A veterinary doctor, Dr Sola Ogunleye, has advised dog owners to prioritise regular vaccination and responsible pet management to prevent rabies and protect their families.
Ogunleye gave the advice in an interview with reporters on Tuesday in Oye-Ekiti, describing rabies as a deadly but preventable viral disease.
The veterinary doctor said rabies affects the nervous system of humans and animals, adding that it is mainly transmitted through bites or scratches from infected animals.
He said rabies could cause serious complications, including fever, abnormal behaviour, difficulty swallowing, paralysis and eventually death if symptoms appear in infected individuals.
Ogunleye, however, said the disease was preventable through proper vaccination of dogs and prompt medical attention following exposure to suspected infected animals.
He advised dog owners to ensure that their pets receive anti-rabies vaccines from qualified veterinary professionals, while vaccination records are properly maintained for effective monitoring.
He also urged owners to keep their dogs under control, prevent them from roaming freely and avoid allowing children to play unsupervised with unfamiliar or aggressive animals.
“Pet owners must take rabies prevention seriously by vaccinating their dogs regularly and reporting any unusual behaviour in their animals to veterinary authorities.
“Dogs should not be allowed to roam freely, while children must be taught how to interact safely with pets,” he said.
Ogunleye further advised residents bitten or scratched by dogs or other suspected rabid animals to immediately wash the affected area with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes.
He urged victims to seek medical attention without delay, emphasising that traditional remedies should not replace professional treatment following possible exposure to rabies.
The veterinary doctor called for increased public awareness and stronger collaboration between veterinary and health authorities to reduce rabies transmission and improve prevention efforts across communities.
