Rabies symptoms in dogs

Dogs infected with rabies exhibit extreme excitement, aggression, drooling, loss of consciousness, and eventually die due to partial or general paralysis. The saliva glands and saliva of infected dogs contain a large amount of virus. The closer the wound is to the head and front limbs, and the deeper the wound, the higher the incidence of rabies. The incubation period of rabies varies, usually 14-56 days, ranging from 8 days to several months or even years. The length of the incubation period is generally related to the depth of the bite wound, the amount of virus, and the toxicity.

Usually, dogs do not show symptoms during the incubation period of rabies. Rabies in dogs can be divided into three stages: pre-symptomatic stage, excited stage, and paralytic stage. The pre-symptomatic stage lasts for 1-2 days, and symptoms include mental depression, dilated pupils, and increased saliva. The excited stage lasts for 2-4 days, and symptoms include aggression, increased attack strength, and laryngeal muscle paralysis. During this stage, there are alternate periods of rage and depression. The paralytic stage lasts for 1-2 days, and symptoms include weight loss, hanging tongue, and walking instability.

Dog rabies, also known as hydrophobia, causes symptoms such as red eyes, fear of light and water. Rabies is a highly contagious and harmful infectious disease usually transmitted through bites or wounds from infected animals. It can be preliminarily diagnosed by clinical symptoms whether a dog has rabies. Antibody titer analysis of cerebrospinal fluid can also be performed on infected dogs. If the rabies virus IgG titer in the cerebrospinal fluid is positive, it indicates that the dog is likely infected with rabies.

Rabies is preventable and controllable but not curable. When relevant symptoms are found in dogs, it is necessary to keep a safe distance from the infected dog and report to relevant departments for handling. Regular vaccination against rabies is necessary for dog ownership. Generally, dogs can be vaccinated against rabies from the third month of age. Do not take dogs outside to contact unfamiliar pets before vaccination and avoid direct contact with injured or dead wild animals.