{"id":4777,"date":"2024-10-17T10:01:15","date_gmt":"2024-10-17T10:01:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/?p=4777"},"modified":"2025-11-01T05:02:48","modified_gmt":"2025-11-01T05:02:48","slug":"rabies-in-dogs-everything-you-should-know-about-rabies-prevention-and-transmission","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/pet-parents\/rabies-in-dogs-everything-you-should-know-about-rabies-prevention-and-transmission\/","title":{"rendered":"Rabies in Dogs: Everything You Should Know About How Rabies Spreads and Its Prevention"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rabies is a deadly viral infection that can be passed through the bite of an infected animal (saliva to blood or mucous membrane contact). In India, the most common cause of rabies is bites from unvaccinated stray dogs. 96% of the rabies cases<\/a> among humans are caused by the bite of unvaccinated and infected dogs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The rabies virus enters the wounded tissue through the bite along with the saliva of the rabid animal. The virus migrates from the injured tissue to nearby nerves, and through the nerves to the spinal cord to the brain. Once the virus is in the brain, it travels via the nerves to the salivary glands. Hence, an infected animal can secrete the virus with their saliva and cause infection through bites.<\/span><\/p>\n

Which Animals Commonly Carry Rabies in India?<\/span><\/h2>\n

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While bats, skunks and raccoons are the most common sources of rabies in the US, dogs, foxes, jackals, mongooses, monkeys and bats are the most common sources of rabies infection in India.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why is Rabies such a Serious Issue?<\/span><\/h2>\n

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Once the signs and symptoms of rabies begin showing there is no cure. There is no \u201ctest\u201d for rabies. The only conclusive test for rabies is a biopsy of the brain tissue that can be done only after the death of the concerned animal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hence, we always emphasise on the prevention of rabies which involves a single injection per year for most dogs and cats. Rabies is 100% preventable through timely vaccinations<\/a>. These pre-exposure antirabies vaccines are available free of cost for all humans at government hospitals and primary health clinics.<\/span><\/p>\n

Similarly, you should get your dog or cat vaccinated before they are 16 weeks of age or ASAP to prevent any risk of rabies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Signs of Rabies in Dogs<\/span><\/h2>\n

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It is important to remember that once the signs of rabies in dogs<\/a> begins it is impossible to save them or find a cure.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Nonetheless, you should learn the signs and symptoms of rabies so you can safeguard yourself and your pet from a suspected rabid animal.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rabies can be difficult to diagnose or detect just from the signs and symptoms, since not all dogs or wildlife show the furious form of the disease. Some animals can show signs of dumb or the paralytic form of rabies.<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

More common signs of rabies in dogs and other animals –<\/span><\/p>\n