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Written by Webmaster
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Thursday, 15 February 2007 |
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Rabies is a lethal disease that is
endemic in most parts of the world. Only a few countries are
considered Rabies free. Australia is fortunately one such country.
This means that for animals being bought into or taken out of
Australia there are important facts that must be addressed. Here at
the Ascot Veterinary Surgery all our veterinary staff is qualified
to give advice on the medical procedures neccessary to take your
favourite companion overseas and get them back safely.
Rabies is considered universally
fatal to unvaccinated animals or people. Fortunately in people that
are aware they have been bitten it is possible to get post exposure
vaccinations. Rabies can affect almost all warm blooded animals.
Rabies has a extremely long and varied incubation period. One child
was suggested that the incubation period was around 6 years before
she died from the virus. Dogs account for 99% of all human rabies
deaths. Urban Rabies (the subtype that affects dogs) is the sole
cycle in South East Asia, and is the dominant cycle in Asia,
Central and South America, and Africa. Dogs are the host and while
they may infect other species these species do not spread the
disease but will die. There are other subtypes of rabies that can
cycle in other host such as skunks, foxes, racoons and bats, the
urban form is most important for Australia."rabies_map.gif"
In Australia in most cases it is uneccessary to vaccinate for
Rabies. Most veterinarians cannot legally obtain Rabies Vaccine.
Australia Quarantine maintains a register of authorized
veterinarians who can administer the rabies vaccine, mainly to
animals travelling overseas. If you are planning such a trip it is
advised you contact a AQIS registered veterinarian such as those at
the Ascot Veterinary Surgery to obtain information regarging
preparing your pet for transport. For large numbers of animals we
can provide siginificant discounts to testing and vaccination.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 12 March 2007 )
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