What will happen to the dog if it has rabies and bites a person? - briefly
If a dog with rabies bites a person, the dog will typically be euthanized for public health reasons. The bitten individual should immediately seek medical attention to begin post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) treatment.
What will happen to the dog if it has rabies and bites a person? - in detail
If a dog with rabies bites a person, several critical events are set in motion that affect both the human and the animal involved.
Firstly, for the dog: Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the nervous system of mammals. Once clinical signs appear, the disease is almost always fatal, regardless of treatment. The virus spreads to the brain, leading to behavioral changes such as aggression, disorientation, and excessive drooling. These symptoms eventually progress to paralysis and death within days. Due to the highly infectious nature of rabies, euthanasia is often the only humane option to prevent further transmission. Authorities may quarantine or put down the infected animal to protect public health.
For the person bitten: Rabies in humans is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but prompt medical attention can prevent the onset of the disease. The virus enters the body through the bite wound and travels along the nerves to the brain, where it multiplies and causes inflammation. This journey can take anywhere from a few days to several years, depending on the distance between the bite site and the brain.
Immediately after being bitten by a dog suspected of having rabies, the person should seek medical attention. A healthcare professional will clean the wound thoroughly and administer a series of vaccinations, known as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). The first dose is typically given immediately, followed by additional doses on days 3, 7, and 14. These vaccines stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies that fight off the rabies virus before it reaches the brain.
Additionally, a medicine called human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG) may be administered around the wound site or into a muscle. HRIG provides immediate but temporary protection against rabies by flooding the bite area with pre-formed antibodies that neutralize the virus before it can spread.
In summary, if a dog with rabies bites a person, the dog's fate is often sealed due to the rapid progression and high fatality rate of the disease. Euthanasia is commonly performed to prevent further transmission. For the human victim, prompt medical intervention with vaccinations and HRIG can be life-saving, preventing the onset of rabies symptoms and ultimately saving their life.