A common disease most dogs face is rabies. Rabies is a highly dangerous disease that affects the central nervous system of dogs. While dogs are not the only victims of this disease, they are undoubtedly one of the most common victims. 

The virus targets the brain and spinal cord, damaging the brain and leading to inflammation. When left untreated, the outcome is death. 

How Do Dogs Have Rabies?

The rabies virus is transmitted primarily through the saliva. This happens when the saliva of an infected animal, which can be wild animals or household pets such as dogs cat cats. Another possible mode of transmission is through open wounds. If a dog’s open wounds gets exposed to infected saliva, the rabies virus can easily enter the nervous system and make its way to the brain.

Once the rabies virus gets in the system, it takes a few weeks to incubate before dealing some serious damage to your dog’s brain and central nervous system. Because detection is difficult, it’s important to enlist the help of preventive techniques such as vaccinations, to help keep your dog safe.

How to Know if a Dog has Rabies?

While the signs and symptoms of rabies in dogs can vary, they generally progress through different stages as the virus spreads. Early symptoms may be subtle, making it difficult to immediately recognize that a dog has been infected. These early signs include behavioral and physical changes such as:

• Increased anxiety

One of the first signs of rabies is the change in behavior, such as an increase in anxiety. Normally, your dog might be calm and relaxed, but may become fearful, anxious, and sensitive to things that wouldn’t normally affect them. 

• Restlessness and irritability

As rabies progresses, dogs may exhibit restlessness and irritability, pacing or moving about without reason. They may become more active, but in a way that shows they are sensitive to their surroundings. With a slight inconvenience or toughness, they may become extremely agitated and may have the tendency to bite.

• Fever

A mild fever is also one of the many signs of rabies in dogs. However, this sign is not exactly a definitive sign of rabies, as it can also mean different health conditions and can be hard to pinpoint as a rabies infection. 

• Loss of appetite

A rabid dog often loses interest in food and may stop eating altogether. This sudden loss of appetite can stem from the dog’s discomfort, anxiety, or the overall effects of the virus on their body. Since the virus affects their brain and nervous system, they might find food less enticing, especially when they’ll have difficulty swallowing.

• Paralysis

Paralysis is exhibited in the later stages of a rabies condition. This can begin as a partial type of paralysis, with only a small area or a specific part being affected. As time goes on, the paralysis may spread and may affect other areas other than the bite wound. This also leads to foaming of the mouth of the dog due to the extreme effects of paralysis.

• Excessive drooling

Another effect of the paralysis is excessive drooling. This happens because the dog is unable to swallow, causing a buildup of saliva in the mouth. In addition to drooling, the dog may also have difficulty breathing, which is a sign that the virus is progressing rapidly.

• Licking of wound

Dogs may excessively lick the area of their bite wound. This is driven by the irritation they feel from the exposed area and the discomfort brought by the virus. Licking can also bring about a bacterial infection, making the dog’s condition worse.

• Seizures

As rabies continues to affect the brain and spinal cord, dogs may experience seizures. These can range from mild tremors to uncontrollable convlusions. Seizures often mark the advanced stages of the disease. Once this symptoms starts, the dog’s condition is likely to deteriorate quickly.

Forms of Rabies in Dogs

There are two common forms of rabies in dogs, each with a group of symptoms and signs. These are:

Furious Rabies

This form of rabies is more common. It’s characterized by a showing of extreme aggression, excessive drooling, and an increased sensitivity to light, sound, and objects. Dogs may become extremelely excitable, getting irritated with people, animals, and simple things that did not affect them in the past. They may even bite and experience disorientation, seizures, and jolts of hyperactivity.

Paralytic Rabies

This form is more passive than furious rabies, but it is still dangerous. It leads to muscle weakness, starting at the bite site and progressing to full-body paralysis. A dog with paralytic rabies may have difficulty swallowing and moving, excessive drooling, and eventually become unable to move as the virus attacks their central nervous system.

How to Diagnose Rabies in Dogs?

Diagnosing rabies in dogs proves to be difficult, especially when the symptoms have not yet been shown. Because the virus takes several weeks to incubate, the signs may not be clear immediately. To date, there is no efficient and concrete way to diagnose rabies in dogs, which is why it’s difficult to manage. The signs show up too late, at a time when the damage has already been done. 

In suspected cases of a potential rabies condition, the dogs are quarantined and observed for around 10 days to check for the symptoms. To get a reliable reading, the dog will have to be euthanized and have its brain thoroughly examined to determine if a rabies infection was present. 

For safety reasons, it's crucial that any dog suspected of being rabid is handled with care to avoid exposure to humans or other animals.

How to Treat Rabies in Dogs?

Along with diagnosis, there is no surefire way to treat rabies in dogs. Once the virus has spread and affected the dog’s brain and central nervous system, there is no way to stop it. The best way to help your dog would be to euthanize it and relieve it of its suffering. Giving your dog a soft way out will be easier than allowing it to suffer more. 

How to Prevent Rabies in Dogs 

Preventing rabies in dogs is an essential part of taking care of our best friends. In some countries, it is a requirement to have your dog vaccinated for rabies for travel and ownership. The most effective way to protect your dog is through a combination of vaccination, supervision, and avoiding potential sources of infection. Here are some tips on preventing rabies in your dogs:

Get Your Dog Vaccinated

The rabies vaccine is the most effective tool in preventing the disease. Our vets recommend getting your puppies vaccinated against rabies at the age of 14 to 16 weeks, followed by a booster shot a year later. After that, depending on your local regulations and the type of vaccine used, your dog will need booster shots every one to three years. 

These vaccines are highly effective, and keeping your dog up to date with their shots ensures lifelong protection against rabies. Vaccinated dogs are highly unlikely to contract rabies, even if they are exposed to the virus. If your dog is exposed to a potentially rabid animal, a rabies booster shot within days of exposure can provide additional protection and prevent the virus from taking hold.

Follow the schedule we have provided, and your dog will have a very small chance to contract rabies. While it’s still possible for dogs to get rabies even while being vaccinated, the chance is very small and vaccination is the best way to protect them.

Avoid Wild Animals

Wild animals are common in neighborhood with a close proximity to forests. With that, it’s important to keep your dog away from these animals. Wild animals are common carriers of rabies. Even if they appear healthy, we wouldn’t know the diseases they carry. This is also the case for stray dogs and cats, as they might not have been vaccinated against rabies.

If you see any animal behaving strangely, keep your dog away and report the animal to local authorities. Never attempt to approach or capture a wild animal that may have rabies. Dogs and other pets that have not been vaccinated can still contract and spread rabies.

Secure Your Home

A good way to protect your dog is to keep it inside. A clean and protected home can keep your dog safe from the animals that roam around your neighborhood. With this, your dogs can also reduce the risk of getting injuries and brawls with other animals around. By minimizing their interactions, you can safeguard your pup at home.

To make up for it, schedule supervised playtimes with your neighbor's pets. Make sure their pets are vaccinated before allowing your dog to play with theirs. Always remember to put your dog’s health first, as rabies is a very difficult disease to manage. 

Conclusion

Rabies is a very serious disease that should be dealt with with caution and with great concern. With proper preparation and prevention, your dog should have nothing to worry about. Vaccination is the most effective way to shield your dog from rabies, and our vets will be happy to assist you. When it comes to your pet’s health, we got you back!