Rabies in Dogs: Symptoms and Treatment Act!

Rabies is a disease of public domain since it is common for us to vaccinate our pets to prevent it, however, do you really know what it is, its symptoms and the importance of vaccination?

Stay reading this article and together with Waggy's discover everything you need to have a broader context and idea about it. Remember that it is a lethal disease for our animals and highly contagious and yes, humans can also contract it.

What is rabies in dogs?

Rabies is a highly contagious viral disease that affects the central nervous system of canines and other mammals, including humans. It is caused by the rabies virus, which is found in the saliva of the infected animal and is transmitted primarily through bites or scratches. Rabies is a serious and, in most cases, fatal disease for both dogs and humans.

How do you know if a dog has rabies? Symptoms

The symptoms that your pet may present will vary greatly depending on the severity of the situation, however, these may be some of them and it is important that we are attentive to be able to notify the veterinarian.

• Unusual aggression or increased irritability.
• Changes in social behavior, such as seclusion or seeking solitude.
• Unexplained anxiety or excitement.
• Unusual or discordant barking, growling, and howling.
• Difficulty swallowing, which can lead to excessive saliva or drooling.
• Partial or complete paralysis, usually starting in the hind limbs and progressing upward.
• Seizures or muscle spasms.
• Instability when walking or moving.
• Hyperactivity and agitation followed by weakness.
• Fear of drinking water due to difficulty swallowing and the feeling of choking when trying to swallow.
• Changes in saliva production, which can lead to thicker or foamier saliva.
• Abnormal breathing or difficulty breathing.
• Extreme fatigue and general weakness.

What causes rabies in a dog? Causes

There really is no external reason why your dog gets rabies. This disease is caused by a virus of the Rhabdoviridae family and is transmitted through a bite, scratch or contact of a wound with the saliva of an infected animal, although these last two situations are caused less frequently.

Rabies treatments

Rabies has no treatment or cure, which is why Waggy's places great emphasis on the importance of disease prevention through vaccination. It is a lethal disease for our pets and let us remember that humans can become infected with rabies after a dog bite.

How is rabies transmitted?

As explained above, rabies is spread through the saliva of an infected animal. Infection usually occurs after the bite of an animal that is already infected, whether it has symptoms or not. During the first phase of infection the virus remains in the wound. It then travels through the nervous system to the brain tissue and multiplies there. In the final stage it spreads through the nerves until it reaches the salivary glands.

When does rabies start in dogs?

Once the dog is infected, the virus usually incubates for 2 to 8 weeks before symptoms are noticed, although its transmission occurs fairly quickly. Infected saliva travels through the nerves and spinal cord to the brain. Once this organ is infected, the virus multiplies and spreads to the salivary glands, which is when signs of the disease appear. The virus may be in a canine's body for weeks before the dog is determined to be infected. For example, in most cases, signs of rabies develop between 21 and 80 days after exposure.

Veterinary diagnosis

Once we go to the veterinarian, it is necessary that clinical laboratories be carried out. Rabies is diagnosed using the direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) staining test, which looks for rabies viral antigens in brain tissue. In humans, several tests are required. Within a few hours, the diagnostic laboratory can determine whether an animal is rabid and inform the medical staff in charge.

It must be clarified that any visit to the veterinarian can cause the famous aggression in dogs as well as a lot of stress and anxiety in dogs , which is why at Waggy's we offer you our 100% natural CBD products for dogs , which will help calm your pet. In addition, they contain Omega 3 for dogs , a necessary and essential component for the development of our pet, so they are the best option to choose.

How to prevent rabies?

Without a doubt, as in many diseases and illnesses, vaccinating our pets will always be our salvation. Do you already know the importance of their vaccination schedule? I leave you the information here: https://waggys.pet/blogs/waggys-blog/calendario-vacunacion-perros-cuales-son-y-cuanto-aplicarlas

Dog rabies vaccination is mandatory to protect the health of animals and humans since this disease has a 100% mortality rate in both people and animals. It is also a notifiable disease and should preferably be administered annually to guarantee protection against the disease.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Waggys considers it important to remember the importance of preventing these diseases through vaccination. They are situations that can be prevented and that have a heavy responsibility on us. Our pets are living beings that require care, so let's give them the healthiest life possible.

We recommend that you continue reading the following articles: My dog ​​has a cough , my dog ​​vomits white foam , dyspnea or respiratory problems in dogs , leptospirosis in dogs , epilepsy in dogs and diarrhea in dogs . These talk about other conditions and/or diseases that can affect your pet and it is important that you know how to prevent them.

To conclude, we thank you for reading us and if you have any questions or information about our products, do not hesitate to contact us through our social networks. We remain at your service and see you in the next blog.