A Basic Guide to the Rabies Virus

The rabies virus is a serious disease that can affect wild and domesticated animals as well as humans. It is usually spread by an animal infected with rabies biting another animal or human being. Since there is no real "cure" for the rabies virus, an animal or human who is infected with rabies will most likely die, though there have been several cases of humans and even a few dogs surviving the disease.

Effects of Rabies Virus
After an animal has been infected with the rabies virus, the virus travels to the brain. This can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a year. Once the brain has been infected by the virus, the rest happens rather quickly. The rabies virus travels to the salivary glands. The infected animal may go through one or all of these phases: prodromal, furious and paralytic.

• During the prodromal stage, the animal's behavior will change. Friendly dogs and cats will become aggressive, while previously unsocial animals will become friendly and loving. The distance between a bite from an infected animal and the brain plays a role in how long this stage takes.
• The furious stage, or Mad Dog Syndrome, comes next. During this stage animals become extremely sensitive to sights and sounds. They may attack people or other animals. If the animal is placed in a cage, it will bite at the sides.
• The final stage is the paralytic stage. During this phase of the rabies virus, the animal will begin to froth at the mouth. Facial muscles may seize and the jaw may drop. It isn't long before the animal enters respiratory distress and dies.

Prevention is really the only way to treat the rabies virus. The rabies vaccine is required by law in most states. It is given when your pet is between four and six months old, and again at one year. After that your pet will need another rabies vaccine every one to three years, depending on the state you live in. Getting your dog or cat vaccinated against rabies can prevent infection, should your pet come into contact with a rabid animal.