Chapter I: Introduction .
Dog bite is one of the neglected issue of Veterinary sector in Bangladesh though it is 100%
preventable (Hossainet al; 2011). Every year a large number of cases occurred in cattle, goat and sheep. Dog bite wounds in different livestock species are the most common types of traumatic injuries (Parrish, 1966; Berzon, 1972; Harris, 1974; Marr, 1979; Haitch et al;1980).
Usually dog bite occurs in different animals due to some reasons such as: they are being furious while threatened during feeding and feeling afraid at the time while there territory being invaded.
Sometimes they can be jealous in case of new entry to their territory (Appleby, 2002;Hart et al;
1985).
Dog bites cause Rabies in animals. It is a fatal zoonotic viral disease caused by the bullet-shaped viral particles of the rabies group of Rhabdoviridae, genus Lyssavirus (Fenner, et al., 1993).
Viruses are typically present in the saliva of clinically ill animals and transmitted to animals through bites or scratches, usually via saliva (WHO). After entering the central nervous system of the next host, the virus causes an acute, progressive encephalomyelitis that is almost always fatal (Botvinkinet al., 2003)
After entering in the body, virus will travel along the nerves to the brain. In the brain, the viruses multiply quickly and produce clinical signs (OIE T Manual, France, 2013). Dogs are the main reservoir of the virus and are responsible for excess infections in humans and animals(Hossainet al., 2011).
Dogs, cats, jackals and other wild animals are the carriers of this infection. In Bangladesh most of the rabies cases in both humans and animals are due to dog bites. Among the domestic animals, cattle and goats are most commonly affected (Samad, 2013).
Sporadic incidences occur across the country throughout the year. The most important conditions for successful spread of rabies virus are large population of stray dogs.
The mortality rate in livestock is unknown and a large number of dog bite cases remain unrecorded due to ignorance and lack of facilities (Samad, 2013). Moreover, epidemiological studies of rabies in Bangladesh are very limited (Ali et al.,1982; Biswaset al., 1996).
If dog bites are managed properly and timely, rabies can be prevented to a large extent. In this regard the main important thing is post exposure treatment and management of dog bite cases.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is the immediate treatment of a bitten animal after rabies exposure. This prevents virus to enter into the central nervous system, which results in imminent death. PEP consists of extensive washing and local treatment of the wound as soon as possible after exposure; a course of potent and effective rabies vaccine that meets WHO standards; and administration of rabies immunoglobulin if indicated. According to WHO following are the categories of contact and recommended PEP:
Category 1– touching or feeding animals, licks on intact skin by rabid dog; No PEP is required.
Category 2- licking of uncovered skin, minor scratches or abrasions without bleeding;
immediate vaccination and local treatment of the wound is required.
Category3- single or multiple bites or scratches, licks on broken skin; contamination of mucous membrane with saliva from licks, contacts with rabid dog; immediate vaccination and
administration of rabies immunoglobulin is must, also local treatment of the wound.
Dog bite in domestic animal is managed by antiseptic washing and dressing of wounds.
Immediate and thorough flushing and washing of the wound for a minimum 15 minutes with soap and water, detergent, povidone iodine or other substances can kill the rabies virus. Wound should not be closed to prevent anaerobic conditions. Tetanus toxoid should be given to prevent clostridial infection. Broad spectrum antibiotic should be administered for 3-7 days to prevent secondary infections.
Rabid dog bite in domestic animals and dogs are managed by post-exposure rabies vaccine which should be initiated immediately with contacts of dog bites. In case of multiple and severe wound rabies immunoglobulin should be given.
Commercially available post exposure rabies vaccines are Rabisin. Post exposure vaccine should be administered in three doses on days 1, 7 and 21.
Bangladesh is one of several countries in which no molecular study has been conducted to identify types of rabies virus circulating within its boundaries (Jamilet al., 2012).
Stray dog control is one of the essential ways to mitigate both rabies and dog bites problem in our country. Community awareness about rabies is very crucial in rabies prevention and control (Geneva report; 2005). If any biting animal suspected of being rabid should be immediately killed humanly (Geneva report; 2005).
Considering the above facts the aims of this study were:
1) To estimate the proportionate prevalence estimates of dog bite in cattle, goat and sheep encountered during the internship placements in Bangladesh and India
2) To describe the types of bites encountered according to WHO 3) To assess the prevalence of dog bite wounds at different body parts 4) To know the therapeutic management of dog bites in livestock
Chapter II
Materials and Methods
2.1. Description of the study area and duration
Dog bites cases in different species during the internship placement at the Upazilla Veterinary Hospital (UVH), Anowara, Chittagong and the Veterinary College & Research Institute,
Namakkal (VC&RI), India were recorded and examined. The study was conducted at UVH from 1 March to 6 April,2017 and at VC&RI from 8 May to 22 May,2017.
Figure 1: Map showing the Geographical area where from animals brought to the UVH, Anowara
2.2. Study population
During the entire study period a total of 22 dog bite cases in different livestock species were recorded. Bite histories were taken by interviewing the animals’ owners and then the cases were
examined clinically and physically. Other information such as species, age, and sex, site of dog bite and vaccination status of individual cases were also recorded
2.3. Diagnosis of rabies
The clinical diagnosis of rabies is one of the difficult tasks for a veterinarian. Information about rabies and its management were obtained from the farmers who brought their animals bitten by dogs. A rabies case was suspected based on clinical history, signs and symptoms. The following clinical signs were considered to define a suspected rabies case, such as excessive salivation, behavioral change, aggression, restlessness, mania, hyper excitability or hyperesthesia (Drew, 2004; Rupprechtet al., 2006; Hudson et al., 1996).
2.4. Statistical analysis: Data collected were entered into the MS Excel program 2007 then sorted, cleaned and coded. Data was then exported to STATA-13 (STATA Corporation 4905, Lakeway River, College Station, Texas 77845, USA) for statistical analysis. The results were expressed as frequency, number and percentage for each variable studied.
Chapter III RESULTS
3.1. Overall proportionate prevalence of dog bites cases
The proportionate prevalence of dog bite in cattle, goat and sheep was12.5%, 18.7% and 20%, respectively in the animals registered to the UVH for treatments and its prevalence was 0%, 25%
and 0% , respectively in the animals brought to the VC&RI (Table 1). Therefore, the prevalence of dog bite was higher in goat compared with other two livestock species.
Table 1.Prevalence estimates of dog bite in the study populations at UVH and VC&RI
Species UVH VC&RI Dog bite Dog bite
N Yes (%) No N Yes (%) No
Cattle 40 5 (12.5%) 35 25 0 (0%) 25
Goat 75 14 (18.7%) 61 8 2 (25%) 6
Sheep 5 1 (20%) 4 2 0 (0%) 2
3.2. Distribution of dog bite at different parts of animal body
Of the body parts hind quarter was found to be most common site recorded with dog irrespective of animal species. Of the dog bitten cattle and goats 40% cattle had the bite marks at this part of the body while goat had even a higher proportion, 50%.
Table 2. Frequency distribution of dog bite at different parts of animal body
Site of bite Cattle (N=5)
Goat (N=14)
Sheep
(N=1) Freq.
Hind quarter 2 (40%) 7 (50%) 0 9
Fore quarter 1 (20%) 2 (14.3%) 0 3
Abdomen area 1 (20%) 3 (21.4%) 0 4
Face/Neck 1 (20%) 2 (14.3%) 0 3
Vulva 0 0 1 (100%) 1
Figures 2.1- 2.6 are portrayed with different categories of dog bites observed in different body parts of cattle, goats and sheep in the study populations
Fig 2.1. Dog bite wound in the head of a goat Fig 2.2. Sign of rabies, drolling of saliva
Fig 2.3. Dog bite in hind quarter of a goat Fig 2.4. Dog bite in fore quarter of a goat
Fig 2.5. Dog bite in vulva of a sheep Fig 2.6. Dog bite in the body of a calf
3.3. Age and Sex related prevalence of dog bite
In this study, the recorded prevalence of dog bite in male and female was 7.7% and 14.8% in cattle; 16.7% and 20% in goat; 0% and 33.3% in sheep (Table 3). Incidence of dog bite was higher in female than male. The prevalence of dog bite was higher in young animals compared with older. Graphically, the prevalence estimates of dog bite according to animal species, sex distribution, age distribution and post-exposure vaccination in Fig 1,2,3 and 4, respectively.
Table 3.Prevalence of dog bite in different species according to age and sex
Variables
Cattle Goat Sheep
N + (%) -
N + (%) -
N + (%) -
Male 13 1(7.7) 12 30 5(16.7) 25 2 0 2
Female 27 4(14.8) 23 45 9(20) 36 3 1(33.3) 2
<1 year 17 3(17.6) 14 52 11(21.2) 41 4 1(25) 3
>1 year 23 2(8.7) 21 23 3(13) 20 1 0 1
3.4. Management of dog bites
Dog bites in animals were managed by washing the biting sites by alkaline soap water and then by dressing with either an antiseptic or an antibiotic powder.
Table 4. Different management practice for dog bite
Species n
Wash with alkaline soap
water
Dressing with antibiotic powder
Post exposure vaccination
N (%) N (%)
Cattle 5 4 (80%) 1 (20%) 3 (60%)
Goat 16 14 (87.5%) 2 (12.5%) 13 (81.25%)
Sheep 1 1 (100%) 0 1 (100%)
Rabies cases
During the study period two rabies cases were recorded, one in a bovine animal and the other in a goat who had history of dog bite in the past.
Cattle Goat Sheep 0
5 10 15 20 25
UVH VC&RI
Figure 3: Proportionate prevalence of dog bite in cattle, goat and sheep at UVH and VC&RI
Cattle Goat Sheep
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Hind quarter Fore quarter Abdomen area Face/Neck Vulva
Figure 4: Categories of dog bite in cattle, goat and sheep according to WHO
Cattle Goat Sheep 0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Male Female
Figure 5: Sex distribution of dog bite in cattle, goat and sheep at UVH
Cattle Goat Sheep
0 5 10 15 20 25
<1 year
>1 year
Figure 6: Age distribution of dog bite in cattle, goat and sheep at UVH
Chapter IV DISCUSSION
These results imply that dog bite is abundance in the area where the cases occurred in livestock such as cattle, goat and sheep. Incidence of rabies in livestock is a re-emerging global
phenomenon being reported in rabies endemic countries (ProMED; 2012).
Death due to rabies in livestock was one during study period and it was confirmed by observing rabies sign. Though it’s a report on UVH, two rabies cases from VC&RI, India were included.
The present study of suspected rabies cases in livestock species corresponds to the earlier studies in Bangladesh and India (Blanton et al., 2006; Ichhpujaniet al., 2008; Hossainet al., 1986;
Rahmanet al., 1984). They found 1.2% case in cattle, 0.5% in goat. However, the low level of prevalence of rabies was reported 0.5% in goat and 0.2% in cattle in Bangladesh. The prevalence of current study was 1.54% in cattle and 1.20% in goat. It is higher than the earlier studies and it may be due to including all others diseases with rabies in the study, but in current study only registered cases of dog bites in UVH for treatment were included.
Here, the proportionate prevalence of dog bite was 12.5% in cattle, 18.7-25% in goat and 20% in sheep at Upazilla Veterinary Hospital, Anowara. The prevalence of dog bite was higher in goat than cattle and it might be due to the large number of goat populations in that area. Also it might have due to smaller body size of goats. Thus goats are more sufferer of dog bite.
Hind quarter was found most vulnerable body part for dog bite across the body sites which is well supported by (Rumanaet al, 2013) as dog always target the hind quarter.Females and young animals are more prone to dog bite due to smaller body size and less energetic. The results are related to a study (Ahmed et al; 2013)
In this study, dog bite was managed by thorough flushing and washing of biting site for with alkaline soap and water or povidone iodine. Most of the dog bite cases were vaccinated with post exposure rabies vaccine. According to WHO, category 3 bite should immediately be vaccinated with post-rabies vaccine along with rabies immunoglobulin. During the study period
animals were found to be vaccinated with post-rabies vaccine without any rabies
immunoglobulin and it could protect bitten animals from development of rabies. In order to prevent post bite complications antibiotics were used which is supported by Dire et al.(1992) and Presutti(1997).
Economic importance of rabies is related to its occurrence in livestock which are source of food and money to the rural people. In dairy cattle milk production will be decreased which is a major adverse effect. If left uncontrolled, it will cause a great economic loses as sick animal has little or no market value (Tekkiet al., 2014).
To avoid these threats, disease surveillance should be an integral part of government veterinary services. The purpose should be defining animal health status, detect changes in health status, eradication of disease and to enable action-plan for early disease warning and emergency preparedness (Tekkiet al., 2014).
Due to lack of proper knowledge about effective treatment and prevention of dog bite, most of the ownersdid not treat or visit to traditional healer. It is strongly supported byRumanaet al.
(2013). Dog vaccination still remains a cost effective option for rabies control especially since post exposure prophylaxis in livestock is much more expensive and the current economic situations in our country may not guarantee access to complete the full course (Tekkiet al., 2014). Less supply of rabies vaccine in government veterinary hospitals may also be a reason of rabies (Rumanaet al., 2013).
Routine veterinary care and vaccination is an important component of rabies prevention.
Awareness building among people about the proper treatment ofdog bite and post exposure prophylaxis against rabies virus as per the recommendations of WHO might reduce rabies- fatality attributed to dog bite in domestic animals and humans.
Chapter V LIMITATION
The study was conducted on the basis of clinical cases which were brought for treatment
purposes, the sample could not be divided into exposed, unexposed, controlled and uncontrolled groups. But for a clinical report these are essential. There was no opportunity of laboratory diagnosis and there was no much variation in treatment procedure. There was less or no chance to follow up the patient. Besides, the area and duration of the study was short. So, further extensive investigation should study on same topic to overcome the limitations of the current study and the real situation might be revealed.
CONCLUSION
Dog bite is common in our country. All bites as observed in the study were of FAO category type III i.e. multiple transdermal wounds. Among the domestic animals goats are more
vulnerable to dog bite because of smaller sizes and freely grazing behaviors. The prevalence of dog bite is higher in the hindquarter of animals compared with other body parts. Though all dogs are not source of infection, we should treat every dog bite case carefully because we don’t know which animal is carrier of rabies. Non-rabid dog bite can be managed by antiseptic washing, dressing of wounds and giving antibiotic drug. In case of rabid dog bite post exposure rabies vaccine is strongly recommended.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The author is ever grateful and indebted to the immeasurable grace and profound kindness of Almighty “GOD” the soul authority and supreme ruler of universe, who enabled him to complete the work successfully.
The author feels proud in expressing his deepest sense of gratitude, sincere appreciations, indebtedness to respected teacher and supervisor Prof. Dr. Paritosh Kumar Biswas, Professor, Department of Microbiology and Veterinary Public Health, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University for his ingenuous and scholastic supervision, constant inspiration, providing valuable suggestions, necessary corrections to report writing and for affectionate help in
completion of this report.
The author would like to express his deepest sense of respect and affection tothe honorable Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Gautom Buddha Das and Dean Prof. M. A.Halim, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University.
The author express his sincere gratefulness and thanks to Prof. Dr. AKM Saifuddin, Director, External Affairs (CVASU) for his valuable suggestions for completion of this report.
Special thanks to the placement supervisor DR. RumonTalukder, Veterinary Surgeon, Anowara, Chittagong for his valuable advice and co-operation.
The author is ever indebted to his beloved parents for their sacrifices, blessing and inspiration to get him in this position. He is also grateful to all of his teachers, friends and well wishers for their help, encouragement and inspiration during the study period.
The Author
October, 2017
BIOGRAPHY
I am Mohammad Foysal, son of Mr. Md. Abdul Malek and Mrs. Hosne Ara Begum. I passed Secondary School Certificate examination in 2008 from Government Muslim High School, Chittagong followed by Higher Secondary Certificate examination in 2010 from Chittagong Cantonment Public College. Now I am an intern veterinarian under the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University.
In the future I would like to work as a veterinary practitioner and do research on clinical animal diseases in Bangladesh.
