“Costs have come down now, with proven efficacy of intradermal administration of tissue culture vaccine where one fifth of the intramuscular dose is used,” he said. “Cost is no more a consideration,” he added. But the drugs controller of India has yet to give permission for intradermal administration.
“The situation will hardly change till the animal birth control rules are struck off,” said Ajay Bahl, a lawyer who has studied the problem in detail.
The WHO estimates that worldwide 40 000 to 70 000 people die from rabies every year. “Nearly 30 000 of these deaths occur in India,” said Derek Lobo of the WHOs communicable diseases department in New Delhi. The National Institute of Communicable Diseases says that almost 96% of rabies cases in India are caused by stray dogs, the remainder being caused by pet dogs, cats, monkeys, mongooses, and jackals. Nearly 2.2 million people a year in India are bitten by animals, only 1.4 million of whom seek treatment.
Legal action by animal rights activists to thwart attempts to control the stray dog population has been led by the recently ousted minister Maneka Gandhi, who also instigated a ban on animal experimentation in scientific institutions, alleging ill treatment.
When a night guard was bitten by a suspected rabid dog some months back in west Delhi, he had to pay 1300 rupees (£17; $27; €27)—equivalent to a months wages—for anti-rabies shots. He killed the dog the next morning, pelting it with stones and bricks.
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External parasites (ticks, fleas and mange)
There are many approved products available to effectively prevent and treat external parasites on dogs. Consult your veterinarian about the best product for your dog.
Cheyletiella mites cause “walking dandruff” on dogs (itching and flaky skin on the dogs trunk). They are spread from dog to dog by direct contact, and may require more aggressive treatment than fleas.