03/06/2021
Rabies is an incurable viral infection of the central nervous system which is transmitted in the saliva by biting mammals. While it can pass between pets, rabies in dogs frequently comes from exposure to wild animals like bats, racoons and foxes.
How long is the incubation period?
The incubation period (the time taken until clinical signs appear) can vary from ten days to one year or longer. In dogs, the incubation period is typically two weeks to four months.
The time taken for clinical signs to develop depends upon:
1. The site of infection - the nearer the bite is to the brain and spinal cord, the quicker the virus reaches the nervous tissue.
2. The severity of the bite.
3. The amount of virus injected by the bite.
What are the clinical signs?
Disease progression is in stages. The first phase being, Prodomal phase whereby the dog undergoes a marked change in temperament. Quiet dogs become agitated and active pets become nervous or shy. This phase can last 2-3 days.
Following this stage, there are two recognized forms of the clinical disease:
Furious rabies occurs when the rabid dog becomes aggressive, highly excitable, and displays evidence of a depraved appetite, eating and chewing stones, earth, and rubbish (pica). Paralysis eventually sets in and the rabid animal may be unable to eat and drink. The dog finally dies in a violent seizure.
Dumb rabies is the more common form in dogs. There is progressive paralysis involving the limbs, distortion of the face and a similar difficulty in swallowing. Owners will frequently think the dog has something stuck in the mouth or throat. Intimately the dog becomes comatose and dies.
Is vaccination effective?
Rabies is better prevented than treated and prevention is through vaccination.
Vaccination promotes the production of antibodies but is only effective if given before the virus enters the nervous system.
What is the treatment for rabies?
There is no treatment for a dog with rabies. If rabies is suspected, the dog has to be kept in isolation and prevented from escaping or injuring someone.
Since a dog shedding the rabies virus in the saliva will develop clinical signs within days, a 10 day quarantine of the dog will be observed. A dog that is normal or healthy after 10 days is not considered contagious at the time of the bite.
Can I catch rabies?
Yes, the disease is zoonotic (can be transmitted from an animal to humans). It is only transmitted by the bite of a rabid animal. The virus is present in the saliva of the infected animal only for a limited time.
"If any animal that may be suspicious for rabies bites you, immediately wash and flush the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek immediate medical assistance"
