Most of rabies deaths occur among those who delayed, did not receive, or complete rabies PEP. Important observation to put on record is that the dog bite above the neck region in buffaloes, even after giving the post exposure vaccination, turned to be fatal. The post exposure prophylaxis in exposed animals, is generally not practised in the treatment of large ruminants or buffaloes. Being, economically not viable, the dose of immune sera as per body weight recommended. Use of antisera at least at the local site of dog bite injury immediately after dog bite reduces the fatality to a great extent.
The detailed study on antibody titres in post bite cases of rabies in relation to the present post bite vaccination schedule in buffaloes and the efficacy especially in bites above the neck region, where the incubation period is very short ranging from 15 days to 20 days.
The occurrence of clinical signs was seen in buffaloes undergoing the post bite vaccination. Fatality rate recorded was 100 per cent in case of buffaloes with site of dog bite above the neck especially at the muzzle and base of the neck, despite of having treated with post bite anti-rabies vaccine alone, with out use of rabies antisera as a passive way of treating successfully in such cases. Rabies post bite vaccination is not protective, if the site of dog bite is above the neck region i.e., muzzle, base of horn, ear, dorso-lateral aspect of muzzle in buffaloes.
Fatality can be prevented by administering Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) .
Many cases of dog bite site above the neck region in buffaloes have been observed in rural areas, not reported.