RABIES

What is Rabies?

Rabies is an infection caused by a virus. It affects the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) of any kind of mammal. 

Animals that are infected with rabies-rabid animals-can spread the disease through their saliva or brain tissue. People usually get rabies when a rabid animal bites them. Bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and coyotes are the animals most likely to have rabies. Rabies virus can spread to pets, such as dogs, cats, and ferrets. Rabies is Fatal. 

Symptoms in Dogs

First Symptoms of Rabies:

Last 2 to 3 days

• Change in tone of the dog's bark
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Subtle changes in behavior

Furious Phase: "Mad Dog Syndrome"

The second phase of infection usually lasts 2 to 4 days and not all rabid animals experience it. Animals that enter immediately into the final paralytic phase are sometimes said to have dumb or paralytic rabies.

• Craving to eat anything, including inedible objects
• Constant growling and barking
• Dilated pupils
• Disorientation
• Erratic behavior
• Episodes of aggression
• Facial expression showing anxiety and hyper alertness
• Irritability
• No fear of natural enemies (e.g., wild animals may not be afraid of people)
• Restlessness
• Roaming
• Seizures
• Trembling and muscles not coordinating.

Paralytic Phase:

The third and final phase of infection usually lasts for 2 to 4 days. 

• Appearance of choking
• Dropping of the lower jaw (in dogs)
• Inability to swallow, leading to drooling and foaming of saliva (i.e., "foaming at the mouth")
• Paralysis of jaw, throat, and chewing muscles.

Paralysis then spreads to other parts of the body; the animal becomes depressed, rapidly enters a coma and dies.