24 Jul Everything about canine Rabies; Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention! (Part 2)

In the first part, we explained rabies, one of the most dangerous viral diseases in mammals. The disease can cause severe behavioural changes, gradual paralysis, and eventually painful death and occurs in dogs in two forms, angry and silent rabies. We also described the signs and side effects of each separately. Symptoms of rabies in dogs last from a few days to 6 months. But the speed of the spread of the disease depends on the dog’s immune system, previous infection, type and severity of the bite. In this section, we will explain the treatment, vaccine and ways to prevent rabies.

Treatment of rabies in dogs

Unfortunately, no one has yet found a cure for canine rabies, and all infected dogs eventually die. So, it’s essential to use preventative measures to protect your dog and yourself from this deadly and dangerous virus.

Dog rabies vaccine

Vaccination is one of the most important and influential ways to prevent rabies. Fortunately, rabies vaccines for dogs are available in all countries, and you can vaccinate your dog against this disease. The rabies vaccine is one of the essential vaccines for dogs from the age of 4 months with multiple vaccines. 

The rabies vaccine is very effective and protects the dog against the disease. But it would be best if you gave it before infection. Do not forget that a dog with rabies can spread the disease long before it has any symptoms. So take the dog vaccination seriously and get all the vaccinations according to a precise and complete schedule.

Other methods of prevention

Avoid any contact with wild animals (whether alive or dead). Many wild animals can carry the virus and transmit the disease for up to two weeks before they have the slightest symptoms. The virus can survive and be transmitted even for some time after the animal dies.

If you come across stray dogs or wild animals, don’t provoke them and leave immediately. Avoid dog contact with wild animals and stray dogs. If you go to nature, forest, etc., with your dog, be sure to tie a collar around him and let him roam freely in nature without your supervision. Also, if you live on the outskirts of the city or in the countryside, leave your garbage in closed containers to attract the attention of wild animals and stray dogs.

How can the canine rabies virus be transmitted to humans?

Rabies can be transmitted to humans through bites or open wound contact with infected rabbit dog saliva. Every year, between 30,000 and 60,000 people go to the hospital for animal bites suspected of having rabies and receive preventive treatment. Of course, feeding, caressing and licking healthy skin can’t transmit the virus to you.

What should I do if a dog or wild animal bites me?

The rabies virus enters the human nervous system a few days after being bitten. If vaccinated before the virus enters the spinal cord and nerves, it can prevent the disease. If a dog or wild animal bites you, be sure to go to a hospital (or central health center) for treatment because dogs and other animals may be carriers of the rabies virus before symptoms appear. Therefore, you may consider it rabies in the case of all bites, and you need to go to the hospital immediately.

Before going to the hospital, please do the following: First, immediately take the bite site under the tap and wash it well with soap for up to 10 minutes. If it’s the hand or foot area, cover the top generously with a cloth or elastic device to allow less blood flow. Then rush to the health center.

For treatment, doctors may inject doses of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) into the person in 4 doses (the first dose at the time of referral and the following three doses on days 3, 7 and 14). The probability of human mortality due to rabies is low due to timely and early hospitalization. But It shouldn’t cause you to neglect your dog vaccination and not take it seriously. 

In this article, we talked about rabies in dogs, its symptoms and prevention methods. By getting timely and complete vaccinations for your dog, you can protect your dog from many deadly diseases. Poor hygiene and lack of regular grooming cause most of these diseases. Mishka’s specialized team, with an experienced and professional team, provides you with the best and most proper grooming so that you can enjoy being with your beautiful dogs more than before.