Rabies in Dogs:
It may be nearly impossible to see signs of the rabies virus before its incubation period of 3-11 weeks. The rabies virus affects the nervous system making symptoms vary between individual dogs.
Symptoms include:
• Sudden and severe behavioral changes (wanting more attention or less attention than normal)
• Paralysis (most commonly jaw and throat muscles producing excess saliva)
• Loss of appetite
• Nervousness
• Irritability
• Seizures
• Loss in muscle coordination
Diagnosis & Treatment:
Because rabies can have such a long incubation period it can be very difficult to diagnosis. If a dog is suspected of having rabies a laboratory test can be performed. Although there is no definitive treatment for the rabies virus and the virus ultimately leads to death, there are vaccines preventing this virus all together.