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Rabies is a fatal zoonotic disease (meaning it can be transmitted to humans) that can affect any warm-blooded animal.It's usually passed along through the saliva from the bite of a rabid animal.
The painful death that unvaccinated dogs suffer should be reason enough to make sure you keep all your dogs up-to-date on their rabies shots.
The fact that they can also transmit the disease to the rest of your family, and to other people, should be even more motivation to get them vaccinated.
Rabies Incubation Period
The rabies incubation period varies, depending on where the victim was bitten.That's because the rabies virus attacks the victim's central nervous system. So the closer the bite is located to the head, the sooner symptoms will appear.
In general, symptoms usually develop between 20 and 60 days after exposure.
Using the Dog Rabies Vaccine to Avoid
These Dog Rabies Symptoms
Dogs with rabies seem to develop a manic-depressive personality.
They're irritable one minute and friendly the next.
As they get sicker, they may become aggressive and shy away from being touched.
Later symptoms include frequent urination and attempts to bite or eat foreign objects such as wood and stones.
A dog with rabies usually becomes vicious towards the end.
This is the "furious" form of rabies.
It's the kind traditionally associated with mad dogs.
Sometimes they start foaming at the mouth (because they can't swallow), but not always.
Foaming at the mouth can be due to other illnesses, too, so don't get out your shotgun if your dog gets a case of foamy mouth.
"Dumb Rabies"
There is also a "dumb" form of the rabies disease in which the animal is lethargic, weak in one or more limbs, and is unable to raise his head.He drools a lot, has trouble swallowing, and can't make sounds because his throat and neck muscles are paralyzed.
In both kinds of rabies in dogs, death occurs a few days after symptoms appear, usually from respiratory failure. With such devastating symptoms, it's easy to see why keeping dogs up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations should be every dog owner's priority.
Why Is It Called Hydrophobia?
Strangely enough, though both animal and human rabies victims suffer terribly from thirst, they’re also terrified by the sight of water.That's how hydrophobia, or "fear of water," became another name for the rabies disease.
Using the Dog Rabies Vaccine Around the World
A few countries in the world are considered rabies-free, as there have been no reported cases in recent years.The folks in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the U.K. can consider themselves fortunate to be free of this scourge, mainly due to enforcing the use of rabies shots for dogs. A few other smaller islands can also claim this status.
But with our global economy, a case of imported rabies wouldn’t be impossible.
That's why every country needs strict regulations on importation and quarantine of animals, as well as availability of the dog rabies vaccine where appropriate.
Use the Dog Rabies Vaccine to Avoid Rabies Transmission
The rabies virus can only survive by moving from one warm body to another.It takes advantage of stray dogs and wildlife--usually skunks and raccoons. Bats, foxes, and coyotes are also common carriers.
What To Do If Your Dog Is Bitten
If another dog or a wild animal bites your dog, contact your veterinarian immediately. Regulations vary from state to state concerning quarantine procedures, and your vet will know what to do. It's at times like this that you'll be very thankful you made use of the dog rabies vaccine.What are your dog's chances for survival? Excellent, if he's up-to-date on his rabies vaccinations. After the mandated quarantine period, he'll be back home with you, none the worse for his little adventure.
If he is not current with the dog rabies vaccine, though, his survival chances plummet to zero. Under the watchful eye of medical personnel during his quarantine, if he begins to display any symptoms of rabies, he can be mercifully put to sleep and not have to suffer the agony of full-blown rabies.
Dog Rabies Vaccine Duration
A dog rabies vaccine is currently available that extends the effective duration to three years, but many veterinarians still use the annual vaccine.How often a rabies shot must be administered varies from state to state, and also depends on the type of dog rabies vaccine used. Your veterinarian knows the local vaccination laws, and will make sure your Golden Retriever gets what he needs.
Dog Rabies Vaccine Risks
The overall safety of the rabies vaccine for dogs has been a subject of considerable debate lately. It seems that rabies shots for dogs can sometimes cause an allergic reaction.
This could show up as mysterious bald spots in his coat, or even breathing problems.
I’ve never personally experienced any reactions to the dog rabies vaccine with my dogs, but if your dog develops any strange symptoms after being vaccinated, call your vet immediately.
History of Rabies
The world has been plagued with the rabies disease for thousands of years.It was so widespread in the nineteenth century that the fear of rabies became almost irrational. That's understandable, since virtually every infection with the rabies virus resulted in death.
This hopeless situation continued until Louis Pasteur and Emile Roux developed the first successful rabies vaccine in 1885.
Rabies in the U.S. Today
The compulsory use of the dog rabies vaccine in the U.S. has nearly eliminated the number of reported cases of rabid dogs. That also means fewer people and pets are being infected.But many forms of wildlife are still carriers of the deadly disease.
That's why it's absolutely crucial that you protect your canine clan from contracting rabies through an accidental run-in with a rabid wild animal or stray dog.
Don't Forget Old Yeller
Have you ever read the book Old Yeller or seen the movie of the same name? Thinking about that big, loyal mutt still brings tears to my eyes.They didn't have the dog rabies vaccine back in those days in early America, and that faithful yellow dog gave his life to protect his young master from a rabid animal.
In this day and age, your canine companion doesn't need to be condemned to Old Yeller's fate. Make sure he's vaccinated.
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