Guide To Rabies In Dogs

Symptoms As The Virus Progresses

After the incubation period, the 'typical' rabies symptoms will begin. Rabies has two classifications: furious rabies and paralytic ('dumb') rabies. Each of these has their own symptoms as the virus progresses. Symptoms of furious rabies are the most well known and include aggression, lack of appetite, excitement, and paralysis. Pica, a condition that causes dogs to eat rocks, dirt, and trash, also presents itself when impacted by furious rabies. Death is marked by violent seizures in these types of cases. Furious rabies progresses from the source of infection to the spinal cord, where it travels to the brain and begins to multiply.

Symptoms of paralytic ('dumb') rabies are less well known but more common. With dumb rabies, the body slowly becomes paralyzed. Paralysis begins at the site of infection, from here it slowly spreads throughout the body via the motor nerves, which causes damage to the nerves and further paralysis. Eventually, the affected dog will become completely paralyzed and comatose. After the affected dog has become comatose, death usually occurs within a few hours. Dogs who experience dumb rabies do not act aggressively and usually have a drooping mouth with increased salivation. The rabies virus multiplies in the brain and then moves to the salivary glands, making saliva a potential source of infection for humans who come into contact with it.

Continue reading to learn about the causes and risk factors linked to rabies in dogs next.