Rabies Info

RABIES INFO

Rabies is a disease caused by a germ in the saliva of a "mad" dog.
The germs enter the body through the wound made when a rabid
animal bites another animal or person.

Symptoms of Rabies

Rabies may appear in either the dumb or the furious form. The
symptoms are not constant, but as a rule dogs with DUMB
RABIES are very RESTLESS. The eyes take on a peculiarly
bright appearance, with dilated pupils. The dog may
be more AFFECTIONATE than usual. The throat
and jaws gradually become paralyzed so that the MOUTH
HANGS OPEN, saliva DROOLS out, and the tongue seems to
be in the way. There is difficulty in swallowing. Frequently these
symptoms lead to the mistake of thinking the animal has a
BONE CAUGHT in the throat. The dog may snap at imaginary objects.

Dogs affected with the FURIOUS form of RABIES become IRRITABLE and
restless, SNAPPING at people or other animals. They will chew up foreign
material, such as rugs, pieces of clothing or wood. They try to get
out of the house to run. If confined, they will TEAR at
OBJECTS and, if they break loose, will RUN AIMLESSLY for miles,
snapping and biting at any moving objects crossing their path.

In both forms of rabies, there is a peculiar high pitched and
HOUND-LIKE HOWL. The end comes when the dog dies in a stupor.

RABIES NEVER APPEAR AS SUDDEN CONVULSIONS OR FITS
What to Do With a Dog That Has Bitten a Person
Do NOT kill it. Confine the dog and call a veterinarian.
The dog should be kept under observation. If it remains well, there is
no danger of rabies to animals or persons bitten; if it has
rabies, definite symptoms and death will occur within the
two weeks' period of restraint that is required. If the dog
is killed at once, you may never know whether or not it
was rabid.

ALL PERSONS BITTEN BY OR INTIMATELY EXPOSED
TO RABID ANIMALS SHOULD BE GIVEN
ANTI-RABIC TREATMENT.