Understanding The Signs Of Rabies In Dogs To Keep Your Pet Safe 2024
Symptoms and signs of rabies in dogs
Rabies is a deadly virus that can infect all mammals, and the most asked question by dog owners is how can I protect my pets and what are the signs of rabies in dogs. This is what we will discuss in this blog.
Why is rabies a serious disease?
Rabies is an incurable viral disease, it can infect dogs, cats, humans and all mammals.
There are many reasons why rabies is a disaster, these reasons include:
- Rabies virus attacks the brain and spinal cord.
- Rabies must cough early to be able to treat and prevent it, because once the symptoms of the rabies appear it becomes fatal.
- There is no way to test for rabies in an alive animal, the only available test demands the brain of the infected animal, and so on a dead animal.
This is why you should, as the pet owner, monitor your dog to see if any signs of rabies in dogs appear on your dog.
How do dogs get rabies?
The common route of infection of the rabies virus is by biting or licking an open wound, because rabies lives in saliva so, when an infected animal bites your dog, rabies passes its saliva to the bite wound.
Because the bite breaks the skin, rabies can enter the bloodstream and pass to its target place in the brain and spinal cord and take its incubation period to start showing its signs on the sick dog.
The incubation period of rabies
The incubation period is known as the duration between the dog’s exposure to the rabies and the onset of signs and symptoms of the disease.
In most cases, the dog will exhibit signs of illness within 2 weeks of exposure, but symptoms of rabies may appear later, even may take months after exposure.
And you must pay attention that the virus can spread to other pets and humans up to 10 days before symptoms appear in the rabid animal.
Symptoms and signs of rabies in dogs
Most signs of rabies in dogs are related to the nervous system disturbance.
And the most reliable indicators to the infection are severe and sudden changes in the dog behavior with unexplained paralysis that gets worse over time.
Symptoms and signs of rabies in dogs include:
- Behavioral changes
It considers very characteristic signs of rabies in dogs, as rabid dog become unusually aggressive or exhibit uncharacteristic Scariness.
It also may become irritable, restless, or excessively excitable.
- Excessive foaming and drooling at the mouth
Rabies affects the salivary glands, causing dogs to excessively drool, and this leads to the formation of foam around the dog’s mouth, and that is the classic symptom of rabies disease.
- Difficulty swallowing
As the rabies disease progresses, and because of the paralysis of jaw and throat muscles, rabid dog may suffer from difficulty swallowing, and that of course results in a change in the dog’s eating habits, as it refuses food or water.
- Muscle paralysis and weakness
Because rabies affects the nervous system, resulting in muscle weakness and paralysis, so infected dog may show difficulties in walking, drag or stumble on its hind legs, or exhibit a wobbly gait.
- Changes in vocalization
A rabid dog may experience changes in its vocalization patterns, as it may howl, bark, or whimper differently than usual.
- Increase the sensitivity to sound and light
The infected dog becomes hypersensitive to sounds and lights, so it may scare away from bright lights or loud noises and always seek out dark and quiet areas.
It is crucial for the safety of both you and your dog to recognize the signs of rabies in dogs, and at any time If you suspect that your dog or other pet animal may have rabies, it is very important to contact a veterinarian immediately.
And you should remember that early detection and prevention of rabies are key in combating it.
The best way to protect your pet and prevent the spread of the virus is by vaccinating it against rabies.
Rabies Vaccine for dogs
The vaccine for rabies is an inactive or altered version of the rabies virus, but that version can invoke the immune response in your dog, and create antibodies that are able to fight the disease.
Over time the dog’s immune response to the vaccine breaks down, and that is why your dog needs multiple doses from the vaccine throughout its life to protect them from the disease.
Vets always advise owners that their dogs and cats need to receive booster doses every year or every three years, depending on the type of the vaccine.
In the case of dogs, the first dose of the rabies vaccine the Puppies must be around 12 to 16 weeks old, this is what is called the primary dose.
The second dose of the vaccine is administered to the pet within one year of the primary vaccination, and the subsequent doses, which are known as booster doses, are given every year or every three years, depending on the type of vaccine.
Although the rabies vaccine is highly effective in preventing rabies, However, as is the case with all vaccines, there is always a small risk of infection even after vaccination, and that is why even vaccinated dogs are revaccinated after they are bitten or attacked by another pet or wild animal.
how long does the rabies vaccine last
According to the rabies vaccine type, there are differences in the immunity duration, as some rabies vaccines are licensed for one year, and others types are labeled for three years.
But in some countries that require annual vaccinations regardless of labeling and that is what your vet will inform you about your state’s laws and keep your dog on the appropriate vaccination schedule.
Finally, Whether your dog needs only a rabies vaccine every year or three years, you should as a pet owner schedule annual wellness visits for your dog.
Because regular wellness exams are the most important protection measure that you can provide for your dog.
And because the signs of rabies in dogs don’t always appear in the early infection, annual or biannual exams are vital for keeping your dog in optimal health.
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