Rabies is the reason thousands of dogs die every year. Once rabies symptoms in dogs start showing, it is almost always fatal. It is one of the most feared diseases in dogs, as it is deadly and highly likely to spread to humans.

Being a dog owner, understanding rabies is not only important for your dog’s health but your family’s health too. Early detection of rabies in dogs, prevention, and prompt action are highly important if you are serious about your dog’s life and yours too.

Let’s dive into it a bit deeper:

Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the central nervous systems of mammals, including dogs and humans. It is almost and always fatal once symptoms of rabies start showing. But prevention of its spread is possible with vaccination.

Prevention should be your top priority when it comes to rabies.

If you’re wondering how you can keep your dog safe from rabies, then how it spreads is very important.

Here is how rabies spreads to dogs or humans:

• Bites : These are the most common methods. When an animal infected with rabies bites your dog, or you then rabies can start spreading.

• Saliva : If your dog has open wounds or mucous membranes and if that spot gets exposed to the saliva of a rabid animal, then it can transmit the virus.

• Wild Animals : Some common carriers of rabies are wild animals like bats, raccoons, foxes, and skunks.

Rabies is a zoonotic disease, which means it can spread fast from animals to humans which makes it difficult to control and contain.

However, it is preventable with vaccines, but unvaccinated dogs like stray dogs are at a higher risk due to lack of vaccination and frequent exposure to other animals.

As you now know how rabies spreads in dogs, it was also very important to know the early signs and symptoms of rabies.

Early signs can help you get the best possible care for your dog and prevent it from doing further damage to your dog and your family.

Let’s know in detail about these early signs and symptoms:

When your dog is exposed to the rabies virus here are the behavioral changes you might notice:

• Sudden aggression or restlessness.

• Shyness or fearfulness, even towards familiar people or animals.

• Hyperactivity or unusual barking and growling.

This can happen because the virus directly affects the brain of your dog. This leads to major behavioral changes. 

Identifying the behavior is not enough sometimes. That’s why you need to look for physical symptoms too.

Here are the symptoms you can look for:

• Drooling or foaming at the mouth: Your dog might start drooling due to difficulty swallowing.

• Paralysis: Weakness in the legs or other parts of the body is another common sign that can lead to paralysis.

• Seizures: Your dog may experience episodes of convulsions or uncontrollable muscle movements.

• Difficulty breathing : The virus can affect the nervous system of your dog, leading to difficulty in breathing. 

After the behavioral and physical symptoms, the best way to rule out rabies is by looking for the clinical signs.

Below are the most common clinical signs of rabies in dogs:

• Elevated fever.

• Noticeable weight loss due to loss of appetite.

• Disorientation or inability to recognize surroundings.

Identifying clinical signs early can help isolate the dog and protect others. However, treatment options are limited once symptoms develop.

It is highly advised you visit a veterinarian as soon as possible once you spot any of these signs.

Given below are the different types of testing methods for identifying rabies in dogs:

1. Saliva tests: These tests detect the virus in the early stages. But it is not always reliable.

2. Blood tests: This is another testing method. But it majorly works at the later stages.

3. Post-mortem brain analysis: This is the only definitive test for rabies but it is conducted after death to find out the virus in the brain.

You saw the behavioral changes your dog is exhibiting.

You’re seeing the physical changes too.

You also went to the vet.

But to take a secondary opinion and to be 100% sure you also got the confirmation done from a clinical test, and you find out your dog has rabies.

We know it is hard.

But prevention is better than cure. If you don’t take an active part in preventing its spread, you or someone from your family can be the next victim of rabies.

That’s why, when you find out that your dog has rabies, you need to:

• Isolate the dog immediately.

• Contact a veterinarian or animal control for professional help.

• Avoid direct contact with your dog to prevent exposure.

This disease has an incubation period which can vary widely depending on factors such as:

• The location of the bite.

• Amount of the virus introduced.

• Your dog’s overall health and immunity.

On average, the symptoms of rabies can appear anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months after its exposure.

Bites of rabies-infected animals closer to the head or neck typically lead to faster spread of the virus as it surpasses the blood-brain barrier quickly.

Rabies symptoms in your dog progresses through three stages, each with unique symptoms:

1. Prodromal Stage (Duration: 2–3 Days)

• Symptoms:

  • Behavioral changes: anxiety, restlessness, or shyness.

  • Physical signs: fever or loss of appetite.

• Action Steps:

  • Monitor your dog closely for behavioral shifts.

  • Seek veterinary advice immediately if these signs are observed.

2. Furious Stage (Duration: 1–7 Days)

• Symptoms:

  • Aggression and erratic behavior.

  • Excessive drooling and hypersensitivity to light or sound.

  • Attacks on objects, animals, or people.

• Action Steps:

  • Avoid close contact to ensure safety.

  • Report symptoms to a veterinarian or animal control authority immediately.

3. Paralytic Stage (Duration: 2–4 Days)

• Symptoms:

  • Muscle paralysis, especially in the throat and jaw, causes difficulty swallowing and foaming at the mouth.

  • Respiratory failure leads to eventual death.

• Action Steps:

  • Ensure the dog is isolated to prevent exposure to other animals or people.

  • Consult with a veterinarian for final assessment and necessary measures.

Once symptoms appear, rabies progresses rapidly, and death usually occurs within 7–10 days. There is no cure at this stage, making early prevention very important.

Dogs are most at risk when they come into contact with rabid animals.

Minimize exposure by:

1. Keeping Dogs Supervised Outdoors
Never let your dog roam unsupervised, especially in areas where wildlife is common. Close supervision minimizes the chance of encounters with potentially rabid animals.

2. Sealing Off Entry Points to Your Home
Secure your yard and home to prevent wildlife like bats, raccoons, or stray animals from entering. Proper fencing and sealing gaps can significantly reduce the risk of exposure.

3. Recognize Rabid Behavior in Wild Animals
Watch for unusual behaviors in wildlife, such as excessive friendliness, aggression, or disorientation. These could indicate rabies, so steer clear and keep your dog away.

4. Train and Leash Your Dog
Teach your dog to avoid approaching unknown animals and reinforce this behavior during walks. Always use a leash in public spaces to maintain control and reduce risks.

Rabies is a destructive disease, but it’s preventable with the right knowledge and actions. By understanding how rabies spreads, recognizing early symptoms, and taking preventive measures like vaccination and supervision, you can protect your dog and family from this threat.

Prevention is your best defense from rabies. Make sure your dog’s vaccinations are up-to-date, stay alert about their surroundings, and act fast if exposure occurs. With awareness and timely action, you can safeguard your pet and prevent the spread of this disease.

Detecting rabies in dogs requires careful observation of behavioral and physical changes. Early signs include:

• Sudden aggression

• Restlessness, or shyness even toward familiar people.

• Drooling or foaming at the mouth

• Difficulty swallowing, and seizures are common.

As the disease progresses, symptoms worsen with muscle paralysis and respiratory failure.

If you suspect rabies, avoid direct contact with the dog and consult a veterinarian immediately.

The behavior of a dog with rabies varies by stage.

Early stages often involve subtle changes like:

• Increased anxiety

• Unusual aggression, or fearfulness.

As rabies progresses, dogs may become hypersensitive to stimuli like light and sound, displaying aggressive behaviors, including biting or attacking objects, animals, or people.

No, rabies is almost always deadly once symptoms appear, as there is no cure at this stage. Prevention through timely vaccination is the only way to protect your dog. If a vaccinated dog is exposed, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can stop the virus from developing. Immediate veterinary care is critical in such cases.

No, rabid dogs often cannot drink water due to throat paralysis, leading to hydrophobia. This is a hallmark symptom of the disease during its advanced stages.