How to prevent rabies in dogs is a very important question for pet owners all over the world. Rabies is highly transmissible to humans as well as other animals, so it is critical to know how to prevent it in dogs. If you do not protect your dog from rabies, it could end up causing him/her to pass on the disease to another animal, or possibly even you. Rabies has become more of a problem in the United States lately due to the popularity of dog shows and the increasing popularity of dog breeds in general.
How to prevent rabies in dogs starts with recognizing the signs and symptoms of this potentially fatal illness. Rabies symptoms will generally begin to show between ten and fourteen days after being bitten by an infected mammal. The first four to six days are the most crucial for early detection, because there will be plenty of time for antibodies to build up and develop before any noticeable changes occur in the animal’s behavior. Rabies in dogs generally manifests through four to seven early warning signs, including loss of appetite, fatigue, seizures, and an inability to swallow. These symptoms are often coupled with signs of a general deterioration of the cat’s muscles, eyesight, and skin.
How to prevent rabies in dogs is even more important in humans. Symptoms of this deadly infection in humans can show up anywhere in just a couple of weeks, which is why early detection is critical. If you have any doubts about whether or not you may have been exposed to the rabies virus in the past, you should immediately contact your primary veterinarian. Once you do, it is vital that you undergo tests to confirm whether or not you do, in fact, have the infection. Once the disease has been confirmed, there are several things that you can do to prevent it from spreading to your dog’s or yourself.
Rabies is spread through the bite of an infected mammal. For this reason, the majority of humans who contract rabies do not show any outward signs of infection. However, they may develop the disease within their body within a few days to a week after being bitten by an infected mammal. This can be particularly worrisome for pets, since the disease is spread through the nerves of the animal and into the brain, where it then travels to all of the other organs. Although most humans rarely become infected with rabies transmitted through dog or cat bites, the risks are still present. Since most dogs and cats will not show obvious symptoms of rabies for up to two months after being bitten, it is extremely important to make sure that you know whether or not your pet has been infected with the disease.
Fortunately, there is an effective way for you to determine if your dog or cat has contracted rabies before showing any visible symptoms. One of the most reliable methods for determining if a pet has contracted the disease is to perform a serological test. Because the symptoms for this disease are similar to those of several other diseases that affect the nervous system and muscle functions of humans, the symptoms can very easily be misdiagnosed as signs of another illness.
Rabies serology testing is done using cells from the serum of the dead rabies virus in tissues from the body. Although most cats and dogs will not develop this disease, you can still screen for it by performing a Rabies serology test on a cellular sample of tissue. If the test shows that your pet has been infected with rabies, then you should immediately isolate him until the disease has subsided. Rabies can only be contained in the host’s central nervous system; there is currently no known cure for the disease. Therefore, the fastest way to ensure that your pet does not get the disease is to abstain from rabies bites and contact to any of the animals in your household.
Rabies vaccination is also important. Rabies vaccination clinics offer various forms of rabies vaccinations for pets in the United States. However, Rabies vaccination clinics can only be found in cities with Rabies vaccination programs. For example, there are Rabies clinics located in Columbus, MS, New Orleans and Mobile, AL.
In general, it is best that you take time to seek veterinary advice if your dog may have contracted rabies or if your pet shows early signs of the disease. Rabies vaccination is not expensive and is generally covered by most veterinary insurance plans. If you do not want to wait for an extended period of time, consult your vet about how to prevent rabies in dogs.