What is Rabies?
Rabies is a preventable viral disease that attacks the brain and spinal cord. All mammals, including dogs and humans, can catch rabies. While it’s preventable and even treatable, it must be caught early on. Once the symptoms of rabies appear, the virus is fatal. This is why keeping your pet vaccinated against rabies is a critical and important step.
What are the symptoms of Rabies?
One of the most well known symptoms of rabies in dogs is foaming at the mouth. Some dogs may not show “foaming” but simply excess saliva or drooling. This is a sign that the virus has progressed. In the final stages of rabies, seizures and increasing paralysis are common. Dogs in this stage can’t control their muscles — especially in their head and throat — which makes swallowing difficult. Eventually breathing isn’t possible, which leads to death.
The virus can be in your dog’s body for weeks before signs develop. Most cases in dogs develop within 21 to 80 days after exposure, but the incubation period can be much shorter or longer. Once rabies shows symptoms, it can’t be treated, so it’s important to call your vet as soon as your dog has been bitten.
Some symptoms to look for are:
general sickness
problems swallowing
excessive drool or saliva
an animal that is overly aggressive
an animal that bites at imaginary objects (sometimes called “fly biting”)
an animal that appears tamer than you would expect
an animal that’s having trouble moving or may even be paralyzed
How can you prevent rabies in animals?
The best way to prevent rabies is to vaccinate your pet on schedule. In fact, having a rabies vaccination is the law for pets in many states. Nearly all the pets and livestock that get rabies had not received vaccination or were not up to date on rabies vaccination.
The vaccine helps your dog in more ways than one. Vaccination does not just protect your dog from rabies, but it also protects your dog if they bite someone.
If your dog bites another animal or human, the first question asked will be if your dog’s up-to-date with their vaccines.
By proving that your dog has had the rabies vaccine, you can be sure that there’s no threat of rabies transmission. However, if your dog’s vaccinations aren’t up-to-date, they may be quarantined or even euthanized because of the possible threat.
You can also prevent rabies by avoiding contact with wild animals. Walk your dog on a leash, and always be aware of your surroundings. Animals that roam free are more likely to come into contact with wild animals and catch the virus.
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