Dogs by Nature

OTHER STUFF

The Rabies risk

Earlier this year poor Stitch had a run-in with nature :-( We have a small river running close to home and because it is quite far from the road I let the dogs run loose there sometimes. The reeds are very dense on the riverbank to such an extent that the river is at places completely concealed behind vegetation. Then one day on such a walk suddenly Stitch came to a complete halt in front of the reeds... intensely focused on a sound.  Then, while Lilly and I still tried to figure out what he was listening to, he bolted straight into the vegetation – out of sight! I only saw the hind-end of a huge cane rat disappearing in the vegetation and what followed next was a series of growls, cries, yelps and barks while the reeds shivered, quivered and trembled... Then out came Stitch... all sulking and pathetic-looking – limping on three legs. And then he sat down, unable to limp even a single step further. Apart from two very small teeth-mark bites on his leg, I could see no physical damage, yet I was compelled to carry him home for a good 2 km! At home he made an elaborate effort of limping and had to be carried up and down the stairs. Throughout the night he woke and cried... making me carry him to the garden and back to bed again... at least 5 times! The next day the vet could not find anything wrong with his paw either but nonetheless applied a bandage and prescribed an anti-inflammatory... setting us back at least a  few hundred rand. It seemed the bandage and pills worked wonders, he was running again within a day (no sign of a limp), although we could not take him on excursions for 2 weeks (vet’s orders)! 

One of the reasons why I’m reciting this story is to bring attention to the mater of rabies... September 28 was world rabies day and apparently (Greater) cane rats (just like mongoose, squirrels and hares) are species that can become rabid. Previously I’ve heard rumors that if a dog is bitten by a wild animal, that wild animal is considered potentially rabid. If the bitten dog’s rabies vaccination is not up to date, by law it has to be euthanized. On conducting an internet search I could find nothing that confirms this rumor. I did however find the following: According to the rabies guide for the medical, veterinary and allied professions by the departments of Agriculture and Health: “The management of contact domestic animals exposed to rabies can be complicated by the lack of an immediate perceived threat to human life. As human exposure is likely should a domestic animal develop rabies, the recommendation is normally to cull the exposed animal. Management of these cases is difficult because of emotional attachment to the animal, the value of the animal, difficulties in determining vaccination status and the democratic rights of individuals.” The diagram below is copied from this rabies guide:

Although the rabies guide does not reference this diagram in its text I assume that it refers to a case where a human is bitten by a dog. Nevertheless this situation in itself should present enough motivation to ensure your dog’s rabies vaccination is up to date. Luckily Stitch’s was up to date and there was no need to worry. Especially for dogs frequently enjoying the great outdoors the risk of rabies is absolutely far from negligible. 

In 2012 the Gauteng Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Nandi Mayathula-Khoza has warned: “‘In South Africa, we have good laws but the challenge is that we don't enforce such laws. As Gauteng, we are going to be very strict against pet owners if their rabid dogs bite our people. There will be no more lenient fines - it is compulsory for all dogs and cats to be vaccinated against rabies.’ “