March is National Rabies Awareness Month in the Philippines.
For the public, it is a reminder to vaccinate.
For government, it is a campaign.
For pet owners, it is a responsibility.
For veterinarians, it is something heavier.
Because rabies is not just a disease.
It is an occupational hazard that carries emotional weight, mental burden, and financial consequence.
And not many people talk about that part.
The Emotional Toll: The Case You Never Forget
Rabies cases feel different.
The moment suspicion enters your mind, the atmosphere shifts. Every restraint, every attempt to examine the mouth, every droplet carries risk. You are not just treating a patient — you are calculating exposure.
Then comes confirmation. A positive result from RITM or BAI hits hard. Even if you wore gloves. Even if you followed protocol. Even if you were vaccinated.
You replay the encounter in your head.
Did saliva splash? Was there a small abrasion?
You go home carrying something invisible. That is the emotional cost.
The Mental Burden: Knowledge Cuts Both Ways
Rabies is almost universally fatal once symptoms appear. We know this better than anyone.
That knowledge protects us. But it also haunts us.
Even after boosters, even after reassurances, the mind overthinks. A headache feels suspicious. Fatigue feels different. A tingling sensation becomes a question mark.
This is not weakness. It is the burden of understanding the disease too well.
The Financial Reality: The Hidden Expense
Managing a suspected rabies case affects the entire clinic:
- PPE and strict barrier protocols
- Staff exposure assessment
- Post-exposure prophylaxis
- Laboratory submission costs
- Operational disruption
For associates, boosters may mean personal expense. For clinic owners, it means protecting every staff member while keeping operations running. Rabies exposure is not just a health threat — it has economic consequences in an already demanding profession.
The Professional Dilemma
When a neurologic dog with dysphagia and behavior changes walks into your clinic, you balance three things at once:
- Compassion for the patient
- Protection of your team
- Responsibility to public health
Sometimes that means recommending euthanasia. Sometimes it means reporting. Sometimes it means standing firm despite emotional owners.
We are clinicians. But we are also part of the public health defense line.
Rabies is endemic in the Philippines. It is real. It is present. And every confirmed case reminds us that prevention is always cheaper, safer, and kinder than reaction.
Why Awareness Matters
This National Rabies Awareness Month, as we advocate vaccination and responsible ownership, let us also acknowledge ourselves.
We absorb the anxiety.
We carry the mental load.
We shoulder the financial risk.
All so the transmission stops with us.
Dr. Geoff Carullo is a Fellow and the current President of the Philippine College of Canine Practitioners.
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