- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Rabies is a virus that lives in the saliva of dogs and other infected animals and targets the nervous system. The virus most often enters the body through bites and scratches, but it can also enter through the eyes, nose, or mouth.
In unvaccinated pets and people, rabies is almost always fatal. There’s no cure, and only a small handful of people have survived it. Vets will almost always humanely euthanize unvaccinated pets infected with the rabies virus.
Although the rabies virus is very serious, it’s also very preventable. All you have to do is keep up with your dog’s vaccinations!
“In the U.S., canine rabies cases have become extremely rare thanks to widespread vaccination efforts,” says Dr. Jamie Richardson, Head of Veterinary Medicine at Small Door Vet. She’s had just one case of rabies in her entire career, and that was 15 years ago.
“The rabies vaccine is one of the most successful public health tools in veterinary medicine, and it’s played a huge role in nearly eliminating the virus from the domestic dog population here.”
Read on to learn more about how rabies, including symptoms, how it spreads, and how to prevent it.
Signs of Rabies in Dogs
“If your dog is bitten or scratched by wildlife, they must see a vet immediately,” Dr. Richardson says. “Do not wait for signs or symptoms to present themselves, as it will be too late to save your dog.”
When signs of rabies appear, this means the virus has reached the nervous system and is causing irreversible damage.
Early symptoms (prodromal stage)
Rabies in dogs can have a long incubation period, anywhere from 10 days to a full year, Dr. Richardson says. This means your dog could carry the virus without showing any symptoms for months.
“The time it takes for the symptoms to appear can vary depending on the severity of the bite, the amount of the virus injected, and the location of the infection,” Dr. Richardson says.
On average, symptoms tend to show up between 3 and 8 weeks after exposure. Symptoms may appear sooner:
- When the bite or infection site is closer to the brain and spinal cord
- In dogs with existing medical conditions or a compromised immune system
Once the early symptoms appear, they may last for several days.
“These signs can appear subtle at first and may be mistaken for other health issues,” says Dr. David Israel, Medical Director at Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) Denver.
Early symptoms of rabies include:
- Changes in personality or behavior, including agitation, anxiety, or fear
- Withdrawal from people and other animals
- Excessive licking or chewing at the bite site
- Sensitivity to light, sound, or touch
- Fever
- Changes in the tone of their bark or other vocalizations
If you notice any of these signs or think your dog has been scratched or bitten by another animal, avoid direct contact and call your vet or local animal control immediately.
“Do not try to handle the dog yourself, especially if they’re acting unpredictably,” Dr. Richardson says. Dogs showing signs of rabies could infect other animals and people.
Even normally friendly pets can become aggressive when infected, adds Dr. Israel, who adds that rabies can dramatically change a dog’s behavior.
Later symptoms (furious stage)
This stage, also called mad-dog syndrome, typically lasts 1 to 7 days and is the most dangerous. During this time, the virus actively attacks the central nervous system, leading to severe behavior changes.
Even dogs with no past history of aggression may become unusually nervous or even vicious. Bites and attacks most often happen at this stage.
Symptoms include:
- Restlessness and irritability
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Dilated pupils
- Attacking inanimate objects, animals, and people
- Excessive drooling
- Disorientation
- Seizures
Later Symptoms (paralytic stage)
Once a dog reaches this stage, death typically follows within a few hours. A rabid dog can still bite at this stage. Bites most commonly happen when a caregiver attempts to examine the dog’s mouth.
Symptoms include:
- Paralysis of the throat and jaw muscles
- Excessive drooling
- Inability to swallow
- Drooping lower jaw
How Do Dogs Get Rabies?
Rabies is a neurotropic zoonotic virus. Neurotropic means it targets the nervous system, and zoonotic means it can spread between animals and humans.
You’ve probably heard that dogs—and people—get rabies from animal bites, and that’s true. The virus lives in saliva and most often spreads through bites. Wild animals most likely to carry the virus include raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats.
Rabies doesn’t just spread through bites, though. People and pets can get rabies if infected saliva enters a scratch, open cut, the eyes, the nose, or the mouth.
Vaccinating your dog against rabies is the best way to keep them safe. It’s also important to avoid direct contact with wild animals, or pets who may have been bitten by a wild animal.
Which States Have The Most Rabies Cases?
The states with the most rabies cases include:
- Texas
- Virginia
- Pennsylvania
- New York
- North Carolina
- California
A majority of those cases are wild animals. Thanks to the rabies vaccine, very few cases are dogs, and even fewer are people. The CDC’s latest rabies report showed only 50 rabies cases in dogs across the U.S.
“Certain regions, like the Northeast and parts of the South, tend to report more cases because these animals (raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats) are more common and often come into contact with people or pets,” Dr. Richardson says.
What To Do if You Suspect Rabies
If your dog has come in contact with a wild animal or been bitten by another dog, contact your vet right away. If a pet bit your dog, ask the pet parent for proof their dog or cat is up to date on their rabies vaccine. Your vet will help assess the risk and determine the next steps, which might include a booster shot and observation.
How to help your dog
- Keep your dog calm and do not touch the wound.
- Use gloves if you need to examine the wound or your dog.
- Call your vet right away and follow their advice. Your dog may need a booster shot and a quarantine period for monitoring, depending on their vaccination status.
Getting help after a dog bite
- Exchange contact info with the other pet parent.
- Ask for proof of rabies vaccination.
- Report the bite to local animal control.
- Call your vet.
- Document everything, including photos of wounds and records of vet visits.
How to Prevent Rabies in Dogs
Practicing safe walking habits, like staying alert and walking your dog on a leash, will help you avoid encounters with potentially rabid animals. However, the best type of protection is staying up to date with your dog’s rabies vaccine schedule.
Vaccinations
Rabies is an entirely preventable disease. Pets with current vaccinations who get quick medical care after possible exposure can avoid infection.
It’s true that no vaccine is 100% effective. However, the rabies vaccine is extremely effective and has almost eliminated rabies in pets in the U.S. In fact, over 95% of vaccinated dogs have immunity against the virus after getting the vaccine, according to the World Health Organization.
Your dog’s rabies vaccine schedule will generally follow this pattern:
- Initial vaccine: Most puppies receive their first rabies shot between 14 and 16 weeks of age.
- First booster: Your dog should get a follow-up booster a year after their first vaccine.
- Routine boosters: Dogs typically need a booster every 1-3 years, depending on your state’s regulations and the specific vaccine used.
Vaccination side effects
According to Dr. Richardson, the rabies vaccine is extremely safe for most dogs.
There’s a small chance of mild side effects, which should go away in a day or two. These include:
- Soreness at the injection site
- Slight lethargy
- Low-grade fever
“In very rare cases, a dog may have an allergic reaction, but veterinarians are trained to manage those if they occur,” Dr. Richardson says. “That said, the risk of not vaccinating is far greater. Rabies is almost always fatal, and there’s no cure once symptoms appear. Vaccinating your dog doesn’t just protect them—it also protects your family and community.”
Diagnosis and Treatment of Rabies
Rabies has no treatment or cure. That’s what makes it so important to get your dog vaccinated and keep your dog’s rabies vaccine up to date.
If a vaccinated pet gets bitten by a wild animal or an unvaccinated dog, your vet will give your dog a rabies vaccine booster right away and place them under a 10-day quarantine. For unvaccinated dogs, the quarantine period can last up to 6 months.
These quick steps can help save your dog’s life and prevent the spread of rabies to others—including you.
There’s no way to test a living dog for rabies. Diagnosis can only be confirmed after death by examining a sample of brain tissue.
What if I get bitten by an unvaccinated dog?
Most people don’t get a preventative rabies vaccine, unless they work with wild animals or plan to travel to a place where rabies is more common.
If you’re bitten by a wild animal or unvaccinated pet, you must contact your doctor and local health department immediately to start treatment right away—even if you have had a rabies vaccine.
Doctors typically start with a dose of rabies immune globulin (HRIG), followed by a series of rabies vaccines. Your life depends on receiving treatment before any symptoms appear. Once symptoms appear, the virus cannot be treated.
Rabies Precautions Around Wildlife
Staying vigilant and safe while exploring the outdoors is important, even if your dog is vaccinated.
Dr. Richardson recommends these precautions:
- Keep your dog on a leash: Avoid allowing your dog to roam off-leash, especially in wooded areas with wild animals who may have rabies.
- Avoid unknown animals: Stay away from wild animals that seem unusually friendly, tame, or unafraid of humans, especially raccoons, skunks, foxes, and coyotes.
- Don’t touch bats: Never pick up or touch a bat, even if it appears to be dead.
If you suspect a wild animal may have rabies, keep your distance and contact animal control immediately.
