Rabies is a highly contagious and very deadly virus that can affect both people and their pets, thankfully, it is preventable with the help of vaccinations. Our Oklahoma City vets are here to discuss how to tell if your dog has rabies and how to prevent it from infecting your dog.
What is rabies?
Rabies is a highly contagious but preventable virus that affects the central nervous system of mammals. The disease is transmitted through the bite of an infected animal and travels along the nerves from the site of the bite to the spinal cord, then to the brain. When rabies reaches the brain, the infected animal develops symptoms and usually dies within 7 days.
How can a dog get rabies?
Rabies is commonly transmitted by wildlife in the United States, such as raccoons, bats, foxes, and skunks — but it can be found in any mammal. Rabies is most commonly found in areas with large populations of unvaccinated feral dogs.
Rabies is transmitted through the saliva of infected mammals and is most commonly transmitted through a bite from an infected animal.Rabies can also be transmitted if an infected animal's saliva comes into contact with an open wound or mucous membranes, such as the gums. The more contact your dog has with wild animals, the greater the risk of infection.
What are the signs & symptoms of rabies in dogs?
There are typically three recognizable stages of the rabies virus in pets. Here are the symptoms associated with them:
Prodromal stage - In this stage, a rabid dog will usually exhibit changes in behavior that differ from their normal personality, if your pet is usually shy, they might become more outgoing, and vice versa. If you notice any behavioral abnormalities following an unknown bite, remove your pet from any other pets and family members, and contact your vet immediately.
Furious stage - The next stage is the most dangerous stage, causing your pet to become nervous and even vicious. They might cry out excessively and experience seizures and stop eating. The virus has gotten to the stage where it has begun attacking the nervous system, and it prevents them from being able to swallow, leading to the classic symptom of rabies, excessive drooling known as "foaming at the mouth."
Paralytic stage - This is the final stage in which a rabid dog will go into a coma, be unable to breathe, and unfortunately, most often pass away. This stage usually occurs about seven days after symptoms begin, with death following within usually 3 days.
How long does rabies take to show symptoms in dogs?
If your pet is infected with the rabies virus, the symptoms will not appear right away. The average incubation period is three to eight weeks, but it can range from 10 days to a year.
The speed at which symptoms appear depends entirely on the infection site. A bite that is closer to the spine or brain will develop much faster than others and it also depends on the severity of the bite.
How to Test a Dog for Rabies
Direct testing of the brain is the only way to diagnose rabies for sure. Direct testing of the brain is the only way to diagnose rabies for sure. If a dog is suspected of having rabies, it should be euthanized and its brain tissue examined for the presence of the virus. This testing should only be conducted by trained professionals in a laboratory setting to ensure accurate results.
Treatment For Rabies In Dogs
If your pet starts to show the symptoms of rabies, unfortunately, there is nothing you or your vet can do for them. There is no known cure for rabies and once symptoms begin to appear, their health will deteriorate within a few days.
If your pet has received all necessary rabies booster shots as well as puppy shots, provide proof of vaccination to your veterinarian. You should notify anyone who has been bitten by your pet or has come into contact with their saliva to seek medical attention immediately. Unfortunately, rabies always kills unvaccinated animals, usually 7 to 10 days after your dog exhibits the first signs of rabies.
If rabies is determined to be the cause of the case, you must notify your local health department. If a non-vaccinated animal is bitten by or comes into contact with one that is known to be rabid, it must be quarantined for up to six months, or as prescribed by local and state laws. In contrast, a vaccinated animal that has bitten or scratched a person needs to be quarantined and watched over for ten days.
The best protection against rabies in dogs and cats is to get them regular preventive vaccinations against the disease. Speak to your vet about making sure your pet is up to date on their rabies shots.
Can I vaccinate my own dog for rabies?
In most places, only licensed veterinarians are authorized to administer the rabies vaccine to animals. Attempting to vaccinate your own dog for rabies could result in legal consequences and may not provide the necessary protection against the disease.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.
