A Bite of Information on Dog Rabies

It's a big responsibility to own a dog. You need to protect your overall dog health and protect him or her from any form of diseases. Rabies is a life-threatening viral disease that causes inflammation to your pet's nervous system and eventually results to madness and death. When your dog is infected with rabies, he or she might go through the three dreadful stages.

Prodomal Phase - the first phase which can last until two to three days. During this stage, your dog may experience fever, frequent chewing at the infected area of the bite and showing unusual behavioral changes.
Furious Stage - this might be the most scariest phase of the three because the pressure has already reached the dog's brain and starts to rip him off. Your dog will begin to display disorientation, irritability and a different level of aggression and he or she might no longer follow your orders. This terrible stage will last for two to four days.
Paralytic Phase - The final stage, like the Furious stage, this will also occur between two to four days and the entire body of your dog will be numbed. There's no cure once your dog is already at this stage and whether you like it or not, he or she will die in a short while.

Protecting Your Dog from Rabies
Dog rabies can be cured if it is detected early. Once your dog is bitten by some vicious or any domestic animal, you need to bring your dog to the nearest veterinarian for immunization. It is suggested that you need to make arrangements with your vet regarding this matter. Don't delay things, you just need to make it happen. Remember, you need to protect your dog health before anything else. Studies show that a puppy can now have its first immunization at eight weeks old. The second shot should be be given four weeks after. When the puppy turned sixteen weeks old, he or she can have the vaccination for rabies.

Yet, there are some side effects you should be wary of once your dog is immunized. These side effects are: disorientation, lethargy, vomiting, trembling and swelling. If you observe that your dog has displayed any of these signs, you need to call your vet asap. To prevent these heartbreaking events from happening, you need to protect your dog. Regular grooming and proper health care of your dog should be observed. When you walk them down the street, avoid contacting them with wild dogs.

Protecting Yourself from Rabies
Are you aware that the effects of rabies in dog is same as that of humans? Truth is, the chances of having a rabies in humans may be slim but still, you need to be extra cautious.
For any instances that you are bitten by dogs or by any animal, wild or not, with rabies or without, you must immediately wash the infected area of your body with soap and water before seeing your veterinarian for further testing and observation.

It might be also helpful that after you've been bitten, you follow the dog on its way home then request the authorities to capture it. When the dog is captured, never injure the head as this is used for further medical verification.

Conclusion
“Prevention is better than cure,” you need this quote all the time. It's not impossible to fight dog rabies as long as you are doing the proper precaution in protecting your pet dog and your health and life, as well.