Rabies In Dogs

Let's talk about rabies in dogs.

You've heard of rabies, but you might not know exactly what it is. If you have a dog you need to be aware of rabies because it is a serious virus that can be fatal for your beloved pet. This article will discuss rabies in dogs and its symptoms.

Most dogs get rabies from wild animals that are affected. It is typically transmitted through a bite. If you live somewhere that has a lot of skunks, raccoons, foxes, etc be careful where you allow your dog to go. Try to avoid your dog from getting rabies, don't let it run off by itself or after wild animals.

Rabies affects the brain and central nervous system. If you even suspect that your dog has been bitten by a wild animal or even another dog, you should get it checked by your veterinarian. Don't just wait to see if your dog develops any symptoms. This dangerous virus can actually take a month to develop, but once it does it can rapidly get severe.

In many cases you can tell an animal has rabies because of its behavior. Infected animals are often aggression. Other symptoms of rabies in dogs include paralysis, fever, seizures, inability to swallow, frothy saliva, pica which is the ingestion of non-food items, and you may even notice the dog's bark changes in tone.

Rabies can be transmitted to humans, so if you believe your dog has rabies you may want to keep them in a cage or put a muzzle on them, especially if they are already showing signs of aggression. Your veterinarian will actually keep your dog and quarantine it for about 10 days.

If your dog was vaccinated for rabies, your veterinarian should have a record and as previously mentioned the dog will be kept and monitored for 10 days. If your dog wasn't vaccinated your veterinarian will euthanize if it begins to act aggressively or the dog will most likely die on its own within a week or so. 

The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your veterinarian or other health care professional. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment.