Rabies is a deadly viral disease that attacks the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. It is a zoonotic disease, which is transmitted from animals to humans. It spreads through the saliva of infected animals via bites or scratches. It can also be transmitted if an infected animal's saliva or mucus enters the body of a non-infected person through broken skin, eyes, mouth, or open wounds. The signs of rabies appear approximately after 3 weeks to 3 months, known as the incubation period.
Rabies Symptoms in Dogs
Some of the common signs of rabies in dogs include:
1. Behavioural Signs
- Furious Form - This is the most common form of rabies in dogs, accounting for about 85% of cases. Dogs with furious rabies are aggressive, hyperactive, and may hallucinate. They may also eat or chew things like stones, mud, and litter. Eventually, fatal paralysis sets in and the dog may succumb to a violent seizure.
- Dumb/Paralytic Form - Dogs with paralytic rabies develop progressive paralysis in their limbs, have difficulty swallowing, excessive drooling of saliva (with or without foam) and their face becomes distorted. They often go into a coma in a life-threatening situation.
2. Nervous Signs
- Aggression: Dogs may show uncharacteristic aggression or attack for no reason
- Fear: They may show fearfulness or be afraid of water (Hydrophobia) or air blown on their face
- Confusion: Dogs may appear confused or disoriented
- Sensitivity: Rabies makes a dog sensitive to touch, sound, or light due to alterations in the nervous system
- Biting at the Site: Dogs may bite/scratch at the site where they were exposed to the virus
- Barking Differently: There can be unusual vocalization like growling, whining or barking (when not typical)
3. Lethargy and Loss of Appetite
Dogs with rabies may appear lethargic or fatigued and may spend more time sleeping. The dog starts losing interest in eating and there is a huge loss of appetite. Fever can be observed in most of the cases that discourages appetite.
What to do if your dog gets bitten by another animal?
Rabies is one of the deadliest diseases around the world which has no cure. Once the nervous signs start to appear, it becomes life-threatening for the individual. However, the prevention of Rabies is quite easy with vaccination. So here’s what you can do if your dog gets bitten by any other animal:
- Immediately wash the area of the bite thoroughly with soap and water
- Apply an antiseptic ointment over it
- Immediately contact your veterinarian for the post-bite injection schedule
- Strictly follow the vaccination schedule and don't leave the treatment in between
Common Facts About Rabies
- Not every dog is infected with rabies, so having a mindset that every stray dog has rabies is wrong. However, one must be cautious when around strays.
- Besides dogs, there are several other animals like cats, monkeys, foxes, bats, raccoons and some wild animals that can spread rabies virus.
- Rabies is a highly dangerous and life-threatening virus. It has no cure and it can only be prevented.
- Dogs need one shot of the Anti-Rabies Vaccine every year, irrespective of whether it has been bitten by another animal or not.
Know More About Rabies
Transmission of Rabies
- Rabies does not spread through the air. So if you are standing close to an infected animal, you won't catch it.
- Rabies does not spread through blood, urine, or faeces. The only source of spread is through the saliva of infected animals
After Care for Rabies
- After getting bitten or scratched by any animal, strictly follow the vaccination protocol as recommended by your veterinarian. Missing any dose in between or not completing the course of treatment is highly fatal.
- If your pet gets bitten, get the first shot of vaccination within 24 hours of the bite to stop the spread of the virus throughout their body.
- Even if your dog has been already vaccinated for rabies, still you must follow the vaccine schedule after being bitten by another animal.
How to Prevent Rabies?
- Vaccinate your pet: Keep your pet up to date on their vaccination schedule
- Control your pets: Don't let your pets roam and socialize unsupervised
- Avoid other animals: Keep distance from wild and stray animals, even if they seem friendly
- Know the Signs: Be aware of the risk of rabies and know about its signs to timely address the issue
