Rabies is a deadly infectious disease that infects pets and is transmitted through saliva. Often this disease is called hydrophobia or hydrophobia, since its main symptom is the rejection of water to sick animals. Rabies causes damage to the nervous system, which provokes increased irritability in the pet, as well as paralysis of the respiratory system and limbs. The first signs of a rabid dog can manifest itself even a couple of months after infection, but more often the infection quickly penetrates the brain, because the animals mostly bite each other's neck and head.
Rabies development
The incubation period for rabies lasts approximately two weeks. After the virus enters the body of the animal, it begins to move along the
nerve fibers to the spinal cord and brain, heading towards the salivary glands. When brain cells are
damaged, the virus multiplies very rapidly. As soon as the
first symptoms of rabies appeared, it was no longer possible to save the animal. However, in order to understand what a mad dog looks like, it is necessary to carefully study the forms of this dangerous disease.
Forms of rabies in dogs
Animals can develop several forms of rabies: violent, depressive, atypical, remitting and abortive. Most often, a violent form of the disease occurs, the duration of which is about two weeks. At the first prodromal stage of the disease, the signs of canine rabies are still invisible, however, the animal gradually shows low mobility, as well as ignoring the commands. In this period, rabid dogs may be too affectionate, which should already alert the owner. The second, manic, stage of the disease already undoubtedly indicates infection of the animal. The dog ceases to be afraid of the person, can suddenly attack and bite, after which it will try to run away. As a rule, the animal completely refuses water, it has signs of paralysis of the larynx and lower jaw, as well as
increased salivation. The final paralytic stage lasts several days, while the dog does not drink, does not eat, does not react to what is happening around. She begins convulsive attacks, and develops complete paralysis of the internal organs, after which the animal dies.
Mad dogs with an atypical form of the disease are characterized by severe exhaustion and increased fatigue, they manifest diarrhea and vomiting. This condition can last about six months. In depressive rabies, the animal, as a rule, does not show aggression and even eats normally, but after a few days it develops a cough and limp, followed by paralysis of the organs and larynx. The remitting form of the disease lasts about a week, during which the dog’s condition worsens, then improves. But with an abortive course of the disease, rabid dogs eventually recover, but this form of pathology is so rare that it has not been fully studied.
How to determine rabies in a dog?
If rabies is suspected, the animal should be isolated for several days, during which time it is closely monitored. The disease, as a rule, is diagnosed by symptoms, while no tests for the detection of the virus are prescribed. As soon as the diagnosis is confirmed, rabid dogs should be euthanized, since today there is no cure for this terrible disease.