Rabies in a Vaccinated 9-Month-Old German Shepherd Dog, Akure, 2010: A Case Report

After the onset of symptoms, the clinical course of rabies is almost invariably fatal. Rabies has traditionally been associated with dogs more than any other animal, and in parts of the world where domestic animal control and vaccination programs are limited, dogs remain the most important reservoir of the disease. We report a case of canine rabies in a vaccinated 9-month-old German shepherd female dog. The presenting clinical sign was jaw muscle paralysis with a hanging bronze color like tongue without salivation. Following encephalectomy, a rabies positive diagnosis was confirmed by fluorescent antibody technique at the Rabies Laboratory, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom. The epidemiology of the rabies case is not understood. This case is of public health significance because of the at-risk population including animal health care service provider and animals. The following were recommended, (a) a reinvigorated control measure that includes the awareness program on prevention, responsible dog ownership with dog registration at veterinary hospitals, and registered veterinary clinics by the government and (b) a yearly rabies vaccination campaign that must be improved through the veterinary public health and other health departments collaborating. 1. Introduction The relationship between man and dogs spans several centuries [1]. Rabies is a disease of great public health importance because the case fatality rate is almost 100% [2]. The etiologic agents of rabies are members of the Rhabdoviridae, genus Lyssavirus, with seven recognized genotypes [2, 3]. Canine rabies is endemic in Nigeria. In a study in the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, 46.9% (153/326) laboratory confirmed cases were recorded during January 2006–December 2007; 24.8% (38/153) were puppies aged 1–6 month; 70% (107/153) were dogs ≥7-month age [4]. Delays in diagnosis greatly increase the number of contacts that require postexposure prophylaxis. In the USA, one case resulted in 209 postexposure treatments (PET). The early diagnosis of rabies is also essential to eliminate the expense and discomfort of unnecessary diagnostic tests and inappropriate therapy [5]. Sustained vaccination programs are essential for adequacy of coverage and immunocompetence of the reservoir population. Most importantly, because the exposure risks are quite high in urban settings [6] particularly, this case, being vaccinated. This study is aimed at determining rabies in a vaccinated dog with a view to improve this rabies control measure. 2. Case History A 9-month-old German shepherd dog