Rabies is a severe viral disease affecting the nervous system of mammals, including dogs. It causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, which is almost always fatal once clinical signs appear. Recognizing the changes in a dog that has contracted rabies is important for both animal well-being and public safety. The disease progresses through distinct stages, each presenting different observable characteristics.
Subtle Initial Changes
The earliest indicators of rabies in dogs, known as the prodromal stage, involve subtle behavioral shifts. A dog’s personality may change; a friendly animal might become withdrawn or shy, while a reserved dog could become unexpectedly affectionate. Behavioral changes also include increased anxiety or restlessness.
Physical signs during this initial phase, lasting two to three days, include fever, decreased energy, and reduced appetite. Some dogs show hypersensitivity to light, sound, or touch. They may also excessively lick or bite the infection site, even if the wound is no longer visible.
Aggressive Behavior and Physical Signs
As the disease advances, dogs often enter the furious stage, characterized by overt behavioral changes. Animals in this phase become irritable and aggressive, attacking without provocation or snapping at imaginary objects. They may exhibit disorientation, aimless wandering, or unusual excitement.
Physical signs include heightened sensitivity to sound and light. Excessive drooling or a “foaming at the mouth” appearance is a notable sign, occurring because the virus affects throat muscles, making swallowing difficult. This muscle impairment, not increased saliva production, causes saliva to accumulate. These behaviors result from the virus’s impact on the central nervous system.
Paralysis and Other Physical Deterioration
Following the furious stage, or sometimes instead of it, dogs may enter the paralytic or “dumb” stage of rabies. This phase involves progressive muscle weakness and paralysis, often beginning in the jaw and throat. A common indication is a “dropped jaw” appearance due to muscle control loss, which also leads to continued drooling and difficulty swallowing.
Vocalization changes, with the dog developing a hoarse bark or becoming unable to make sounds. Paralysis then spreads to the limbs, causing incoordination, staggering, and eventual loss of movement. The dog may become comatose before succumbing to the disease, typically within a few days to a week after symptoms appear.
The Importance of Early Recognition
Understanding rabies signs is important for public health, as the disease is zoonotic, meaning it can transmit from animals to humans. Once clinical symptoms appear in animals or humans, the disease is almost always fatal. Prompt recognition of these signs in a dog allows for action to prevent further spread.
Any dog displaying behaviors or physical symptoms consistent with rabies should not be approached. Instead, local animal control or public health authorities should be contacted immediately. This allows professionals to safely manage the situation, protecting people and other animals from this infection.