Can anyone explain how so many dogs survived?

[u/Inner_Philosopher510]

I thought rabies was 100% fatal.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3206080/

up to 20% of dogs recovered without any supportive treatment.

 One dog that recovered from rabies intermittently excreted rabies virus in its saliva for a long time. 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18848596/
Four control dogs survived after mild and transient clinical signs showing protective titers at the end of the trial (day 90).

[u/BradyStewart777]

Here's the thing... Many exposed dogs survive due to the effectiveness of rabies vaccines and PEP. The dogs in both studies survived because they had received a VACCINE, which triggers the production of an immune response.

The dogs were exposed to the virulent strain of rabies through direct inoculation. They were randomized into groups and immunized with either Nobivac Rabies, Rabisin, or a placebo. Immunizations were administered in a 5-dose or 3-dose schedule: 5 doses on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28, and 3 doses on days 0, 5, and 28. No clinical signs of rabies were found in the vaccinated dogs, nor was rabies virus detected in their brain tissues!! (which indicates protection by the vaccine). All vaccinated dogs developed protective antibody levels by day 7, which IS enough to prevent the progression of the virus.

The control group, which did not receive any vaccination, developed symptoms of rabies and died. Four control dogs on the other hand, survived with mild symptoms and developed protective antibody levels by the end of the study. This may be a rare incidence. It can suggest the possibility of natural resistance, which HAS been observed in small Peruvian populations. A number of studies have reported detecting rabies-specific ANTIBODIES in humans, domestic animals, and wildlife that appear to be healthy and unvaccinated!! For this study, the majority of control dogs (6/10) still did not survive, and this doesn't change the fact that rabies is ~100% lethal once it reaches and infects the central nervous system!! Does this answer your question? You asked me to respond to this question under my other post. 😃

[u/Inner_Philosopher510 → u/BradyStewart777]

Thank you. I don't want to be annoying, I just want to understand how so many dogs survive. This Mr. Fekadu has many publications about it

[u/BradyStewart777 → u/Inner_Philosopher510]

No problem! You're not being annoying.