World Rabies Day

Well my last post was well timed as I have just found out today is World Rabies Day 2013.

 What is Rabies?

Rabies is a horrendous disease that is viral and transmitted through the saliva or tissues of an infected mammal to another mammal. The rabies virus affects the central nervous symptoms so causing very distressing neurological symptoms before the victim is to die.

Rabies is the deadliest disease on earth with a 99.9% fatality rate.

 Each year around the world, rabies results in more than 55,000 deaths – approximately one death every 10 minutes. Most deaths are reported from Africa and Asia with almost 50% of the victims being children under the age of 15.

 If you find yourself bitten by a rabid animal, you must:

• Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes. 
•  Apply ethanol or a similar antiseptic to prevent secondary infection.
• Seek urgent medical attention. You need to start post-exposure prophylaxis within 3 days or as soon as possible.
  - See more at: http://rabiesalliance.org/rabies/first-aid-after-a-bite/#sthash.gKPk6Hdx.dpuf

If you are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal, you must

1. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes.
2. Apply ethanol or a similar antiseptic to prevent secondary infection.
3. Seek urgent medical attention. You need to start post-exposure prophylaxis within 3 days or as soon as possible.

If you have already had pre-exposure prophylaxis, you still need to seek further treatment.
Modern vaccines are the only way to prevent the onset of rabies after exposure. Traditional remedies, such as jackfruit gum and chilli powder do not stop the rabies virus.
Please treat any potential exposure to rabies seriously. Once clinical symptoms appear, death is inevitable.
- See more at: http://rabiesalliance.org/rabies/first-aid-after-a-bite/#sthash.eF82SK91.dpuf

 If you have already had pre-exposure prophylaxis, you still need to seek further treatment.

Modern vaccines are the only way to prevent the onset of rabies after exposure. Traditional remedies, such as jackfruit gum and chilli powder do not stop the rabies virus.
Please treat any potential exposure to rabies seriously. Once clinical symptoms appear, death is inevitable.
- See more at: http://rabiesalliance.org/rabies/first-aid-after-a-bite/#sthash.gKPk6Hdx.dpuf

1. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes.
2. Apply ethanol or a similar antiseptic to prevent secondary infection.
3. Seek urgent medical attention. You need to start post-exposure prophylaxis within 3 days or as soon as possible.

If you have already had pre-exposure prophylaxis, you still need to seek further treatment.
Modern vaccines are the only way to prevent the onset of rabies after exposure. Traditional remedies, such as jackfruit gum and chilli powder do not stop the rabies virus.
Please treat any potential exposure to rabies seriously. Once clinical symptoms appear, death is inevitable.
- See more at: http://rabiesalliance.org/rabies/first-aid-after-a-bite/#sthash.gKPk6Hdx.dpuf

If you are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal, you must

1. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes.
2. Apply ethanol or a similar antiseptic to prevent secondary infection.
3. Seek urgent medical attention. You need to start post-exposure prophylaxis within 3 days or as soon as possible.

If you have already had pre-exposure prophylaxis, you still need to seek further treatment.
Modern vaccines are the only way to prevent the onset of rabies after exposure. Traditional remedies, such as jackfruit gum and chilli powder do not stop the rabies virus.
Please treat any potential exposure to rabies seriously. Once clinical symptoms appear, death is inevitable.
- See more at: http://rabiesalliance.org/rabies/first-aid-after-a-bite/#sthash.eF82SK91.dpuf

 Modern vaccines are the only way to prevent the onset of rabies after exposure. Traditional remedies, such as jackfruit gum and chilli powder do not stop the rabies virus.

Please treat any potential exposure to rabies seriously. Once clinical symptoms appear, death is inevitable.

Please stay away from any unknown dogs and cats, any wildlife and any dead animals.

For more information please visit: www.worldrabiesday.org

- See more at: http://rabiesalliance.org/rabies/first-aid-after-a-bite/#sthash.eF82SK91.dpuf

aliva or tissues from the nervous system from an infected mammal to another mammal. - See more at: http://rabiesalliance.org/rabies/what-is-rabies-and-frequently-asked-questions/what-is-rabies/#sthash.4FFwaR0F.dpuf

aliva or tissues from the nervous system from an infected mammal to another mammal. - See more at: http://rabiesalliance.org/rabies/what-is-rabies-and-frequently-asked-questions/what-is-rabies/#sthash.4FFwaR0F.dpuf

What is rabies?

Rabies is a viral disease that is transmitted through the saliva or tissues from the nervous system from an infected mammal to another mammal.
Rabies is a zoonotic disease. Zoonotic diseases can pass between species. Bird flu and swine flu are other zoonotic diseases.
The rabies virus attacks the central nervous system causing severely distressing neurological symptoms before causing the victim to die.
Rabies is the deadliest disease on earth with a 99.9% fatality rate.

Is rabies always fatal?

Yes, it is always fatal once clinical symptoms appear.
However, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) stops the virus before clinical symptoms appear, if given immediately after exposure (from a bite or scratch of a rabid animal).
- See more at: http://rabiesalliance.org/rabies/what-is-rabies-and-frequently-asked-questions/what-is-rabies/#sthash.4FFwaR0F.dpuf

What is rabies?

Rabies is a viral disease that is transmitted through the saliva or tissues from the nervous system from an infected mammal to another mammal.
Rabies is a zoonotic disease. Zoonotic diseases can pass between species. Bird flu and swine flu are other zoonotic diseases.
The rabies virus attacks the central nervous system causing severely distressing neurological symptoms before causing the victim to die.
Rabies is the deadliest disease on earth with a 99.9% fatality rate.

Is rabies always fatal?

Yes, it is always fatal once clinical symptoms appear.
However, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) stops the virus before clinical symptoms appear, if given immediately after exposure (from a bite or scratch of a rabid animal).
- See more at: http://rabiesalliance.org/rabies/what-is-rabies-and-frequently-asked-questions/what-is-rabies/#sthash.4FFwaR0F.dpuf

Dangers of Pets Abroad

Last year when I went to a talk at the local vets about lungworm, the representative mentioned that she believed that the diseases in the UK would change dramatically due to a new law that was introduced on the 1^st January 2012.

This law is in affect to save pet owners hassle and money.  But what effect will it have on the population on the UK’s pets?

The law before the 1^st January 2012 was:

UK Pet Travel Scheme allows cats and dogs to enter the UK from an EU member state or a ‘listed’ 3rd country provided that they are microchipped, have been vaccinated against rabies, have had a blood test to confirm an adequate serological response, and have waited for 6 months after the blood test before entry into the UK. Animals must be treated against ticks and tapeworms 24-48 hours before entry into the UK. All treatments must be recorded in a pet passport or 3rd country veterinary health certificate. Pets from ‘unlisted*’ 3rd countries are required to spend 6 months in quarantine.

*An ‘unlisted’ country is any country not included in the list of EU and non-EU countries that is considered high risk for diseases such as rabies.

The law now:

Dogs, cats and ferrets entering the UK from an EU member state or a ‘listed’ 3rd country will still need to be microchipped and to be vaccinated against rabies. However, a blood test will no longer be required, and the waiting period after vaccination will be reduced to 21 days. Tick treatment will not be required. Dogs entering the UK must have been treated by a veterinary surgeon against tapeworm one to five days previously.

Dogs, cats and ferrets entering the UK from an unlisted 3rd country will no longer be required to spend 6 months in quarantine provided they enter the UK through an approved route and meet the EU entry requirements (microchip, rabies vaccination, blood sample at least 30 days after vaccination, and a wait of 3 months after the blood sample). Tapeworm treatment is required as above.

The advantages to the new law:

• ·         It will make going on holiday much more accessible to people who rely on animals for assistance.

• ·         It will also be easier for people who have two houses in different countries to be able travel without the hassle of quarantine.

So what effect will this have to the wider population?

The decrease in cost and hassle of being able to take your pet on holiday with you will invariably encourage many owners to take their pet away with them, which will lead to an increased chance of diseases not currently in the UK to be brought in from other countries.

This will have a serious effect on not only the health of the animals, but also human health.  The vets are struggling as it is to keep up with the mutations of parasites and diseases currently in the UK without new problems coming in from other countries. 

For example; at the moment the UK are trying to stay free from dog tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis) which is known to occur in the following countries of Central Europe: Belgium, Luxembourg,  France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany and Poland. “Although [the tapeworm is] relatively benign in dogs, the resulting disease in humans – alveolar echinococcosis – is an invasive, cancer-like cystic stage of the parasite, and is invariably fatal if not treated.”

These are some of the more common diseases that your pet may pick up abroad (and what they are spread by):

• Leishmaniosis (Sandflies)
• Heartworm (Mosquitoes)
• Babesiosis (Ticks)
• Ehrlichiosis (Ticks)
• Echinococcus multilocaris - Tapeworm (small rodents if eaten)
• Rabies (bite/saliva from another infected animal)

  Those of you who follow my blog will remember my post on Schmallenburg in livestock and the devastation that caused in many parts of the UK, that disease is also transferred by mosquitoes so we already know that mosquitoes have the potential to bring disease from Germany to the UK.

And with the law removing the need to have tick treatment to re-enter the UK there is also the potential for babesiosis and ehrlichiosis to be brought in.

 So what is my view?

 My view is that unless it is 100% necessary to take your pet abroad, leave them at home.  It is not worth the risk to your animals health and human health.  Please consult your vet if you have any concerns or queries about travelling abroad with your pet.

for more information on the requirements to take your pet abroad visit: 
https://www.gov.uk/pet-travel-information-for-pet-owners

I have referenced the BSAVA, ESCCAP and DEFRA websites in producing this post.

Alternative to Pet Insurance

I was speaking to someone in my village when I was walking my dog and they were telling me about how they went about paying for their pets' vet bills.  They have a massive leonberger dog and had 3 cats and it was impossible for them to find anyone that would insure their dog at a reasonable price.

As nothing is 100% guaranteed to go wrong with one pet but 101 things may go wrong with another, insurance can sometimes lose or save you money and it usually comes with an excess (you have to pay a certain amount before the insurance company will pay out. eg. excess of £100, bill of £500 you pay £100 and they pay £400) and sometimes the condition your pet has might be in a sneaky clause that says the insurance will not cover you for x,y, or z.

The way they put aside money for the dreaded vet bills was that they had a bank account that they put however much it would cost to insure the cats each month into this bank account and if anything was to go wrong with the pets they would use the money specifically for the pets in the bank account.  This paid off because although unfortunately the cats had to be put to sleep (the condition was not such that the cats could recover) - they both had strokes - age 2 and 12.  As euthanasia is relatively cheap compared to any operation they still had money left over which came in useful when their dog a few months later had a £900 operation on her foot to remove a tumour - which if they had not put the money away, the operation would not have been possible.  In this particular case they would have been paying out for the cats (for which would have not been helpful) and had no money set aside for their dog.

This is just something to make you think and NOT telling you to do this or not to do this.  Whichever you pick it is a risk as both ways have the potential to save you a fortune or lose you a fortune as it is a risk due to the cost of insurance that may or may not be necessary and if you don't insure then the cost may be more than you have had chance to save by putting away the cost of insurance each month.  My dog is insured for £14 a month and so far *fingers crossed* she has had nothing that we needed to claim on the insurance for, however, my grandma has just claimed a lot (don't know exact figures) for tumours around the eyes that needed removing.  But as shown above this way benefited for this family.  Please see my Pet Insurance post for more information on that.

But which ever method you decide to use to put aside money for operations etc it is your decision and I am sure there are even more options depending on your circumstances.  But I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you definitely put money away/insure in case something does go wrong.  People think it doesn't happen to them but it does.  At my time on work experience I have seen multiple animals having to be sent to cat or doggy heaven because the owners simply cannot pay.  For example just the other week a 2yo cat that needed surgery to either fix or amputate. Fix - very expensive.  Amputate - about £600.  Euthanasia - £60.  However, the next day a cat that had been hit by a car needing a slightly different operation - displacement of hock - that needed drilling and tying the bones back together had the option of surgery as it was insured.  Things do go wrong so make sure you are prepared! It may just happen to you!