Rabies is one of the most dreaded diseases in dogs, almost everyone who knows anything about dogs, knows that rabies is something to be afraid of.
Rabies is one of the most deadly illnesses that affect dogs all over the world.
Although primarily found in animals in the wild, rabies is also known of affect domestic dogs and cats.
It is important as a responsible dog owner to know about the disease and how to deal with it in case you ever come across this disease in your dog.
Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system of an animal; there is no cure or treatment for this disease.
Caused by a deadly virus the disease is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal.
When an infected animal bites a healthy animal this disease is transmitted into the healthy animals, it travels through the nerves of the animal to the spinal cord, and then enters the brain of the animal.
The incubation period of the disease varies from animal to animal and is usually between two to eight weeks.
Since the disease is so dangerous and deadly, it also has the potential of being transmitted to humans; it is imperative that you know the symptoms of the disease to be able to handle the situation.
There are three basic stages of rabies, your dog might go through any one of these states or all of these stages, however once a dog contracts rabies, death is certain.
The different symptoms of each stage are listed below.
Prodromal Phase: Prodromal phase of rabies is the stage of the disease in which the dog will probably show nervousness and anxiety.
A usually friendly dog will become shy and avoid contact with human beings and other dogs.
Also in this stage aggressive dogs will become docile.
Dogs have known to have fever in this stage too.
The infected dog will usually lick the part of the body where they have been bitten.
The prodromal phase lasts for about two to three days in most dogs.
Furious Phase: Furious phase usually follows the prodromal phase in dogs with rabies.
In the furious phase dogs have been known to show erratic behavior, they become restless and aggressive and show an urge to eat, they are willing to eat even non edible things.
The dogs roam about and pace in the furious stage and if they are caged they are known to bite and attack the enclosure.
A dog in this phase will be disoriented and might suffer from seizures; some dogs with rabies will die in this phase while some will go on to the next phase.
Furious phase in an infected dog lasts between one and seven days.
Paralytic phase: This is the last phase of the disease in a dog if they have not already expired in the first two phases.
In this phase the nerves in the head and throat of the dog are severely affected; the dog starts drooling and in unable to swallow.
Dogs in this stage will avoid fluids.
The lower jaw of an affected dog will hang since the muscles have started becoming paralyzed.
As the symptoms progress the dog suffers from respiratory problems and will eventually die.
As already stated there is no cure or treatment for the disease so the best option for dog owners is to take preventive measure, A dog should be vaccinated against this deadly disease and show be kept away from stay dogs and other animals that might be infected.
Rabies is one of the most deadly illnesses that affect dogs all over the world.
Although primarily found in animals in the wild, rabies is also known of affect domestic dogs and cats.
It is important as a responsible dog owner to know about the disease and how to deal with it in case you ever come across this disease in your dog.
Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system of an animal; there is no cure or treatment for this disease.
Caused by a deadly virus the disease is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal.
When an infected animal bites a healthy animal this disease is transmitted into the healthy animals, it travels through the nerves of the animal to the spinal cord, and then enters the brain of the animal.
The incubation period of the disease varies from animal to animal and is usually between two to eight weeks.
Since the disease is so dangerous and deadly, it also has the potential of being transmitted to humans; it is imperative that you know the symptoms of the disease to be able to handle the situation.
There are three basic stages of rabies, your dog might go through any one of these states or all of these stages, however once a dog contracts rabies, death is certain.
The different symptoms of each stage are listed below.
Prodromal Phase: Prodromal phase of rabies is the stage of the disease in which the dog will probably show nervousness and anxiety.
A usually friendly dog will become shy and avoid contact with human beings and other dogs.
Also in this stage aggressive dogs will become docile.
Dogs have known to have fever in this stage too.
The infected dog will usually lick the part of the body where they have been bitten.
The prodromal phase lasts for about two to three days in most dogs.
Furious Phase: Furious phase usually follows the prodromal phase in dogs with rabies.
In the furious phase dogs have been known to show erratic behavior, they become restless and aggressive and show an urge to eat, they are willing to eat even non edible things.
The dogs roam about and pace in the furious stage and if they are caged they are known to bite and attack the enclosure.
A dog in this phase will be disoriented and might suffer from seizures; some dogs with rabies will die in this phase while some will go on to the next phase.
Furious phase in an infected dog lasts between one and seven days.
Paralytic phase: This is the last phase of the disease in a dog if they have not already expired in the first two phases.
In this phase the nerves in the head and throat of the dog are severely affected; the dog starts drooling and in unable to swallow.
Dogs in this stage will avoid fluids.
The lower jaw of an affected dog will hang since the muscles have started becoming paralyzed.
As the symptoms progress the dog suffers from respiratory problems and will eventually die.
As already stated there is no cure or treatment for the disease so the best option for dog owners is to take preventive measure, A dog should be vaccinated against this deadly disease and show be kept away from stay dogs and other animals that might be infected.
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