SHARES
“Rabies is a disease that you should not ignore if you are dog parents.”
What is Rabies and How Can It Affect My Dog?
Rabies is a highly infectious viral disease affecting mammals, including dogs and humans. It is a fatal disease that kills nearly 60,000 people yearly worldwide.
In Asia, the main source of infection is from stray dogs. The virus usually transmits through animal bites, scratches, or saliva coming into contact via mucous membranes or open wounds. Upon transmission to the host, the virus travels to the peripheral nerve, replicates itself, and enters the salivary gland of the new host. Then, the virus gets to spread and infect others through saliva of the infected host.
Rabies Symptoms in Dogs
Generally, symptoms usually show in 2 weeks to 4 months, although it may only appear after 6 months or more.
Prodromal phase: Around 1-3 days after infection, during the early stage of the prodromal phase, your dog will show changes in temperament. For instance, quiet dogs become restless and agitated; whereas active dogs become shy and nervous.
Following the prodromal phase, most dogs would then progress to either the furious stage or paralytic stage, or a combination of the two forms of rabies.
Furious stage: Here, your dog show extreme behavioural changes, including aggression and offensive behaviour. Also, it may display depraved appetite, eat and chew on stones and rubbish. Paralysis eventually sets in and the dog is unable to eat or drink and may eventually die in violent seizures.
Paralytic stage : This is the more common form following prodromal phase, namely the paralytic rabies, or dumb rabies stage. During this stage, there is progressive paralysis of limbs, distortion of the face, and difficulty in swallowing. You might think that your dog has something stuck in throat or mouth. In the end, the dog will eventually become comatose and die.
Photo by mmmao from Flickr
Diagnosis
If you suspect your dog has encountered rabid animals, call and take it to your veterinarian immediately for quarantine. If your dog is trying to attack or go out of control, contact animal control handlers to catch the dog for you.
In the situation where your dog is up to date with vaccinations, it will be given an additional dose of vaccine and quarantined. If your dog is not up to date with the vaccination or had bitten humans, mandatory quarantine is usually necessary, depending on the local laws.
Prevention
Vaccination is very safe and effective in preventing rabies infection. All dogs should receive vaccine between 12-16 weeks old. Ensure that your dog’s vaccination is up-to-date. Booster vaccines are available and the frequency is dependent on your law of your country’s law. You should seek advice from your local veterinarian.
You should also minimise the chances of your pet being in contact with wildlife. Supervise or keep them on leashes outdoors.
Treatment
Unfortunately, there are no effective treatment for dogs with rabies infection. If there is high suspicion of the infection, isolation of the rabid animal is the best way to prevent further spread of disease.
Can I Catch Rabies?
Yes, the disease can spread from animals to humans. It is important to know that the virus can spread through infectious saliva, usually via a bite from rabid animals. An infected animal can only transmit the virus after the onset of clinical signs.
If you are bitten by a dog which is suspected of being infected, immediately clean the wound and flush with soap and water. Make sure to seek medical attention immediately. Your doctor will give you a rabies antibody injection promptly to protect you against the virus, and follow up with a series of vaccines if you have not received vaccination before.
Photo by piisy from Flickr
Conclusion
Rabies is a fatal disease for both you and your beloved dog. The best way to prevent it is to vaccinate your dog.
References:
1. Rabies in dogs [Internet]. WebMD LLC. 2020 [Available from: https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/rabies-dogs#1; last accessed on 2020 Aug 22]
2. Schaible L. Dog rabies: symptoms, transmission to human & vaccinations [Internet]. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. 2019 [Available from: https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/healthcare/dog-rabies-symptoms-and-vaccines; last updated on 2019 Nov 5; last accessed on 2020 Aug 22]
Find a GP/Family Doctor in Malaysia, on GetDoc
Find a GP/Family Doctor in Singapore, on GetDoc
by Chang Xian
View all articles by Chang Xian.
