Rabies in Dogs Symptoms, Causes Treatment
What is Rabies?
Rabies in dogs is a virus that affects the brain and spinal cord, and it is always fatal. The rabies virus is a single-stranded RNA virus of the genus Lyssavirus, in the family Rhabdoviridae. It is transmitted through the exchange of blood or saliva from an infected animal.Rabies is a serious viral disease seen in mammals that adversely affects the central nervous system, leading to death.
Symptoms
- Fever
- Change in tone of bark
- Excessive excitability
- Insensitivity to pain
- Restlessness
- Inability to swallow
- Weakness
- Jaw is dropped
- Sensitivity to touch
- Unusual shyness or aggression
- self-mutilation
- Apprehension
Causes
The most frequent cause of infection with rabies is through contact with a wild animal. rabies is contracted through the exchange of blood and/or saliva from a rabies-infected animal who may or may not be exhibiting symptoms.
Any mammal can carry the rabies virus, however the most common exposure to rabies happens through coming in contact with:
- Bats
- Cats
- Dogs
- Coyotes
- Foxes
Treatment
If you suspect your pet may have come into close contact with a wild animal, even if your pet has been vaccinated, you should take them to the vet immediately. There is no available treatment for rabies infection once symptoms are observed. Infection usually leads to death within 7-10 days after symptoms are first noted. Because rabies presents a threat to public health, laws often required that animals exhibiting symptoms be euthanized.
Prevention
- Rabies vaccination is important in preventing disease.
- Staying away from wild animals is also helpful in preventing the transmission of rabies to dogs.
