Pre-Lab Diagnostic Clinic

16/10/2025

14/10/2025

Before proper vaccines became widely available, Filipinos resorted to all sorts of traditional remedies and local beliefs after being bitten by an asong ulol—a rabid dog. In the absence of accessible medical treatment, people turned to albularyos (folk healers), herbal concoctions, prayers, and even extreme rituals in the hope of warding off the deadly effects of rabies. Some would cauterize the wound with hot metal, drink strange brews, or avoid water entirely, fearing the symptoms of hydrophobia. Others believed that simply washing the wound or applying certain leaves would be enough.
These desperate measures were rooted in fear and limited understanding of the disease. But rabies is nearly 100% fatal once symptoms appear—and none of these traditional practices could stop it. The only proven method of preventing death from rabies is prompt administration of a post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) vaccine, ideally within hours after the bite.
Sadly, many lives were lost due to misinformation, poverty, and lack of access to proper healthcare. Today, thanks to modern medicine and awareness campaigns, more people know that immediate vaccination after a bite is critical. But the legacy of these old beliefs still lingers in some areas, making continued education and vaccine access all the more important.
For more information about animal bite and rabies vaccination, contact us.

09/10/2025

In the past, especially up until the 1980s, rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) involved a regimen using the nerve tissue-derived vaccine. These vaccines were less purified and caused more side effects.
The regimen required:
Multiple injections (often 14 to 21) over several days.
Given deep into the abdominal wall (subcutaneously).
Frequently associated with pain, local reactions, and sometimes serious adverse effects, including neurological complications.
This method, although life-saving, was cumbersome, painful, and had a higher risk of complications.
Modern Practice: Deltoid (Arm) Injection
Today's rabies vaccines, such as the purified chick embryo cell vaccine (PCECV), are highly purified, safer, and more effective. They are administered intramuscularly or intradermaly into the deltoids in adults.
Why the Arm is Better:
Improved Patient Comfort:
The deltoid site is less painful than abdominal injections.
Fewer injections are required—usually a 3- or 5-dose series, compared to up to 21 doses historically.
Better Immune Response:
The deltoid muscle has good blood supply, which helps the vaccine generate a stronger immune response.
Abdominal fat can slow vaccine absorption and reduce effectiveness.
Reduced Side Effects:
Modern vaccines have fewer allergic and neurological complications.
No need for older nerve tissue vaccines, which carried higher risks.
Simplified Administration:
Easier for healthcare professionals to administer accurately in the deltoid.
Improves compliance due to reduced fear and discomfort.

06/10/2025

Don’t Skip Rabies Vaccination – Even If the Dog Looks Fine.

Many people think, “Just observe the dog for 10 days. If it's okay, no need for the vaccine.” This is dangerous and can be fatal.

What You Should Do After a Bite:
>Wash the wound immediately with soap and water.
>Go to a health center or to Animal Bite Center - Polyclinic Davao right away.
>Start rabies vaccination (PEP) as soon as possible.

Why Dog Observation Isn’t Enough:
>A rabid dog usually dies or shows symptoms within 10 days.
>But if you wait and the dog dies, disappears, or shows symptoms, and you didn’t get vaccinated, it may be too late — and rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms begin.

Bottom Line:
Observing the dog helps, but it’s not a substitute for treatment. Always start the vaccine immediately after a bite. And of course, always seek medical attention. Call us.

19/09/2025

Foaming at the mouth sign in rabies is one of the most dramatic and feared symptoms, but it’s often misunderstood. But how does this happen?
>Paralysis of swallowing muscles-Rabies virus specifically attacks the nervous system, including the cranial nerves that control swallowing and throat movement. When these muscles become paralyzed, the patient can’t swallow saliva normally.
>Excess saliva production-Rabies also stimulates salivary glands to produce more saliva than usual. The virus wants to be in saliva, because that’s how it spreads through bites.
>Hydrophobia (fear of water)-When rabies patients try to drink, the throat muscles spasm painfully. This makes them avoid drinking fluids, which adds to the saliva buildup.
>Result: frothy foam-Since saliva can’t be swallowed, it dribbles out continuously. Combined with air movement from breathing or spasms, this gives the classic “foamy mouth” look.
For more rabies information, animal bite and rabies vaccination concerns, send us a message.

10/09/2025

BITTEN? SCRATCHED?
Don’t google “garlic cure” or “nearest TANDOK” or even ask your kapitbahay. It is because Rabies is no joke. Once symptoms show, rabies has a 100% mortality rate. But here with us, your chances of staying 100% alive are pretty great.
Since 2021, Animal Bite Center - Polyclinic has been at the frontline of rabies prevention in the city:
>Experts on duty (Family Medicine / Internal Medicine)
>Rabies defense since day one
>Less drama, more protection
So don’t wait, don’t risk it. Come to the experts.

04/09/2025

It's vital to understand that rabies vaccination is not just a single injection, but a carefully scheduled series of doses that must be completed in full to provide effective protection. Each dose in the series plays a critical role in building the body’s immune response against the rabies virus. Skipping any of these doses can result in incomplete immunity, leaving the individual vulnerable to the disease. Since rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, missing even one injection can mean the difference between life and death. Therefore, strict adherence to the entire vaccination schedule is absolutely essential to ensure full protection and prevent a tragic outcome.

01/09/2025

Ber months are here! For Filipinos, this is the season we love most—Christmas lights, parols, carols, reunions, and endless holiday cheer starting as early as September! But while we enjoy the world’s longest Christmas celebration, let’s also stay safe—always be mindful of rabies and protect our families while spreading the joy.

27/08/2025

🐍 Snake Bite ≠ Rabies 🐍
There’s a common misconception that if a snake bites you, you need an anti-rabies shot. Nope! Snakes don’t carry rabies—only warm-blooded animals like dogs, cats, and monkeys can.
What you do need to worry about is the venom, not rabies.

So here are some tips:
>Stay calm.
>Keep the bitten limb still and lower than the heart.
>Rush to the nearest hospital for anti-venom treatment.

So remember: Snakes hiss, not rabies!😝 And as usual, consult your doctor. For more animal bites facts or rabies vaccination concerns, send us a message.

26/08/2025

School-age children are among the most at-risk groups for dog bites, and several factors contribute to this:
>Natural curiosity & playfulness – Children often approach dogs without recognizing warning signs of aggression or fear.
>Small size & height – Being closer to a dog’s face makes them more likely to be bitten on the head, face, or neck.
>Unpredictable behavior – Running, shouting, or sudden movements can trigger a dog’s defensive or predatory instincts.
>Limited awareness – Kids may not know how to properly interact with or respect a dog’s boundaries.
>Over-familiarity – Many bites occur from family pets or dogs known to the child, since children may hug, pull, or disturb them during rest or feeding.

Common bite scenarios in school-age children:
>Approaching a dog while it’s eating, sleeping, or caring for puppies
>Trying to hug, kiss, or climb on the dog
>Running or cycling past a dog, triggering chase behavior
>Attempting to take away a toy or food from the dog

Prevention tips for school-age children:
>Ask permission before touching any dog.
Avoid disturbing a dog that’s eating, sleeping, or with puppies.
>Stay still (“like a tree”) if a strange dog approaches.
>No teasing, chasing, or rough play.
>Always be supervised by an adult when with dogs.

That’s why it’s important to teach them:
🐾 “Always ask before you pet.”
And for more animal bites and rabies vaccination concerns, please send us a message.

Animal Bite Center - Polyclinic Davao.

15/08/2025

Happy Kadayawan! Let’s celebrate the bountiful harvest, rich culture, and the vibrant spirit of Davao. Madayaw, Dabaw!

For animal bite and rabies concerns, contact us.

13/08/2025

Rat bites can be dangerous for bacterial infections but are not considered a rabies risk. The correct approach is to wash the wound thoroughly, have a tetanus shot, and watch for signs of bacterial infection, but rabies vaccination is not routinely indicated. It is always best to seek medical consultation.

Here are some facts:
Rabies virus biology – Rabies is primarily transmitted by the saliva of infected animals through bites. In most parts of the world, especially in the Philippines, the animals that can carry and transmit rabies to humans are dogs, cats, and certain wild mammals like bats.

Rodent resistance – Rats and mice are almost never found rabid because:
They usually die quickly if attacked by a rabid predator before they can transmit the virus.
Rabies surveillance studies consistently show zero or extremely rare rabies cases in small rodents worldwide.

Health guidelines – The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Philippines’ Department of Health (DOH) state that rat bites do not require anti-rabies vaccination.
However, tetanus prophylaxis and wound care are important.
Medical evaluation is still needed to prevent other infections, as rat bites can transmit bacteria (e.g., Leptospira causing leptospirosis, Streptobacillus moniliformis causing rat-bite fever).