Rabies in dogs: symptoms and treatment

One of the most terrifying diseases feared by pet owners is rabies in dogs. Dogs can contract the virus while out for a walk from stray dogs that have had contact with wild animals (mice, hedgehogs, foxes, etc.). The virus is often transmitted through a bite, but sometimes just saliva on an open wound is enough. This is enough to initiate the development of such a dangerous disease as rabies.

The incubation period of rabies

The disease is caused by a neurotropic virus that attacks the brain. It's virtually impossible to detect the virus in your pet immediately after contact with an infected animal, as the incubation period can last up to three months. A saliva test can accurately determine whether your dog is infected. However, this is only possible a few days before the first symptoms appear. signs of rabiesThis is why owners must carefully protect their pets from contact with all wild animals, and stray dogs in particular.

Rabies in dogs: symptoms

The disease affects dogs' nervous systems, causing respiratory paralysis, limb paralysis, increased excitability, and hydrophobia. Unfortunately, the disease is fatal. Therefore, it's important to be aware of the symptoms of rabies in dogs.

In the early stages of the disease (lasting 2 to 10 days), you may notice changes in your pet's behavior. Typically, your dog will experience:

1. Irritability.
2. Malaise.
3. Chills.
4. Muscle pain.
5. Refusal to eat.
6. Sudden weight loss.
7. Anxiety.
8. Cough.
9. Photophobia.
10. Diarrhea or vomiting.
11. Fever.

Forms of rabies

The disease is usually divided into several forms: silent, violent, abortive, atypical and relapsing forms of rabies.

Quiet form

The late stage of mild rabies is called the silent stage. It lasts from 3 to 7 days. This type of rabies is considered an atypical development. In this case, the dog eats normally and behaves relatively calmly. Signs of the disease include increased salivation, paralysis of the limbs and pharynx (the dog cannot even swallow water), the appearance of a strange barking sound, and the dog's desire to eat something inedible.

Violent form

This stage of the disease lasts from 5 to 13 days. It is this stage that people most often use to identify rabies in dogs. In fact, the furious stage is further subdivided into three:

1. Prodromal stage. This lasts no more than three days. During this time, the animal may hide in secluded places and not respond to its owner's calls, or, conversely, demand constant affection and attention. In this case, the dog owner may notice salivation and difficulty swallowing. The danger of this stage is that the largest amount of virus is released during this time, increasing the risk of human infection.
2. Manic stage. The duration is the same. However, apathy is replaced by aggression. During this stage, the animal may attack anyone, even its owner. The dog also vents its anger on objects around it. During the manic stage, the animal's grasping movements are extremely forceful, which can even lead to jaw fractures. If an infected dog breaks free from its leash, it can bite countless people and animals in its path. Even the owner will be unable to stop the enraged dog. One of the clear signs of this stage is the appearance of increased salivation (foaming).
3. Paralytic stage. This stage lasts up to 7 days. During this period, the dog experiences severe pain, has severe breathing difficulties, has virtually no swallowing movements, and develops limb paralysis. Ultimately, the animal falls into a coma and dies within a few days.

Abortive form

In this case, the dog recovers from rabies. This form of the disease is extremely rare. Most scientists are still unable to determine the exact cause of this, and research in this area is ongoing.

Atypical form

The insidiousness of this form is that the first signs of rabies can be “masked” by symptoms of gastroenteritis.

The animal begins vomiting and has bloody diarrhea, and the owners are simply unaware of their pet's dangerous disease. At this point, the dog can easily infect both humans and other animals.

Reflexive form

It is characterized by the animal’s recovery, which after a few days (usually two weeks) is again replaced by all the main symptoms of the disease.

Diagnosis of rabies

As mentioned above, rabies may not manifest itself for quite a long time. Furthermore, the disease's symptoms closely resemble those of other serious illnesses. Therefore, only a veterinarian can detect the virus and differentiate rabies from Aujeszky's disease, encephalitis, or the nervous form of distemper.

1. Pseudorabies, or Aujeszky's disease. The dog develops intense itching, scratching itself until it bleeds. It doesn't attack people, but instead takes out its aggression on objects around it. This disease is fatal within three days.
2. Encephalitis. Paralysis of the limbs develops, the dog becomes apathetic, shakes violently, and develops a fever. If the pet is taken to the vet promptly, it can be saved.
3. PlagueIt also manifests itself as hind limb paralysis, but unlike rabies, it never paralyzes the lower jaw. Recovery is possible with prompt treatment.

Outcome of the disease

Treating rabies in dogs remains a pipe dream for many pet owners. Unfortunately, this disease is incurable. However, to prevent more serious consequences, every dog ​​owner must take a responsible approach to the problem and seek professional help at the first sign of rabies. Typically, the animal is quarantined for ten days. During this time, a specialist can reliably confirm the presence or absence of rabies by conducting the necessary tests and monitoring the progression of the disease.

Rabies prevention

The transmission of rabies in dogs has been discussed above. Therefore, every pet is at risk, and only preventative measures can reduce this risk. These include annual vaccinations.

It's worth noting that the first vaccination won't provide lasting immunity. A dog can only be considered reliably protected against rabies after the third vaccination. Therefore, it's important to monitor your pet very closely for the first three years and keep it away from other animals.

Without a rabies vaccine, your dog will not only be ineligible to participate in dog shows, but you won't be allowed to travel on trains or planes. Taking an unvaccinated animal hunting is also prohibited.

First aid for a pet

Quite often, dog owners panic or, conversely, ignore a confrontation between their pet and another animal, be it a dog, a cat, etc. In fact, leaving this situation unattended is not a good idea, nor is panicking necessary.

If your dog has been bitten by a stray dog ​​or attacked by a stray cat, the best thing to do is to:

• take the dog home;
• put a muzzle on her;
• examine your pet while wearing rubber gloves.

If you discover a wound or even a small scratch, wash it with soapy water. To make it easier, you can trim some of the fur around the wound and apply the soapy solution using a syringe under pressure. Regular laundry soap is best for this purpose.

After the wound has been treated, it's time to consult a specialist. If possible, a veterinarian can be called to your home. After the initial examination, the animal will be given a rabies vaccine, with a booster dose administered two weeks later. The animal should be closely observed for 10 days. This is usually when symptoms characteristic of rabies develop.

It's worth noting that the time it takes for signs of the disease to appear depends directly on the number of wounds. If it's a single scratch or bite, symptoms will be visible after at least 7 days. If the dog has multiple wounds, signs of rabies will likely appear within 2-3 days.

Bite of a rabid dog

You've probably heard many times that after a dog bite, you should immediately go to the doctor and get 40 injections. But many people don't know how dangerous this disease is for humans. If you've been bitten by a dog (or fox, hedgehog, mouse, or stray cat), you must seek medical attention immediately, as delay could cost you your life.

First, clean the wound with soap and water. Then apply hydrogen peroxide and bandage it. After administering first aid, don't be afraid to go to the emergency room. They don't give as many shots today as they did decades ago, and you'll only receive seven shots in the shoulder. If you get them before signs of rabies appear, the chance of a full recovery is 100%.

To understand the seriousness of the problem, it's worth describing separately what happens to a person after being bitten by a rabid dog and not seeking medical attention.

1. From 24 hours to 3 days, symptoms such as pain at the site of the bite, stabilization of temperature at 37-37.3 degrees, the appearance of headache and weakness, vomiting and diarrheaLoss of appetite, poor sleep, and nightmares occur. If the bite is on the face, the person may begin to experience hallucinations.
2. Over the next three days, nervous system arousal increases, hydrophobia develops, breathing becomes difficult, facial twitches appear, the person is constantly afraid, stares at a fixed point, sweats profusely, and salivates. During this period, the patient becomes irritable and extremely nervous. Their aggression can extend beyond people and objects. A person infected with rabies may bite themselves, tear things, and pull out their hair. And all this is simply because, at this time, the patient sees certain frightening images or hears voices.
3. After a short time, paralysis sets in. This period lasts no more than a day, after which the person dies in severe agony.

To avoid putting yourself and others at risk, it's important to be responsible about vaccinating your pets. A timely rabies vaccination is essential to a happy life for you and your pet.

You can also ask our website's staff veterinarian a question, who will answer them as quickly as possible in the comments box below.

Read also:

• When and what vaccinations should puppies receive?
• Distemper in dogs
• Parvovirus enteritis in dogs