High Rabies Incidence in Dogs: A Concerning Public Heal

Understanding the Symptoms of Rabies

Rabies is primarily categorized into two types: the furious type and the paralytic type. The symptoms during the paralytic phase of both types are quite similar.

Furious Type: This type is characterized by three distinct stages: the prodromal stage, the excitement stage, and the paralytic stage.

1. Prodromal Stage: During this initial phase, the dog may exhibit moodiness, dullness in response, ignoring the owner's commands, aversion to light, difficulty swallowing, excessive drooling, weakness in the hind legs, and dilated pupils. These symptoms can last for one to two days.

2. Excitement Stage: The dog's temperament becomes extremely aggressive and restless, leading to attacks on humans and other animals or selfmutilation by continuously biting its limbs and buttocks. The dog may also show confusion, squinting eyes, and a sullen, tired demeanor after a fit of rage. However, once its energy recovers slightly, any external stimulus can trigger another bout of madness. When such a dog leaves home, it may no longer recognize it, barking aggressively at humans and animals, showing a paralyzed lower jaw and excessive drooling.

3. Paralytic Stage: The symptoms during this stage are identical to those in the furious paralytic stage, ultimately leading to death due to paralysis and failure of the central nervous system.

It is important to note that dogs infected with the rabies virus do not appear different from healthy dogs before the disease manifests. However, once the disease takes hold, dogs may vomit. During an outbreak, dogs may involuntarily and irregularly regurgitate white foam, accompanied by疯neurological symptoms such as incessant barking, aimless running, biting, and attacking humans and animals, and hydrophobia. In such cases, it is crucial to act promptly and humanely by humane euthanasia to prevent accidental injuries and the spread of the disease. To eliminate the rabid dog, it should be deeply buried and the environment disinfected.

Dr. Oxygen Pet's Friendly Tip: Click on "How to Tell If a Dog Has Rabies" to learn about the diagnostic methods for rabies in dogs.