove the pathogen that has entered the wound, so immediately after the incident :

• the one who will provide first aid must wear any rubber gloves;
• you need to wash the bite site for a long time and intensively using soap under running water;
• during washing, it is advisable to deliberately squeeze blood out of the wound;
• after thorough rinsing, dry the wound and liberally apply any antiseptic (alcohol, vodka, miramistin, etc.) to destroy any virus that may have entered;
• be sure to apply a bandage over the wound (you cannot cauterize the wound or apply stitches yourself);
• immediately contact the nearest emergency room (for humans) or veterinary clinic (for animals) - the longer it takes the bitten person to get to a medical facility, the higher the likelihood of contracting rabies;
• It is imperative to carry out a therapeutic course prescribed by a doctor.

The rabies virus is very unstable, therefore, well-provided first aid and timely treatment, as a rule, prevent the development of rabies in humans.

For dogs and cats, the risks of contracting a fatal disease still remain high , since even an unscheduled introduction of a rabies vaccine does not provide 100% protection in this case, since antibodies may not have time to develop in time to prevent the development of a fatal disease (everything will depend on this). from the incubation period). Therefore, well-provided first aid and preventive vaccination given no more than one year ago play an important role here.

Treatment of rabies. Help after a bite.

Basic human treatment

Treatment of a person will be effective only in the period BEFORE the first signs of rabies appear. If you seek medical help only at the first signs, then the treatment will be ineffective, and this means 100% death.

Unfortunately, there is no anti-rabies therapy that can cure a person after symptoms appear. Hence the conclusion - the first aid provided and anti-rabies therapy from the first day of injury will play a huge role.

The main treatment of people is carried out according to a strictly approved protocol and under the strict supervision of a doctor. Fortunately, it is no longer necessary to take 40 injections in the stomach. Nowadays, more modern drugs are used in medicine - rabies immunoglobulin and rabies vaccine (rabies vaccine). Currently, anti-rabies therapy includes only 6 injections in the shoulder area (deltoid muscle) and thigh.

Features of human treatment

It should be borne in mind that these are not strict patterns of care, since the doctor can prescribe a regimen individually for a particular person, after weighing all the facts.

When an unvaccinated dog that has bitten a person is available for observation for 10 days (lives at home or with a neighbor), then initially the person is given only 2 injections of the rabies vaccine. It is also necessary to treat the wound (bite site) with anti-rabies immunoglobulin. If the dog does not show symptoms of rabies during these 10 days, then the human treatment ends there, since both are not infected.

However, if the dog is unavailable for observation (street) or it dies in a short time, then the person who managed to seek help in the first three days after the bite is immediately injected with rabies immunoglobulin, and then immediately with the rabies vaccine, but in a different place.

If you are bitten by a dog that was vaccinated no later than a year ago, then first of all you need to compare the facts - the behavior of the dog or cat in general, whether the pet intentionally bit a person or whether this action occurred because it was teased, etc.

In any case and if you have any doubts, be sure to visit a doctor! Remember, there is no cure for rabies, but you can prevent its development.

For people with obvious signs of rabies, it is only possible to alleviate the suffering as much as possible by using sedatives, administering drugs against seizures and installing a tracheostomy with further connection of the patient to an artificial respiration apparatus. Tracheostomy is the insertion of a special tube into the trachea to ensure air flow into the respiratory tract.

How to choose a vaccine?

Different veterinary clinics offer different vaccines. Usually, drugs of both Russian and foreign origin are used. We draw your attention to the most common rabies vaccines for dogs:

• "Rabikan" (Russia),
• "Defensor 3" (USA),
• "Nobivak RL" (Holland),
• "Rabix" (Russia),
• "Rabizin" (France).

The cost of vaccination depends on the veterinary clinic and the drug used for rabies vaccination.