Rabies
Whenever a dog is bitten by another animal, there is always a chance of infection from rabies. Rabies is a virus that can affect any warm-blooded animal.
Rabies primarily attacks the nervous system and causes encephalitis. The virus is transmitted in saliva from the bite of an infected animal. The incubation period prior to clinical signs varies extremely, but is usually two-to-eight weeks. The virus will begin shedding in saliva a short time before clinical signs develop, usually less than 10 days.
The primary source of rabies is the bite of a rabid wild animal. The most common of these are skunks, raccoons, bats, and foxes. Currently, the number of affected dogs is on rise. The main reason is that the dogs tend to move freely and some owners simply aren't taking better care of their dogs.
There are three phases to the course of the disease: prodromal, furious, and paralytic.
Death occurs three to-seven days from the onset of signs.
The prodromal stage lasts two-to-three days. The signs can include behavioral changes, fever, slow eye reflexes, and chewing at the bite site.
The furious stage lasts two-to-four days. During this stage, signs of erratic behavior may include irritability, restlessness, barking, aggression, vicious attacks on inanimate objects, and unexplained roaming. Disorientation and seizures may also occur.
The paralytic stage lasts two-to-four days, during which signs of paralysis develop, usually beginning in the limb that was bitten. Paralysis of the throat and face cause a change in the bark, drooling with typical foaming at the mouth, and a dropped jaw. These signs are followed by depression, coma, and death from respiratory paralysis.
Once clinical signs develop, there is no treatment.
The dogs should be vaccinated against rabies per local rules and regulations in order to prevent them from being affected by the disease.
« Return to List of Articles