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How can dogs get Rabies? 3 Causes and Treatment

Rabies is a deadly virus that may affect all mammals. There is no cure discovered for the virus. Only prevention and the timely vaccine can help to protect dogs from the virus. So how can dogs get rabies?

In the article, we will let you know all the possible aspects of Rabies in dogs. Use the table of content for smooth navigation. 

How can dogs get Rabies?

Mammals suffering from rabies contain a large amount of the virus in the saliva. Rabies in dogs is spread by many means. Below are some of the common known causes through which dogs can catch rabbis.

  • The Virus can be passed to dogs through a bite from an infected animal or dog.
  • It can also be spread when rabies saliva comes in contact with open wounds or scratches.
  • Some cases report but not confirmed that the virus could also be passed with infected food and water.

Rabies, the deadly virus, is a life-threatening disease in dogs. The disease can be easily spread from mammals to dogs and dogs to humans. Even vaccinated dogs risk of catching the virus. Only proper prevention can protect your canines from this deadly virus.

girl vet

Symptoms of Rabies in dogs:

A dog infected with rabies can develop the below sign and symptoms. The infected pet might have two stages of symptoms initial symptoms and Severe Symptoms.

Initial symptoms of dogs infected with Rabies:

What are the first symptoms of rabies in dogs?

  • Extreme behavioral changes
  • Restlessness or Apprehension
  • Continually licking, biting, and chewing
  • Bite or snap at any form of stimulus
  • Suffering from fever

Severe Symptoms of dogs infected with Rabies:

  • Hypersensitive to touch, light and sound.
  • Extreme or irrational fear of water
  • Hydrophobia
  • Loss of appetite
  • Excessive Drooling
  • Weakness and Seizures
  • Disorientation, incoordination, and staggering
  • Hiding in the dark.
  • An excessive amount of saliva foaming secretion.
  • Paralysis of the throat and jaw muscles

How to prevent dogs from Rabies?

How to prevent dogs from Rabies

As with humans, Proper and timely vaccination is considered a shield against life in treating illnesses.

  • Before adopting or buying a faithful companion must confirm the vaccination schedule.
  • Contact your veterinarian for the right Rabies vaccination schedule for your dog.
  • Rabies Vaccination not only protects your dogs but also protects other pets from the virus if your dogs bite.
  • Avoiding contact with wild animals and mammals suffering from rabies is most important for prevention.
  • Take your dog outdoor with a leash so it will be easy to supervise and protect.

Treatment of rabies in dogs:

Tell now. There is no treatment or cure for rabies. Once the dog is infected with the virus and symptoms appear, it’s our responsibility to protect our animals and humans from this deadly virus and isolate your canine.

Don’t try to be attached to your infected dogs. You can contact your local rabies control center to overcome the problem.

Rabies Vaccination chart for dog:

Ist Shot14 weeks of age
2nd Shot1 year of age
Re-VaccinationEvery 1 to 3 Years

How do animals get Rabies?

When an infected animal bites an animal or virus comes in contact with the open wounds. The rabies virus enters the body of the animal from the infected saliva.

Once the rabies virus transfers to the pet body, it travels through the nerves to the spinal cord and brain. This process can take 3 to 12 weeks.

When the rabies virus reaches the brain, it multiplies rapidly and passes to the salivary glands. 

The illness sign and symptoms begin animal.

When the symptoms begin, dogs and pets usually die within 7 to 10 days.

Can a dog get rabies without being bitten?

Yes, dogs can get rabies without being bitten when the wound and scratches contact the virus. No doubt, the main cause of rabies transmission is a bite of the infected animal. But the virus can also be passed when the virus or infected saliva comes in contact with open wounds and scratches of the pet body. 

Can a dog get rabies from eating something?

No, and yes. The answer is a little tricky. The main cause of the virus in animals is a bite or virus contact with scratches and wounds. So a dog can not get rabies from eating something. But if dogs eat infected animals or infected food, then? Yes, there is a chance of your canine infected with rabies.

If the virus enters your dog’s mouth in the form of food and possibly no one knows if your dog mouth has some time of wounds, inflammation, and injuries, then your pup will be at risk from rabies. 

How long can a dog live with rabies?

When the symptoms begin, dogs and pets usually die within 7 to 10 days. Once the rabies virus transfers to the pet body, it travels through the nerves to the spinal cord and brain.

This process can take 3 to 12 weeks, and in this period, the animal has no signs and symptoms. The duration between the bite and the appearance of symptoms is called the incubation period, which can develop in weeks to months.

After the sign and symptoms develop the infected dogs and pets usually dies within 7 to 10 days.

Can a vaccinated dog get Rabies?

Rabies Vaccine

NO, and Yes. A proper up-to-date, and quality vaccinated dog has no risk of infected with rabies. However, there are some cases reported in which some pets are infected even after vaccinated.

According to pet experts and vets, the cases will cause not completing the vaccine schedule. So to prevent your canine from the virus, you need to complete the schedule and keep them up to date.

Can a dog get rabies from drinking water?

Can dogs get rabies from drinking water? The main cause of spreading the rabies virus is a bite or virus contact with wounds and scratches. The rabies virus can survive for a very little time, about two hours. But it will last long enough to possibly infect another animal.

The chance of dogs getting rabies is almost nil. However, there are some possibilities. If your dogs drink the infected water and the virus is still survive, your dogs might suffer from the illness. So this is best to protect your dog from drinking the infected water.

Common carrier of Rabies:

  • Raccoons
  • Bats
  • Raccoons
  • Skunks
  • Coyotes
  • Foxes
  • Cats
  • Squirrels
  • Chipmunks
  • Rats and Mice
  • Hamsters
  • Gerbils
  • Guinea pigs
  • Rabbits

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