Rabies is not just a disease of the past. It is very real, very present, and it is killing both pets and people — even children.
Recently, a heart-wrenching case aired on national television showing a teenager in the Philippines dying of rabies after hiding a dog bite. In another horrifying incident, a man in Davao del Norte reportedly died after consuming dog meat (locally known as azucena) on October 24, 2024. These are not isolated stories. They are reminders of the deadly silence that rabies brings — and the lives it continues to claim.
WHAT IS RABIES?
Rabies is a viral infection that affects the brain and spinal cord. It is almost always fatal once symptoms appear — in both animals and humans.
It is transmitted primarily through the bite of an infected animal, usually a dog. It can also spread through scratches or open wounds exposed to saliva from a rabid animal.
There is NO cure once clinical signs show. Death is 100% certain.
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SIGNS OF RABIES IN HUMANS
- Confusion or agitation
- Difficulty swallowing (hydrophobia)
- Hallucinations
- Excessive salivation
- Paralysis or muscle spasms
- Coma leading to death
Once symptoms appear, it is too late.
THE TRUTH ABOUT RABIES IN PETS
Rabid dogs may become aggressive, disoriented, or show unusual behavior.
Some may appear quiet or overly friendly at first — a deceptive calm before the storm.
Death often follows in a matter of days.
VACCINATE YOUR PETS — EVERY YEAR
Rabies is 100% preventable through timely vaccination. All dogs and cats must be vaccinated as early as 3 months of age, with regular annual boosters.
However, we are now facing a critical shortage of rabies vaccines such as Defensor and Rabisin, due to global stock disruptions. Clinics are reporting depleting supplies, and we may not stabilize inventory until November 2025.
To fellow veterinarians:
If you have access to rabies vaccine stocks, secure your supply now. We must prioritize responsible distribution to reach as many animals as possible.
To pet owners:
Do not delay your pet’s rabies shot. Call your veterinarian and get your pet scheduled as early as possible. It is not optional — it is the law and your duty.
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IMPORTANT: NEVER EAT DOG MEAT
Eating dog meat is not just illegal and inhumane — it can be deadly. Rabies can survive in nervous tissue even after cooking. Consuming infected meat is a confirmed route of transmission.
Let the Davao del Norte case be a grim warning.
RABIES = DEATH
There is no treatment once signs show. The patient in the viral video — violently convulsing, strapped to a hospital bed, battling hydrophobia — is a chilling representation of what rabies looks like in its final stages.
It is painful.
It is terrifying.
It is irreversible.
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PROTECT YOUR FAMILY, YOUR PETS, YOURSELF
- Vaccinate all pets annually.
- Report animal bites immediately.
- Avoid stray animals.
- Do not consume dog meat.
- Educate your community.
LET’S NOT WAIT UNTIL IT’S TOO LATE
Rabies is a silent killer, but together, we can be louder. Let’s speak up, act early, and protect lives.
Because once the symptoms start, no medicine, no doctor, no prayer can stop what’s coming.
Share this post. You might save a life.
Dr. Geoff Carullo is a Fellow and the current President of the Philippine College of Canine Practitioners.
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