10/04/2024
What is rabies?
Rabies is an incurable virus that attacks the brain and spinal cord. All mammals, including dogs and humans, can catch rabies.
While it’s preventable and even treatable, it must be caught early on. Once the symptoms of rabies appear, the virus is fatal. Unfortunately, there is only one way to "test" for rabies in animals and that test requires the death of the animal so its brain can be tested. THis is why keeping your pet vaccinated against rabies is so critical.
SIGNS TO LOOK OUT FOR
Listed below are the 6 signs of dog rabies that pet owners should look out for:
1. STAGGERING GAIT
A staggering gait is often one of the first signs associated with rabies in dogs. It is possible that this symptom could be mistaken for other health problems, however, so pay close attention to your dog if he suddenly develops a wobble.
It is possible that a staggering gait could be related to many other health problems but if your pet has been unsupervised and around unvaccinated animals, both domestic and non-domestic, ruling out rabies should be considered.
2. AVOIDANCE OF WATER/ DIFFICULTY SWALLOWING
An avoidance of water occurs when dogs are infected with rabies. Dogs may seem almost afraid of water and unwilling to drink at all. This is because the condition causes paralysis of the throat muscles and makes it difficult or unable for dogs to swallow.
An avoidance of water is a clear sign of rabies. Any dog that is unwilling or unable to drink water along with other symptoms on this list absolutely must be tested for rabies immediately. If your dog is unwilling to drink water and shows no other signs on this list, he should still be tested, but may have another condition instead.
3. EXCESSIVE DROOLING
Excessive drooling as a symptom on its own may not always be related to rabies. However, excessive drooling along with other symptoms on this list—or excessive drooling that produces extreme volumes of saliva—is likely to be a sign of rabies.