Rescuing stray dogs, though a compassionate act, often brings unforeseen health risks and challenges for caregivers. At one point, Thao Linh dedicated a room in her apartment to house 5 dogs she found on the street. After some time, Linh received continuous complaints from neighbors about odors, barking, and dog fights. Despite efforts to mitigate these issues through regular cleaning, air fresheners, air purifiers, and house-training the dogs, she still received warnings from the building management. Linh was also bitten by dogs on her hands and legs twice while feeding them, necessitating vaccinations and treatment. Subsequently, due to pressure from her family and living situation, she had to find new homes for her pack of dogs. Currently, Linh only keeps one dog that had strayed into her parents' home in the countryside and has not yet been claimed.

The dog Phuong Linh adopted after it strayed into her parents' garden. *Photo: NVCC*

Similarly, Le Nguyen Phuong Vy, 23, residing in TP HCM, also adopted abandoned dogs out of compassion for their street wandering. Her first dog was gentle and easy to care for. However, after adopting another dog that its previous owner had abandoned due to destructive behavior, Vy began encountering numerous problems. The dog frequently chewed on furniture, dug, and relieved itself indiscriminately, causing disturbances for neighbors. During one caregiving instance, Vy was bitten on the hand, drawing blood, and required rabies antiserum, rabies vaccine, and tetanus vaccine.

Medical professionals emphasize that while caring for abandoned animals is humane, the inherent nature of dogs, especially strays, poses risks. According to Doctor of First-Degree Specialization Danh Thi My Hong, Medical Manager at the VNVC Vaccination System, dogs are warm-blooded mammals with predatory instincts, capable of causing injuries to owners and those nearby. Stray or abandoned dogs also risk carrying infectious diseases, with rabies being the most serious concern. When encountering lost animals, individuals without pet care experience should contact professional rescue organizations.

Rabies stands as a critical concern, with a nearly 100% fatality rate once symptoms manifest. The incubation period can range from a few days to several months, or even longer, depending on the bite's location and severity. When the virus enters the central nervous system, patients may experience throat spasms, hydrophobia (fear of water), aerophobia (fear of drafts), agitation, hallucinations, and ultimately death.

Immediate and proper wound care is crucial after any potential exposure to rabies. Therefore, if bitten, scratched, or licked on an open wound, individuals should thoroughly wash the wound for 15 minutes under running water and soap. Afterward, disinfect it with 45-70% alcohol or iodine alcohol to minimize the amount of rabies virus at the bite site, and get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Phuong Vy receives rabies and tetanus vaccines after a dog bite on 9/3, at VNVC Kha Van Can Vaccination Center. *Photo: Dieu Thuan*

Vaccination remains the primary and most effective method for rabies prevention. Vietnam currently uses two types of rabies vaccines, from India and France, which can be administered pre-exposure and post-exposure. For post-exposure vaccination, the regimen consists of 5 doses within one month (days 0, 3, 7, 14, 28, intramuscularly) or 8 doses (days 0, 3, 7, 28, intradermally). If the animal shows signs of rabies, cannot be monitored, or the wound is near the central nervous system (such as the head, face, neck, or extremities), rabies antiserum is required. For pre-exposure vaccination, the schedule includes three doses on days 0, 3, 21, or 28, administered intramuscularly and intradermally. If a full pre-exposure and post-exposure regimen has been completed, subsequent bites or scratches only require two vaccine doses, without the need for antiserum.

Dieu Thuan