Learn the signs, causes, and development time of rabies in dogs. Instructions on how to prevent rabies in dogs effectively.
Rabies in dogs is a nightmare for every pet owner. This is one of the most dangerous diseases today. They are not only dangerous to pets but also to people. Let’s learn about this scary disease through article below.
Rabies is a contagious disease
Rabies in dogs is a contagious disease that is passed from one individual to another. During the incubation period, dogs are usually just tired or don’t want anyone to touch them. After the incubation period, the onset of the disease will have more obvious symptoms such as:
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Dogs are often lethargic, drooling a lot, and the pupils of the eyes are often pulled down and slightly cloudy.
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The dog’s body is tired, often lying still. If he did, his legs would shake and wobble.
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When rabies occurs, the dogs will have an irritable temperament, bite things and do not let people touch people.
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Occasionally dogs will have convulsions and seizures all over their body.
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When dogs enter the final stages of rabies, they will lie still, cannot close their mouths and drool a lot and will die after a few hours.
What causes rabies in dogs?
Rabies is caused by a virus of the genus Lyssavirus of the family Rhabdoviridae found worldwide. After entering the body, the rabies virus will try to travel to the central nervous system such as the brain and spinal cord to cause paralysis, acute encephalitis that makes their host unable to control their nerves. . This virus mainly enters the animal’s body through open wounds through 2 ways: direct and indirect.
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Direct cause: Canine rabies is transmitted when your dog is bitten, or injured by another rabid animal.
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Indirect causes: Humans and dogs can also be infected with this virus through mechanical, open, uncooled wounds that have been exposed to saliva containing Lyssavirus of rabies.
The development of rabies in dogs
Rabies in dogs has a rather long incubation period (5-60 days) so it is difficult to detect. After the incubation period, the virus attacks the central nervous system and begins to spread. Since the onset of the disease, dogs with rabies usually only live 3 to 5 days. When it comes to disease, rabies in dogs is divided into two types: the frenzy and the paralytic.
Crazy body
Symptoms of rabid rabies are characterized by extreme behavioral changes that include escape, possessive, and aggressive behaviors. The appearance of the rabid dog has changed badly, the jaw is late, the eyes are cloudy and red, the drool continuously flows and the mouth foams white. Rabid dogs will find ways to get out, even if they are locked in a cage or chain, they still try to scratch and bite. The dog’s body debilitates very quickly, at first it looks like a dry skeleton, then gradually the madness will turn to paralysis, the dog will weaken and die.
Paralyzed body
After going through the frenzy, the dog will become paralyzed, but there are still cases where the dog will go straight to the paralytic state. At this time, pets rarely go crazy, but only sad and depressed, hiding in the corner of the house. The facial muscles of dogs are paralyzed, causing their jaws to lag, not being able to close their mouths, drool flowing freely, unable to bite or tear anything. They cannot move because the limbs are completely paralyzed, sometimes licking the owner’s feet and hands and then dying 3 to 5 days later.
What to do when you find out that your dog has rabies
When detecting that your dog has abnormal symptoms, you should take good care of him, lock him in a separate space and take him to the nearest medical facility. If your dog has just been bitten by another pet, contact your veterinarian to treat the wound safely. Do not be too worried to wash your dog’s bite yourself, this can make the situation worse. If you find a stray or a roaming dog outside that exhibits unusual symptoms that resemble those of rabies, call your nearest veterinarian or animal control station.
Methods to prevent rabies in dogs
Vaccinations for dogs
To prevent rabies in dogs, the best way is to vaccinate your dog against rabies. When the puppy is 4 weeks old, you should take them to the nearest medical facility for vaccination, and repeat the first dose once a year. Because this disease has no specific treatment, this is the only way to prevent dogs from contracting the virus.
Hygiene is also very important
Cleaning is also a very important step. Regardless of the disease prevention, the hygiene of the dog’s place is still essential. A clean home creates an environment that does not allow bacteria and viruses to grow. It is advisable to bathe your dog on a schedule to prevent long-term bacterial growth.
Have the right diet and exercise
A proper diet and exercise will help keep your dog healthy and strengthen the immune system. When you take your dog for a walk, make sure he doesn’t come into conflict with other dogs to prevent infection. For dogs that unfortunately die from rabies, you need to treat them properly by biochemical methods.
Here is some information about rabies in dogs. Hope the article will help you in the process of taking care of your dog.