Guide To Rabies In Dogs

Diagnosis And Treatment

Unfortunately, there is no test available to determine if a living animal has rabies, and it is diagnosed only after the animal has died, using brain tissue to determine the presence of the virus. Once the clinical symptoms of dumb rabies or furious rabies present themselves, the affected dog will usually pass away within a week. Unlike humans, who can receive a post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) treatment, dogs cannot. The only 'treatment' for dogs is to be euthanized after a known rabies bite or go through a six-month quarantine, at which time a rabies vaccine is administered. Thus, the lack of diagnosis and treatment for dogs poses a huge issue and makes prevention the number one priority for dog owners.

The lack of PEP treatment in dogs has been a frustrating topic in the vet community. The primary reasons for this are due to the fatality rates of the disease, and public human health often takes priority over animal health. Euthanizing a dog who has rabies decreases the risk to the general public. In addition, PEP treatment results have been varied in dogs and, while they show promise, they have not been studied enough to be considered a successful treatment for rabies.

Read about the best prevention tips for rabies in dogs next.