Jan. 1907.] 



LIVE STOCK. 



Rabies in the Dog. 



By G, W. Sturgess, Government Veterinary Surgeon. 



Various ailments of the dog are commonly mistaken for rabies, and much 

 needless alarm given to persons bitten by a supposed mad dog. It may therefore 

 be of benefit to give a few hints as to the symptoms of true rabies and the line of 

 action to be taken in dealing with a suspected case. 



The disease is most common amongst vagabond dogs (pariahs). It may 

 attack all domestic animals and such wild animals as the jackal, fox, hyena, wolf, 

 and deer. 



Forms of the Disease.— In the dog it appears in two forms : (1) the raving 

 or raging form ; (2) the dumb or paralytic form. 



Incubative Period.— The incubative period, or the time that elapses between 

 the bite and the appearance of the symptoms, may vary from three to six weeks or 

 to several months, usually about the fourth or fifth week. 



Duration. — Deaths take place in about five to eight days after an attacks 

 Symptoms.— It is difficult to describe symptoms which may not be mistaken 

 by ordinary people. The general symptoms are— alteration of habit or temper— an 

 anxious expression of the eyes which becomes wilder and more glaring — restlessness — 

 a dislike of bright light or objects may be shown, the dog seeking dark corners. It 

 it has been bitten there may be biting of the old wound or scar— there is usually 

 refusal of the ordinary food (but not always), and morbid appetite with a tendency 

 to eat or tear to pieces straw, wood, mats, or cushions— or to persistently lick the 

 spot where another dog has urinated. There is thirst and fever and the animal will 

 drink water, but in an advanced stage it cannot swallow owing to paralysis of 

 the larynx, 



There may be biting or snapping at imaginary objects— great sexual excite- 

 ment may be shown, A hacking husky cough may be present leading to the belief 

 that the animal is choked. The voice is altered, becoming harsh and hollow with a 

 peculiar howl. As the disease advances the fits of excitement and rage become 

 more pronounced with a tendency to bite at anything in the way and to escape and 

 wander— running with a peculiar long trot more or less straight ahead. Convulsions 

 or spasms are present which become more frequent until the animal becomes more 

 or less paralyzed and dies from exhaustion. The eyes appear glaring and red with a 

 squinting tendency, and there is usually a discharge which collects at the inner 

 corners. There may be at first constipation and in the latter stages a chocolate- 

 coloured diarrhoea. The animal may vomit and the matter be tinged a chocolate 

 colour. Saliva may collect in a thick and gummy form round the lips, and the animal 

 try to remove it with its paws as if choked (when this symptom is shown great care 

 should be taken in any attempt to examine the mouth). The master's voice produces 

 attention, but with a half bewildered and curious expression in the eyes. 



In the dumb form in addition to the above symptoms great help in diagnosis 

 is given by the state of the lower jaw, which becomes paralyzed and the mouth 

 remains partly open and saliva and dirt collect round the lips. As the jaw is para- 

 lyzed the dog cannot seize any object and hold it. There may be a purulent 

 discharge from the nose* ^ a 



