Objectives

A study of rabies post-exposure treatment in dog and livestock is still needed, to save the exposed animal from getting rabies as the value of some of these animals is much more than being euthanized or slaughtered. This study was to investigate methods of protecting animals from rabies infection and proving the effectiveness of a rabies postexposure treatment regime.

Materials & Methods

A 3-day-interval injection series with an animal rabies vaccine (Rabisin: MERIAL ) was commenced immediately in three pigs (one gravid) and one dog, all bitten by laboratory confirmed rabid dog in Suphanburi Province, Thailand. The injection program was five times per diem in pigs and in four times per diem in dog. Paired sera were collected from the pigs for virus neutralising antibody by RFFIT on initial administration and six weeks after the last injection. The dog (never vaccinated) was excluded from control sera collection.

Results

Antibody titres of control sera in the pigs were <0.1 IU/ml, and 6 weeks after the last injection were 0.48 IU/ml, 5.91IU/ml and 1.61 IU/ml in the pigs and >8.0 IU/ml in the dog, respectively. Two treated pigs survived without any sign of rabies for eighteen months, before being sold for slaughter. The gravid pig produced normal piglets after treatment followed by three farrowings, and still lives. The dog currently survives.

Conclusion

A 3-day-interval rabies post-exposure regime could represent an option for rabies post-exposure treatment in animals. This could be use in gravid animal with no foetal affection.