Rabies in a two-year-old post-partum doe

Abstract

Rabies is a viral disease that is fatal to infected animals. A 2-year-old post-partum doe was presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, with complaints of exhibiting strange behaviours of biting and attacking anyone approaching it. History revealed the doe kidded a set of triplets a week before the presentation. Clinical evaluation revealed aggression, attempting to bite and bite itself, and self-mutilation, among others. The doe was humanly sacrificed and the brain sample was sent to the Rabies Laboratory of the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria. Rabies was confirmed using a direct fluorescent antibody test (FAT). The implication of the case is discussed in the article.