Rabies is a deadly virus spread to people from the saliva of infected animals. The rabies virus is usually transmitted through a bite. After a bite or other rabies exposure, the rabies virus has to travel through the body to the brain before it can cause symptoms. This time between the exposure and the appearance of symptoms is called the incubation period, and it may last for weeks to months. The incubation period may vary based on the location of the exposure site (how far away it is from the brain), the type of rabies virus, and any existing immunity. Usually, bites on the head region are more dangerous than bites on the leg region.
How Can My Dog Get Rabies?
Rabies is secreted in saliva, is passed through a bite wound from an infected animal, enters the bloodstream. It can also pass through an open wound that is exposed to the saliva of an infected animal, usually by licking. he virus can be in the body for weeks before signs develop. Most cases in dogs develop within 21 to 80 days after exposure, but the incubation period may be considerably shorter or longer.
While it can pass between pets, rabies in dogs most frequently comes from exposure to wild animals like bats, raccoons, and foxes.
What Are the Symptoms of Rabies in Pet Animals?
Pets may quickly become restless and irritable, even showing aggression. Rabid animals may also be uncharacteristically affectionate. Similarly, if your dog is usually excited and happy, they may suddenly seem relaxed and disinterested. Physical signs of rabies in dogs to watch for include fever, difficulty swallowing, excessive drooling, staggering, seizures, and even paralysis.
As the virus progresses, your dog may act as though they are overstimulated, meaning lights, movement, and sound may appear to have a negative effect. They may seek out a dark, quiet place to hide or act aggressively. The posture is alert and anxious, with pupils dilated. Noise can invite attack. Such animals lose fear and caution of other animals. Young pups seek out human companionship and are overly playful, but will bite even when petted and become vicious within a few hours. As the disease progresses, seizures and lack of muscle coordination are common. Death is caused by a progressive paralysis.
Diagnosis is difficult, especially in areas where rabies is not common. Early stages of rabies can be easily confused with other diseases or with normal aggressive tendencies. A rabies diagnosis must be verified with laboratory tests. The animal must be euthanized and the remains sent for laboratory analysis.
Symptoms of rabies in man
Once a person begins showing signs and symptoms of rabies, the disease nearly always causes death. Symptoms are the same as animals. For this reason, anyone who may have a risk of contracting rabies should receive rabies vaccinations for protection.
Symptoms
- Fever
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Hyperactivity
- Difficulty swallowing
- Excessive salivation
- Fear brought on by attempts to drink fluids because of difficulty swallowing water
- Hallucinations
- Insomnia
- Partial paralysis
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