How Common Is Rabies in Dogs and What Are the Symptoms?
📝 Summary
Rabies in dogs has a variable incubation (about 15 days, sometimes months to years) and shows two forms - furious and paralytic. A rabid dog drools, foams, attacks, and fears water; it must be put down and the area disinfected to stop spread.
1 How Common Is Rabies in Dogs and What Are the Symptoms?
Symptoms of rabies
Rabies has two main forms – furious and paralytic – and the paralytic form resembles the paralytic stage of the furious type.
Furious form: three stages – prodrome, excitement, paralysis.
1. Prodrome: low mood, dull response, ignores the owner, fear of light, difficulty swallowing, constant drooling, weak hind legs, dilated pupils; lasts one or two days.
2. Excitement: the dog turns aggressive, attacks people and animals, or bites its own limbs and rear, with confused awareness and a sideways stare. After a rage it becomes sullen and tired, but recovers slightly and rages again at any stimulus. Once it leaves home it loses its way and barks hoarsely at people and animals, with jaw paralysis and drooling.
3. Paralysis: symptoms match the paralytic stage of the furious form; death comes from failure of the nerve centers.
A dog carrying the virus looks normal before onset. After rabies starts the dog vomits, foams irregularly and unconsciously, and shows mad neurologic signs – endless barking, aimless running, biting and attacking, fear of water. Do not hesitate: put the rabid dog down promptly to prevent harm and spread, then bury it deeply and disinfect the environment.
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