Symptoms of Rabies in Dogs
Rabies is a 100% fatal disease. It is caused by the bite of rabied dogs, monkeys, cats, cows or bats or may be humans.
99% of human rabies cases are caused by an infected dog bite.
Today I will discuss about rabies in dogs - How they catch the infection of rabies, how can we diagnose rabies and how can we prevent rabies in dogs and transmission in humans ?
Remember Hydrophobia which is fear of drinking water, commonly present in humans but it is not present in dogs (or rarely).
Symptoms
When we heard about rabies, we think of a mad dog, who is barking without a reason and unprovoked, having his tongue out and jaws are full of saliva and foam.
But in reality this is not true picture always.
A rabied dog may look completely normal in initial stages but may be having most lethal virus in his mouth and in saliva.
Remember each dog that bites does not have rabies and each rabied dog doesn't bite.
A dog is infected with rabies virus if an infected wild animal or another infected animal or infected bat bites the dog.
Rabies in dogs presents as Furious form 80% and as paralytic form 20%.
A dog will die in 4 days after rabies symptoms, that's why we observe the dog for 10 days, which includes some grace period. Rabies virus is present in his saliva four days prior to symptoms.
Although rare anti rabies vaccine failure in animals do occur. Therefore even animals with history of vaccination should be observed for 10 days if they bite a person.
Beware of rabies in puppies
Rabies in puppy is usually ignored because aggressiveness of puppy is considered normal (bite + scratching).
If you are vaccinating dogs, give vaccine to all puppies also.
Symptoms according to WHO
1 Hypersalivation
2 Paralysis
3 Lethargy, twitching, fits
4 Abnormal vocalization, strained or hoarse barking
5 Unprovoked abnormal aggression - Biting other animals or persons
Furious type rabies - 80%
Dog is hyperactive, aggressive and irritable
Dog may bite each and every thing which is nearby
Dog's voice is changed , i may be strained or hoarse barking
Dog may have abnormal twitching of muscles, may have seizures and may bite other animals or persons without provoking.
Paralytic rabies 20% or dumb form
In this type dog develops paralysis and weakness of muscles
Dog may not be able to walk properly.
Dog may not be interested in playing, looks sleepy and lethargy.
Rabies do paralysis of tongue and muscles of jaw -- That's why tongue is loose, coming out of jaws. jaw remains open, saliva comes out & jaw is full of saliva and foam.
Every dog has different symptoms. Some are not able to drink water, some eat very easily.
What to do if other stray animal bites your dog
If a wild or stray animal bites your dog-
Call your vet or someone from vet clinic
Let him examine the wound and clean the wound to prevent infection
dog will also be given booster of rabies vaccination.
What not to do
You do not clean wound yourself because you can catch rabies from dog. Or wear gloves.
Dog vaccination
It is done under guidance of a vet doctor.
Every dog has different symptoms. Some are not able to drink water, some eat very easily.
What to do if other animal bites your dog
If a wild or stray animal bites your dog-
*Call your vet or helper from vet clinic
*Let him examine the wound and clean the wound to prevent infection
*Dog will also be given booster of rabies vaccination
What not to do
You don't clean wound yourself, you can catch rabies from dog.
or wear gloves.
Don't give vaccination to a symptomatic unvaccinated dog - may cause a severe adverse reaction
Dog vaccination
It is done under guidance of a vet doctor.
Diagnosis
There is no test for diagnosis of rabies, can only be diagnosed by direct examination of brain.
The safest possibility for diagnosis is to sacrifice the animal or strict quarantine for many months.
I also have videos on these topics-
How many days after dog bite rabies symptoms appear
What happens if a vaccinated dog bites you
What to do if a dog bites you but doesn't break skin, and breaks the skin
Dog bite injection dose days
Can I take rabies vaccine without dog bite
Which injection is used for dog bite
Dog bit
Anti rabies vaccine dose for adults
How long anti rabies vaccine is effective in humans in India