How does rabies infection occur in dogs? - briefly
Rabies in dogs typically occurs through exposure to the saliva of an infected animal, often via a bite or scratch. The virus then travels along the nerves to the brain, where it multiplies and causes symptoms such as aggression, disorientation, and paralysis.
How does rabies infection occur in dogs? - in detail
Rabies is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects mammals, including dogs. The infection occurs when the rabies virus enters the body and travels along the nerves to the brain. Here's a detailed breakdown of how rabies infection occurs in dogs:
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Virus Transmission: Rabies is typically transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected animal. In the case of dogs, this often means being bitten by another rabid dog or a wild animal like a raccoon, skunk, fox, or bat that carries the virus. The virus is present in the saliva of infected animals and is released when they bite or scratch.
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Virus Entry: Once the rabies virus enters the body through a break in the skin, it begins to replicate. This initial replication usually occurs in the muscles at the site of the wound before moving into the nervous system.
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Neural Spread: The rabies virus is neurotropic, meaning it has an affinity for nerve tissue. It travels along the nerves towards the central nervous system (CNS), specifically the brain and spinal cord. This journey can take anywhere from a few days to several months, depending on the distance between the entry site and the CNS.
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Incubation Period: The time between infection and the onset of clinical signs is called the incubation period. In dogs, this period can range from 10 days to 6 months, with an average of about 3 weeks. During this time, the virus multiplies within nerve cells and spreads throughout the nervous system.
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Clinical Signs: Once the virus reaches the brain, clinical signs of rabies begin to appear. These include changes in behavior such as aggression or excessive friendliness, restlessness, disorientation, paralysis, seizures, and excessive drooling or frothing at the mouth due to an inability to swallow. The disease progresses rapidly, and once clinical signs appear, death usually occurs within 10 days.
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Virus Shedding: During the late incubation period and the clinical stage of the disease, the virus is shed in the saliva of infected dogs. This makes them highly infectious to other animals and potentially to humans as well.
Prevention through vaccination is crucial, as there is no cure for rabies once clinical signs appear. Regular vaccinations and prompt treatment after a suspected exposure are essential for protecting both dogs and public health.