1. Rabies, what exactly is this "demon"?

Rabies is an extremely dangerous acute infectious disease caused by the rabies virus. Once it occurs, the fatality rate is almost 100%. And this culprit - the rabies virus - is a very "cunning" and highly destructive neurotropic virus. It is like a "demon" hidden in the dark, specifically attacking the nervous systems of animals and humans.

When the virus successfully invades the body, it will multiply in large quantities in a short period of time, attack the central nervous system along the nerve fibers, and attack important parts such as the brain and spinal cord, causing severe symptoms such as hydrophobia, fear of wind and difficulty in swallowing, bringing great pain to the patient. The originally healthy body is filled with fear and pain due to the virus attack, and the patient can only wait for death in pain.

Source of infection: In China, the main source of rabies infection is sick dogs, and about 80% to 90% of rabies cases are transmitted by them. Walking through the streets and alleys, those stray dogs, due to long-term lack of management and immunization, come into contact with various pathogens outside and become high-risk carriers of the rabies virus. If domestic dogs are not vaccinated on time, they may also be infected once exposed to the virus, thereby posing a danger to humans and other animals.

In some developed countries and regions, due to strict control over stray dogs and the implementation of compulsory immunization policies for domestic dogs, the probability of dogs contracting rabies has been significantly reduced. However, wild animals such as bats, raccoons, skunks, wolves and foxes have become the main sources of infection. These wild animals live freely in the natural environment, have a wide range of activities, and it is difficult to completely avoid contact with humans and domestic animals. When they are infected with the rabies virus, they will inadvertently spread the virus to other animals and even humans.

Comprehensive Analysis of Transmission Routes:

Bite: The most common way to get infected. Being bitten by sick animals is the main way for dogs to be infected with rabies. When animals carrying the rabies virus (such as sick dogs, sick cats, and wild animals) attack dogs, they will Pierce their skin with their teeth and inject virus-containing saliva into the wound. The virus multiplies in the muscle cells near the wound, advances rapidly along the nerve fibers towards the central nervous system, and eventually causes rabies.

Other potential infection routes, apart from bites. There are other ways for dogs to be at risk of contracting rabies. When a dog gets injured from playing with a sick animal or its wound is licked by a sick animal, the virus may invade. If dogs consume the carcasses of animals infected with the rabies virus, the virus may also enter their bodies through the digestive tract. Although these situations are not common, they should not be taken lightly.

After the rabies virus breaks through the dog's body defense and invades the body, the pathological process begins. The virus first colonizes and proliferates in small amounts in the muscle tissue near the wound. At this point, the virus accumulates activity in a concealed manner. Dogs show no obvious clinical symptoms and have a normal appearance, but potential risks are accumulating.

With the continuous increase in the number of viruses, they are no longer confined to the limited reproduction of muscle tissues but begin to invade the central nervous system along nerve fibers. The virus spreads through nerve fibers, just like highly invasive pathogens, rapidly advancing towards the brain and spinal cord of dogs at a speed of approximately 3 millimeters per hour. Once the virus reaches the dorsal root ganglion, it will replicate in large quantities here, forming a virus aggregation area and further expanding its distribution range in the nervous system.

When the virus successfully occupies the central nervous system, the pathological changes in dogs enter a critical stage. The virus replicates in large quantities in the brain and spinal cord, causing severe damage to nerve cells and leading to pathological changes such as degeneration and necrosis of nerve cells.

At this point, the canine body begins to show a series of abnormal symptoms. The behavior is manifested as extremely unstable emotions. The originally docile individual may suddenly exhibit aggressive behavior and show hostility towards the surrounding environment and other individuals. Or they may fall into a state of extreme fear, being extremely sensitive to external stimuli such as the sound of wind, water, and light, and even minor stimuli can trigger strong reactions.

At the same time, dogs may also experience swallowing dysfunction, characterized by abnormal muscle function in the throat, which makes it impossible for them to eat and drink normally, often accompanied by painful vocalizations.

When the virus attacks the central nervous system of dogs, it spreads to various organs through the efferent nerve, and the salivary gland is one of the main target organs. The virus invades the salivary glands and multiplies in large numbers, causing the saliva to contain a high concentration of the virus. This is the reason why the saliva of dogs infected with rabies is highly contagious. Once they bite other animals or people, the virus enters the new host through the saliva, causing infection and spreading the disease.

2. How to protect dogs and keep them away from the threat of rabies.

Having understood the horror of rabies and the causes of dog infection, we should take more action to build a solid defense line for our dogs' health.

Regularly vaccinating dogs against rabies is the most direct and effective way to prevent rabies. Generally speaking, dogs can receive their first dose of rabies vaccine after they are three months old. After that, every year, take the dog to the pet hospital on time for booster shots to ensure that the antibodies in the dog's body always remain at an effective level. It's like putting on an invisible armor for the dog, making it hard for the rabies virus to get close.

When choosing a vaccine, it is essential to select a qualified product purchased from a regular channel and receive the vaccination under the guidance of a professional veterinarian. Some cat owners might be tempted by low prices and choose vaccines of unknown origin, which is actually a very dangerous behavior. These vaccines may have quality issues, fail to provide effective immunity, and may even cause harm to the health of dogs. So, for the safety of your dog, you mustn't save money on vaccines.

Stay away from stray animals. The living environment of stray animals is complex, and the probability of exposure to the rabies virus is relatively high, which is a high-risk factor for the transmission of rabies. We should try our best to prevent dogs from coming into contact with stray animals, especially those with abnormal behavior or suspected illness. When taking your dog for a walk, be sure to hold the leash tightly and prevent it from running around freely, chasing or touching stray animals.

If a dog accidentally comes into contact with stray animals, after returning home, carefully check its body to see if there are any wounds or other abnormal conditions. If there are any abnormalities, take the dog to a pet hospital for treatment in time.

Daily protection:

In daily life, we should cultivate good living habits for our dogs, keep the living environment clean and hygienic, and regularly clean and disinfect the dog house, toys, food bowls, etc., to reduce the chance of virus breeding.

At the same time, it is necessary to prevent dogs from coming into contact with animal carcasses of unknown origin to avoid them being infected with the rabies virus through the digestive tract. In addition, attention should be paid to the dog's mental health to prevent it from being overly frightened or stimulated, as dogs with unstable emotions are more likely to exhibit aggressive behavior, increasing the risk of infection and transmission of rabies.

3 Finally: Rabies poses a threat to the lives and safety of both dogs and humans. Dogs are our good companions, but rabies may ruin this beauty. Understanding the causes of rabies in dogs is the key to protecting them. Regular vaccinations and staying away from stray animals are very important protective measures. Let's build a solid defense line for our dogs with science and love, allowing them to grow up healthily and filling the time we spend with them with warmth and peace of mind.