India has a large dog population that includes pampered pedigreed pets, crossbreeds, strays adopted by people and the many that survive on village, town and city roads.

People may get bitten by pampered house pets or strays. These bites may be unprovoked. Sometimes, packs of stray dogs attack morning walkers. Children are particularly vulnerable to attacks and bites from pets and strays.

Attempts by the government to control the stray dog population with sterilisation and relocation have been futile.

Pet dogs need to be trained, immunised and well-maintained as they are in close contact with their human owners. Dogs can carry a wide range of bacterial, viral and fungal infections, which they can transmit to humans. They can spread leptospirosis, salmonella and ringworm fungus. They can have ticks that crawl onto humans and even enter the ears. All these need to be promptly treated in dogs.

Infected humans can be diagnosed and successfully treated with antibiotics and antifungal agents. The most dangerous of these infections, rabies, is an untreatable viral infection caused by the rabies virus. It has no treatment and is fatal.

The rabies virus can spread from dogs to humans through a bite or if the infected dog licks an open wound or exposed mucosa. The incubation period for rabies can vary from four days to several years. There is no specific diagnostic test and no treatment.

People who keep dogs should behave responsibly. Dogs need to be vaccinated and have boosters at the correct time, even if they never leave the house. These vaccines are free in veterinary hospitals. Four doses are needed after the age of 90 days. Incompletely immunised dogs can also carry rabies.

Dogs with rabies may not be symptomatic. They may not show typical aggressive behaviour, attacking everyone. Some dogs may be carriers, they can transmit rabies to their puppies and owners while remaining asymptomatic. If those asymptomatic dogs bite unsuspecting humans, they can cause rabies.

People who keep pets must immunise themselves and their families against rabies with pre-exposure prophylaxis. This is three or four doses of rabies vaccine, depending on the schedule given on the card. If they are then bitten, they only need a booster shot.

Even though your pet is like your baby and very amiable, all dogs, even the well-trained ones, can revert to wild behaviour. They can be unpredictable outside the home setting. Dogs that are taken outside for a walk should be leashed and muzzled. Dogs can also escape from the house or the compound and attack bystanders and others. Male dogs may need to be neutered to reduce ferocious behaviour. Dogs kept tied up can become aggressive towards family members. They can also attack the owner if he or she goes near their food or tries to take it away from them.

Immediately clean the wound with soap and water if you have been bitten. Then, apply an antibiotic ointment. Try to keep the wound open. Proceed to a physician to receive appropriate doses of anti- rabies vaccine. Antibiotics may be required for an infected wound. Complete the vaccination and antibiotics course even if you are asymptomatic.

Other pet mammals, like cats, can also transmit rabies if they scratch and bite. Since cats usually wander free and are not confined to the house, they can acquire the infection from stray cats. This is a very real, unrecognised danger. Cats also need to be immunised.

Pets are good for children. They teach them responsibility. Pets also help lonely and older people by preventing depression. Dogs also provide protection against thieves.

If you plan to keep a dog, whatever the breed, take it to the veterinary hospital and make sure the deworming and immunisation schedules are completed so that you and your family remain healthy and safe.

The writer has a family practice at Vellore and is the author of Staying Healthy in Modern India. If you have any questions on health issues please write to yourhealthgm@yahoo.co.in