Every time rabies virus is mentioned, everyone is nervous. They always think that this is a virus as risky as a terminal disease. In fact, this virus has gradually disappeared in developed countries.
Today's article by veterinarian Xiaoming is to refute those things about rabies virus. Is rabies virus really that terrible? Are cats and dogs really that scary?
Healthy cats and dogs can also carry rabies virus?
Generally speaking, healthy cats and dogs are born without rabies virus, otherwise how can they be called healthy cats and dogs? However, it does not rule out the possibility that a very small number of seemingly healthy cats and dogs carry rabies virus implicitly, which is generally transmitted through acquired transmission. For example, healthy dog wounds come into contact with the saliva of animals with rabies virus.
But carrying doesn't mean being an absolute "dangerous person". Do you think it's contradictory for veterinarian Xiaoming to say so?
So let's look at the difference between the two concepts of carrying and infection:
What is carrying rabies virus?
Carrying a virus means that there is a virus in a human or animal, but it does not break out. Although the virus has invaded the human body (animal), the human body (animal) will use its own immune defense system to fight against and remove the virus, and finally achieve a state of balance between the two, that is, the virus and the human body (animal) are at peace.
Cats and dogs may carry rabies virus, other animals may also carry rabies virus, and most importantly, humans may also carry rabies virus. So this pot can't be completely carried by cats and dogs.
What is rabies virus infection?
Virus infection refers to the process that virus invades the body and begins to proliferate in susceptible host cells. At this time, the virus began to cause disease to people (animals).
If cats and dogs are infected with rabies virus, it will not be said that the incubation period is long, but it will definitely happen within six months at the longest. The research of the World Health Organization also shows that cats and dogs will definitely die within 3 to 5 days after onset, and it will not exceed 10 days. This is the so-called "ten-day observation method".
In other words, cats and dogs infected with rabies virus are really "dangerous elements".
Why do cats and dogs without rabies virus need rabies vaccine?
Those so-called healthy cats and dogs that don't carry rabies virus, then why should they be vaccinated against rabies? Is this necessary?
As we all know, rabies virus is contagious, and it is mainly transmitted through dog saliva when it comes on. This rabies virus will not only infect people, but also dogs, and dogs and cats, cats and cats, dogs and cats will infect each other. There is no virus in cats and dogs at present, and there is no guarantee that they will be infected in the future.
Therefore, injecting rabies vaccine into cats and dogs regularly can make them produce anti-rabies antibodies and make them less susceptible to rabies, which is a guarantee for cats and dogs and their owners and is quite necessary.
Healthy cats and dogs bite. Why do people get vaccinated?
Well, speaking of which, since healthy cats and dogs have no rabies virus and are vaccinated regularly, it is reasonable to say that cats and dogs are relatively harmless animals to human beings at this time, so why are people bitten by them in this situation, or do you suggest rabies vaccination?
The key thing to remember is to give rabies vaccine to cats and dogs to protect themselves from rabies virus infection, not to protect people. You've been bitten. Take a vaccine to protect yourself.
As for the extent of vaccination, veterinarian Xiaoming believes that as long as there are exposed wounds, it is best to vaccinate for safety.
How to keep cats and dogs without being "dangerous"?
Going back to the original theme, it is a bit far-fetched to say that keeping cats and dogs is a dangerous thing. Although rabies virus is named after "rabies", it is actually not unique to dogs or cats. Cattle, horses and sheep that we often come into contact with in our daily life may also carry rabies virus.
If you raise pigs, you may encounter swine flu, chickens, ducks and geese, and you may be infected with bird flu, and there are many wild animals abroad.
If you haven't relaxed your mind, for example, people may also carry rabies virus. If someone bites, they should be vaccinated against rabies. So raising people is also a dangerous thing?
Veterinarian Xiaoming believes that it is not that keeping any kind of pet is dangerous, but how to keep it, which is what we often say is the necessity of keeping pets scientifically.
1, vaccinate regularly to repel insects.
Rabies vaccine is actually a national compulsory vaccination vaccine for pets. However, due to its low toxicity, pets need to be vaccinated after 3 months of age, and their health is normal, and then they can be given a shot every year.
In addition to vaccines, another condition to ensure the health of the pet is deworming, including deworming in and out of the pet. Whether it is a cat indoors or a dog that often goes out, it is necessary to ensure that it is well repelled.
2. Avoid contact between cats and dogs and animals of unknown origin.
After being scratched or bitten by a sick animal, it is easy to be infected with rabies virus, so the shovel officer should avoid letting his pet contact with animals of unknown origin, especially puppies that have not been fully vaccinated. At this time, the puppies have poor resistance and are very susceptible to virus infection.
There is also a controversy here, that is, is it necessary for indoor cats to get rabies vaccine every year? After the first immunization, indoor cats never go out again and have no chance to contact with animals outside. According to the truth, there is no possibility of being infected, and rabies vaccine has certain side effects. Can you stop injecting rabies vaccine?
The living environment of indoor cats is relatively safer, and the risk of rabies virus infection is less. As for whether it is necessary to fight every year, veterinarian Xiaoming thinks that cats can be tested for antibodies, and it is also possible to have antibodies in their bodies without injections.
Keeping a pet is a very healing thing, and the pet itself is a very beautiful existence. Don't put yourself under unnecessary pressure and worry about keeping a pet because of various rumors. What's the point of keeping pets like this?
Before keeping a pet, the shovel officer should not only make all the preparations, but also do his homework on common sense of keeping a pet, so as to really enjoy keeping a pet, right?