What is rabies disease?
What is Rabies Disease?
Rabies is a deadly disease that kills thousands of people worldwide every year. You may have heard of people getting infected with the rabies virus, which transmits through the saliva of an infected animal. Dogs, especially, can transfer the rabies virus to another animal or human biting them. There’s also a risk of the virus spreading throughout your body if the saliva gets into an open wound or your eyes and mouth. That’s rare,a though. Humans aren’t the only mammals to contract rabies.
Any animal, including domestic cats and dogs, can catch the virus from an infected animal. Thousands of domestic cats and dogs are diagnosed with rabies in the United States. If you own a pet dog, you may want to know if they are fit and whether their saliva is infected with the rabies virus. They may not bite your family, but there are several ways through which their saliva can transmit to your children, causing a severe infection. That’s where the rabies antigen rapid test kit comes into the picture. The test is done on domestic cats and dogs and can help you detect rabies. We will get to that later. Let’s learn more about this life-threatening virus, how it spreads, treatments, and more.
How Does a Dog Get Infected with Rabies?
You might be aware that dogs spread rabies by biting a human or another animal. The question is, how do they get the rabies virus in the first place? Many animals carry this virus. To name a few — raccoons, skunks, and foxes. With our population growing exponentially, the risk of exposure to this deadly virus increases. Like how a dog can spread rabies to humans, they get it from another warm-blooded animal.
Dogs tend to indulge in fights very often. Getting bit by infected animals increases their risk of catching rabies.
Note that scratching won’t spread rabies. Although the risk is low in humans, the virus can be life-threatening if it reaches your nervous system. The good news is that the virus is preventable. And as the famous saying goes, “prevention is better than cure” you should take preventive measures to keep your family and pets safe from rabies.
Expert veterinarians say that dogs bitten by an infected animal are highly likely to catch rabies. The period in which your dog starts showing symptoms might vary, but most pet owners can’t detect the presence of this virus in their domestic animals until they have them tested. Although many animals are found to have rabies, human transmission is mostly caused by dogs. Experts also believe that the chances of survival for a rabies-infected dog are pretty slim. Only the dogs that have been infected with a very small percentage of the virus (which doesn’t spread throughout their body) might survive.
Note that dogs do not get rabies from other canines, not at least in the United States. Each dog is vaccinated for this virus, leaving only one possibility — they might catch it from another animal. While biting is one of the few ways of transmission, dogs can contract this virus if they have an open wound that comes in contact with the saliva of an infected animal. Likewise, if the saliva gets to the mouth, eyes, or the dog’s nose, the chances they might catch rabies are high.
Whats the Symptoms of Rabies in Dogs?
There is no specific symptom that could indicate rabies infection in your pet, but obvious changes in their behavior might be a sign something is wrong. You need to keep an eye on the dog’s behavior to spot the difference. Take them to a vet immediately if you notice any sudden or unusual change.
Whats the Symptoms of Rabies in Dogs?
There is no specific symptom that could indicate rabies infection in your pet, but obvious changes in their behavior might be a sign something is wrong. You need to keep an eye on the dog’s behavior to spot the difference. Take them to a vet immediately if you notice any sudden or unusual change.
It’s important to note that rabies could be present in your dog’s body for weeks and even months before your dog starts showing the symptoms. Most dogs show symptoms between 21 and 80 days, but this duration could be longer or shorter. The worst part is that most dogs show symptoms when the disease has progressed to a stage that can’t be controlled or treated. So, your best bet is to take your pet to the vet immediately.
What Forms Rabies occurs in?
●Furious rabies: Your dog tends to eat anything, even items that could harm them. They might eat stones, sand, dirt, and whatever they find on the ground until they lose their ability to swallow. At the last stage, the dog might have violent seizures and die eventually.
●Paralytic rabies: Paralytic rabies is characterized by changes in the dog’s facial muscles and difficulty swallowing. If it looks like your dog has got something stuck in their throat or they can’t chew food properly, that’s a warning sign. The dog might go into a coma and die.
If you suspect rabies in your dogs, call a vet or seek help immediately instead of trying anything on your own. Do not force open your dog’s mouth, as it might lead to transmission of the disease.
How to Detect Rabies in Dogs?
You can’t wait for symptoms, as some dogs might not show the signs until the disease has progressed to an advanced stage. You can’t wait for the symptoms to show up, which is why you should either have your dog checked by a vet periodically or conduct a test on your own using a rapid rabies antigen test kit.
Shenungtex provides a rabies test kit. It’s easy to use and shows the most accurate results. Even if your dog shows no sign of rabies, but you have seen them getting bitten by another dog or a wild animal, it’s best to take a test. This test kit is used for detecting the presence of rabies virus in the dog’s saliva.
It’s the easiest way to test if your dog has contracted rabies. The kit remains effective for 24 months following the purchase. Use it following the manual or seek a professional’s help.
What to do if the Results are Positive?
Although it’s rare, there is a chance the results might be invalid or inaccurate. So, it’s always better to consult a vet before taking action. If your dog is diagnosed with rabies or you suspect that they might have contracted the disease, you first must isolate them in a kennel. Don’t let anyone (especially kids or other pets) get closer to the dog until the vet says it’s safe. The vet will tell you what to do next. In most cases, dogs with rabies are transported to assessment facilities to prevent the risk of injury to your family.
Once the dog is taken away from your house, disinfect the entire house, especially the place where the dog used to live or play. Coming in contact with the dog’s saliva can lead to infection, even if it isn’t through biting or scratching. You can use household bleach for sanitizing your house. If you see your cat or dog getting bitten by another animal (whether a dog or a wild animal), take them to a vet and get them vaccinated to prevent the risk of rabies. It’s advisable that you have your dog vaccinated for rabies before adopting them as a pet. Here’s more about the canine vaccination.
