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What are the chances a dog has rabies?


Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system of mammals, including dogs. It is spread through the saliva of infected animals and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. Rabies poses a risk to both animal and human health, so understanding the chances of a dog being infected is important.

How common is rabies in dogs?

In areas where rabies is endemic, around 5% of dogs are estimated to be infected with the virus. However, even in high-risk areas the majority of dogs will not have rabies. Rates of infection vary greatly depending on the local animal population and efforts to control rabies spread through vaccination.

In the United States, widespread vaccination of dogs has reduced the incidence of rabies dramatically. Now, less than 1% of dogs are found to be infected when tested. Most cases occur in wild animals like raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats.

What increases a dog’s risk of getting rabies?

  • Living in or traveling to a high-risk area where rabies is common
  • Lack of vaccination against rabies
  • Roaming freely outdoors and increased exposure to wildlife
  • Aggressive behavior and fighting with other animals

Dogs that live primarily indoors and are up to date on their rabies vaccinations have a very low chance of contracting rabies. Stray dogs or dogs with outdoor access in endemic areas have the highest risk.

Clinical Signs of Rabies in Dogs

Infected dogs may show a variety of signs as the virus affects their brain and central nervous system. Rabies symptoms typically develop 2-8 weeks after infection. Initial signs may last 2-4 days before the disease progresses to more severe symptoms:

Early Symptoms

  • Fever
  • Behavior changes – restlessness, irritability, nervousness
  • Increased vocalization
  • Loss of appetite
  • Lethargy

Later Stage Symptoms

  • Incoordination
  • Seizures
  • Paralysis (usually beginning in the hind legs)
  • Dilation of pupils
  • Inability to swallow leading to excessive salivation/drooling
  • Biting at real or imaginary objects

Once clinical signs occur, rabies is nearly 100% fatal in dogs within 7-10 days. However, symptoms may progress rapidly to paralysis, coma, and death within just 1-2 days in some cases.

How is Rabies Diagnosed in Dogs?

Because rabies has such severe health consequences, veterinarians must approach suspected cases very cautiously. They will evaluate the dog’s medical history, vaccination status, potential for exposure, and observable symptoms.

Definitive diagnosis requires laboratory testing of a saliva, brain tissue, or cerebrospinal fluid sample, either before or after the dog’s death. Tests look for the presence of viral antigens using immunofluorescence.

Diagnostic Tests Used to Identify Rabies Include:

  • Direct fluorescent antibody test on a saliva or brain tissue sample
  • RT-PCR to detect viral RNA
  • Virus isolation through cell culture techniques
  • Histopathology to identify pathognomonic lesions in brain tissue

Due to risks to veterinary staff, euthanasia is often performed before confirmatory testing in sick dogs highly suspected to have rabies.

How is Rabies Treated and Prevented in Dogs?

Unfortunately there is no effective treatment for dogs that develop clinical rabies. The disease has nearly 100% mortality rate at this stage. Instead, prevention through vaccination is critical to protecting dog health.

Prevention Steps Include:

  • Vaccinating puppies and dogs according to veterinary protocols (boosters needed every 1-3 years)
  • Keeping pets confined and supervising outdoor time
  • Reporting stray animals in the neighborhood
  • Avoiding contact with wildlife

Rabies vaccines are highly effective for dogs. Vaccination provides immunity by exposing the immune system to inactivated forms of the rabies virus. With routine boosters, vaccinated dogs have almost no chance of contracting rabies. However, prompt veterinary assessment is still needed if a vaccinated dog has any potential rabies exposure, as boosters may be recommended.

Conclusion

The chances of a dog having rabies will depend on factors like the local rabies risk, the dog’s vaccination status, and potential for exposure to wildlife. In the US, less than 1% of all dogs are infected thanks to widespread pet vaccination. However, dogs in high-risk regions or with outdoor exposure still have an elevated risk.

Rabies is virtually 100% fatal once clinical signs occur, so prevention is essential. Vaccination, confinement indoors, and limiting contact with wildlife are the best ways to protect dogs against this dangerous zoonotic disease. With proper precautions, pet dogs in many areas have an extremely low risk of ever contracting rabies.