On Day 3 of his volunteering trip to Hyderabad, India, Dr. Cliff and the PFA Hyderabad crew received a call about a previously mild-mannered dog who had suddenly turned aggressive. Reportedly, he was salivating heavily and appeared to have something stuck in his throat. After arriving at the scene, it took them a while to net the dog who kept bolting away. In time, they captured and sedated him so Dr. Cliff could take a look down his throat. He found no obstruction, but the airway felt somewhat swollen.
The real concern with this dog was Rabies. They muzzled him with a strap as he was coming to, and carried him to the van. Just as they were loading him in, he suddenly got loose in the back seat. Luckily, Dr. Cliff noticed and jumped into action with the net. It took two to subdue the dog, but not before he lunged and almost took a nip at one of the crew. Luckily nobody got hurt, and with a sigh of relief, they got him to the shelter and into an isolation cage.
Rabies In India
Rabies is a neurological disease that affects mammals only. It is caused by a virus that damages the nerves. While it is preventable with regular vaccinations, this is an impossible task where large populations of stray dogs exist. The virus is transmitted by direct contact through broken skin or mucous membranes. Humans mostly get it after receiving bites from infected animals.
Each year, 50,000 people die from Rabies around the globe. Of them, 30,000 are on the Indian Subcontinent, and most are children! These are shocking and tragic statistics. Consequently, Rabies remains a very serious threat in India, and the PFA Hyderabad team takes no chances with suspect cases like this dog. The only way to keep everyone safe was to pull him off the street and place him in isolation for 5 – 7 days to observe his symptoms.
The disease begins with damage to the nerves in the throat which results in excessive salivation. And those were the exact symptoms that this dog presented with. If he indeed had the virus, within a few days, it would progress to the brain. In the movies, rabid animals are dramatically depicted with foaming discharge from the mouth. This can occur when the animal is not able to swallow its saliva. A positive diagnosis of Rabies can only be made by doing a biopsy of the brain after the animal dies. If this stray had Rabies, he would have to be humanely euthanized, and if not, he’d be set free. Consequently, there was nothing to be done, other than keeping him hydrated and watching for signs of disease progression.
About People For Animals, Hyderabad
PFA Hyderabad advocates for domestic animals, wildlife, lab animals as well as pets. They also investigate animal abuse in the entertainment and factory farming industries. Their success is very dependent on private donations through membership programs. For more information or to donate, visit PFA Hyderabad.
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About Dr. Cliff
Dr. Cliff Redford, DVM, is an experienced veterinarian and owner/operator of the Wellington Veterinary Hospital in Markham, Ontario, Canada. Fondly known as Dr. Cliff to his clients, he has tended to the wellness of pets and animals for over two decades. Hands-on experience in his clinic, combined with animal advocacy and rescue missions locally and across the globe, has allowed him to curate a vast body of knowledge on animal health and welfare, including preventative counselling, soft tissue surgery, advanced dental procedures, internal medicine and emergency care.