Rabies is a very contagious viral disease that affects all mammals, although some are more resistant to the disease than others. Because rabies is so contagious--and so deadly--rabies vaccinations for dogs are a legal requirement in the United States. Rabies in dogs is almost always fatal, and rabies in puppies has an even greater fatality rate, so recognizing rabies symptoms in puppies, especially if your puppy has not been vaccinated, is critical.
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What Is Rabies?
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Rabies in dogs is spread through saliva and affects the central nervous system, leading to brain inflammation, brain paralysis and death. Rabies symptoms in puppies and adult dogs appear in three phases: the prodromal phase, the furious phase and the paralytic phase.
The incubation period can last anywhere from several weeks to several months, during which time infected dogs do not show any symptoms. Adult dogs have a 50 percent chance of surviving rabies if they contract it, but for puppies, this survival rate drops to 20 percent. Even if your dog or puppy does survive, he will likely be neurologically and otherwise impaired.
The Prodromal Phase
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This first phase, the prodromal phase, lasts about a week. Rabies symptoms in puppies and adult dogs in this phase are similar to the flu and include fever, nausea, vomiting, discharge from the eyes, loss of appetite and behavior changes.
These symptoms often go undetected or are mistaken for symptoms of other illnesses, which is why it is important not to self diagnose when it comes to the health of your pet and take them to vet at the first sign of illness.
The Furious Phase
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The furious or "mad dog" phase lasts approximately two to four days and involves seizures, aggression and other symptoms of erratic behavior. This is when an infected animal shows the "classic" signs of rabies, i.e. foaming at the mouth, viciousness and inability to recognize familiar people. It is also during this stage that infected dogs and puppies are also the most likely to attack other animals and humans.
The Paralytic Phase
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The final stage of the disease, the paralytic phase, lasts for two to four days. The symptoms of this stage include paralysis of the jaw, throat and chewing muscles; seizures; confusion; and, ultimately, death.
Protect Your Pet And Yourself
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Rabies in humans, due in part to stringent pet vaccination requirements, is rare. Once rabies symptoms in puppies start to appear, the chances of survival are very slim. There are several things you can do to protect your puppy from contracting rabies, however.
First and most importantly, have your puppy vaccinated against rabies when it is 13 weeks old, once it is 1 year old, and as often as your veterinarian recommends after that. You should also always supervise your puppy closely at all times, particularly when it is outdoors.
Rabies vaccination laws vary by state and also by county in some cases. Nevertheless, it is important to take steps to protect yourself and your dog. Knowing the symptoms of rabies in puppies and dogs is important for any pet owner.
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