Muscle pain Restlessness Irritability Chills Fever Malaise, a general feeling of sickness and discomfort Photophobia, a fear of bright lights Anorexia, or disinterest in food Vomiting Diarrhea Inability or unwillingness to swallow Cough Paralysis of the throat and jaw muscles may follow
Paralysis (inability to move) of the legs, facial muscles, or other parts of the body. This normally starts in the hind legs and moves forward through the body. Dropping of the lower jaw, leading to a ‘dumb’ look. Making a strange barking sound that does not sound like a normal bark. Excess salivation that creates foam around the mouth. Difficulty swallowing. Note that in this form of rabies, dogs are not vicious and rarely try to bite.
Profuse salivation that will look like foam around the dog’s mouth. Hydrophobia, fear of water. The dog will not go near water and will seem uneasy or panicked at the sound or touch of water. Aggressiveness. The dog may look like he’s trying to bite and will viciously show all his teeth. Restlessness or discomfort. He may also be disinterested in food. Irritability. The slightest provocation may cause the dog to attack and bite. The dog might even do this without any provocation or cause. Abnormal behaviour like chewing on rocks, rubbish or his own legs. The dog may also follow your hand around if you wave it in front of him while he is in a cage. He may try to bite it. Overly playful puppies that suddenly bite when petted, and become vicious after a few hours.
Once the disease enters the body, it travels by the nerves until it reaches the central nervous system (the spinal cord and the brain). [10] X Research source Kayali, U. , Mindekem, R. , Yemadji, N. , Oussiguere, A. , Naı̈ssengar, S. , Ndoutamia, A. G. , & Zinsstag, J. (2003). Incidence of canine rabies in N’Djamena, Chad. Preventive veterinary medicine, 61(3), 227-233. From there, it spreads to the salivary glands where it prepares to spread to another victim.
If you see signs that a dog that is not yours might be infected, call animal control. [11] X Expert Source Ray Spragley, DVMVeterinarian Expert Interview. 29 June 2021. This way, the dog can be taken to a veterinarian without putting you at risk for a bite. There aren’t any tests to determine if live animals have rabies or not. The only test is one in which the brain is removed from the body and small sections of the brain are examined under a microscope for specific signs called Negri bodies. [12] X Trustworthy Source Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine Leading veterinary medicine training institution and biomedical research center Go to source
Euthanizing the dog prevents serious health risks to humans and keeps the dog from becoming fully rabid. If you refuse to euthanize the dog, it will be quarantined and observed for 6 months, at a willing veterinary clinic. You’ll be responsible for the costs and if your dog doesn’t become rabid, he’ll be vaccinated one month before being released.
Infectious canine hepatitis Meningitis Tetanus Toxoplasmosis Brain tumors Maternal aggression in females who have recently whelped a litter of puppies Poisoning from chemicals such as diminazene or organophosphate
Many countries have laws requiring dogs to be vaccinated against rabies.
Pay particular attention to your dog when you take him for hikes or walks through areas where wild animals are common.
Veterinarians Veterinary technicians Rabies laboratory personnel People who work with wildlife either at wildlife sanctuaries, rehab centers, or parks
If they can’t find the animal or it is found and tests positive for rabies, you will be put on a post-exposure vaccine course which varies depending on if you’ve had a previous rabies vaccine or if you haven’t.
