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TIPS IN HANDLING DOG BITE CASES AND
TRANSPORTING DOG HEAD SAMPLE

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.: What To Do If Bitten By A Dog?

FIRST AID: Wash the wound with soap and running water for 10 minutes. After washing, go to the nearest health center or physician for consultation.

.: What To Do With The Dog?

If the dog is your pet and is in healthy condition, observe the dog for 14 days. Tie or confince the dog but continue to give food and water. Any sign of illness should be reported to the local veterinarian.

If the dog died within the 14-day observation period, submit the head sample to the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory of the Department of Agriculture at Tumaga, Zamboanga City.

If the dog is stray or has no owner, the dog can be killed immediately but the head (brain) of the animal should not be destroyed.

Contact a veterinarian nearest you (see related info).

.: How to Prepare the Head for Examination

Cut the head in the neck region of the animal to be examined so as not to damage the skull. The Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory is not fully equipped to handle the whole carcass, therefore, only the head is accepted.

Wear gloves and protective clothing as well as eye and face protection when removing the head.

Gloves should be cleaned and disinfected or discarded properly after use.

Place the head in a double plastic bag then secure by twisting and knotting.

If the head cannot be delivered immediately, refrigerate, but do not freeze. Frozen specimens cannot be tested until they thaw out, which may cause delay in reporting.

Specimens for shipment, place the plastic bag containing the head into a styrobox, then fill the box with wet ice. Seal the shipment. Label properly with “RABIES SUSPECT SPECIMEN”.

The Package should be shipped prepaid to the laboratory. Use the method of shipment that will assure prompt service and utmost speed.

Decaying carcasses (autolysed) are not accepted in the laboratory.

.: Where to Bring/Submit the Head for Examination?

Department of Agriculture- Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RADDL), Veterans Avenue Extension, Tumaga, Zamboanga City. Tel no. (062) 992-4165

Rabies testing is available from Mondays thru Fridays. During Saturdays and Holidays the office guards will only receive the samples submitted.

.: Where to Ask Information About Rabies?

Office of the City Veterinarian, Pettit Barracks, Zamboanga City Tel. no. (062) 991-0862/991-8498

Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, Sanito Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay

Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, Zamboanga del Norte Tel. no. (065)212-7063

Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, Zamboanga del Sur Tel. no. (062)214-2780

Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Veterans Ave. Ext. Tumaga, Zamboanga City Tel. no. (062)992-4165

Click this link for related info about rabies.

Source: Office of the City Veterinarian, Zamboanga City

• Office of the City Veterinarian, Pettit Barracks, Zamboanga City
  Tel. no. (062) 991-0862/991-8498
  
  
• Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, Sanito Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay
  
  
• Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, Zamboanga del Norte
  Tel. no. (065) 212-7063
  
  
• Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, Zamboanga del Sur
  Tel. no. (062)214-2780
  
  
• Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Veterans Ave. Ext. Tumaga, Zamboanga City
  Tel. no. (062)992-4165