How does rabies show in dogs?
Rabies is a disease triggered by viruses, which ends fatally both for dogs and for other animals and for humans. Fortunately, rabies cases in Germany and the neighbouring countries are rather low nowadays. Nevertheless, the dog owner should always take precautions against rabies infection and have their dog vaccinated regularly. But how is rabies actually transmitted and how does this disease manifest itself in the dog?
Rabies is transmitted through saliva
The rabies viruses generally enter the dog's body through the saliva of an already infected animal via a bite. Mostly rabies is transmitted by wild animals such as foxes and bats, but the dog can also become infected through the bite of another animal that carries the rabies virus. For example, rabies is still very widespread in the countries of South America, Asia and Africa. Illegally imported animals from these countries can sometimes cause a spread of the rabies viruses. In addition, the dog can also become infected with the rabies virus while on holiday abroad.
How is rabies recognised in the dog?
Rabies basically divides into three different stages, whose transitions are, however, not seldom fluid. In the first stage of rabies, a dog becomes very affectionate and constantly seeks contact with its owner, with other people and with its own kind. In the second stage the infected animal shows changed behaviour and becomes increasingly aggressive. A tendency of the dog to bite in combination with heavy salivation is a clear sign of this stage of rabies. In the third and final stage, signs of paralysis set in in the infected dog, which at some point also affect the breathing, and the animal dies within the shortest time of a complete respiratory paralysis.
Treatment and protection
To this day there are no effective treatments for rabies, neither for humans nor for dogs and other pets, and therefore this disease generally ends fatally for human and animal. The only way to protect the dog from rabies is therefore vaccination against the rabies virus, which enables immunity against the pathogen. However, the rabies vaccination must be repeated at regular intervals so that it retains its effect and the dog is permanently immune against the rabies virus.
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The content of the articles is for general information purposes only and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a veterinarian. This information does not constitute medical advice and should not be construed as such.
