368 The Care of Animals 



during the hot months, but statistics show that a 

 slightly greater number of cases., occur during the 

 winter months. In the dog, rabies occurs in two 

 forms, the dumb and the furious, the latter being the 

 most frequently observed. The period of incubation, — 

 that is the time that elapses after th^^Qinimal or person 

 is bitten and the appearing of first sj^raptoms of the 

 disease, — varies from a few days to many months, the 

 average being from three to six weeks. 



The first symptom usually seen in dogs is a dull, 

 depressed condition. The dog crawls into obscure places 

 and dislikes to be disturbed. He licks the original 

 wound and the genital organs. The appetite is ab- 

 normal, the dog eating grass, sticks, dung, and the like. 

 As the disease progresses, the dog becomes cross, snap- 

 ping at space or at inanimate objects, at other animals, 

 and at persons. 



A rabid dog shows a tendency to wander, often going 

 long distances and attacking persons and animals. If 

 confined, he will bite sticks or other objects, and some- 

 times will tear his own flesh. In the later stages of the 

 disease, the dog becomes exhausted, the eyes sunken 

 and the body emaciated. Associated with this is paral- 

 ysis, particularly of the hind parts and the lower jaw, 

 the latter condition being accompanied with a discharge 

 of saliva. The bark of a rabid dog is peculiar, — a 

 short bark prolonged into a whine. Death occurs from 

 exhaustion soon after paralysis sets in. 



Post-mortem examination of dogs that have died 

 from rabies does not give definite information. There 

 is slight irritation of the stomach and bowels, the 



