Rabies is a virus that can be transmitted by a bite of an infected mammal such as a bat, fox, raccoon or skunk---all known carriers of the rabies virus. After a dog that hasn't been vaccinated against rabies is bitten by an animal carrying the virus, it will show signs of the disease in three phases.
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Prodromal
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This stage will last up to three days. The dog will display slow eye reflexes and behavioral changes, and it may bite at the area that was bitten. A fever is common in this stage.
Furious
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This stage will last up to four days after the prodromal stage has occurred. The dog will have unexplained roaming, attack inanimate objects viciously, show aggression, bark for no reason and become irritable.
Paralytic
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After the furious stage, the dog will show signs of paralysis, which will last about two to four days. This usually starts in the part of the body that was bitten. As the paralysis progresses, there may be a change in the dog's bark and it may foam at the mouth.
Near Death
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The end is near when the dog has gone through the first three stages. After this, the dog will become depressed, lapse into a coma and die from respiratory paralysis.
Warning
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After the dog has started showing the first signs of prodromal, it is too late to try to help it. Keeping the dog vaccinated against rabies is the only safeguard.
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