After being infected with the rabies virus, dogs usually go through an incubation period that can last from a few weeks to a few months. The following is a list of symptoms that dogs may experience in the early stages of the disease:
Behavioral changes: In the early stages, dogs may exhibit abnormal behaviors such as anxiety, irritability, or excessive fear, and otherwise docile dogs may become excited or aggressive. In addition, it can also be too clingy or timid.
Changes in appetite and drinking habits: Dogs may have a loss of appetite, reluctance to eat, or a sudden large amount of water, which may be a non-specific symptom in the early stages of rabies.
Neurological symptoms: Dogs may have muscle stiffness, particularly in the neck and back, resulting in abnormal head posture (such as looking down or looking up), a phenomenon also known as "rabies head posture".
Difficulty breathing and increased drooling: As the disease progresses, the dog may experience shortness of breath, wheezing, and uncontrollable drooling, sometimes even drooling, which is also one of the typical symptoms of rabies.
Hyperesthesia: Being overly sensitive to external stimuli such as light, sound, and touch, and even a strong reaction can occur when exposed to light.
Seizures or other convulsions: Later in the disease, dogs may experience symptoms such as seizures and limb twitching.
Please note that these symptoms are not unique to rabies, and other diseases may cause similar symptoms. Therefore, if there is any abnormality in your dog, take it to the veterinary department for a professional diagnosis and** as soon as possible. If rabies is suspected, please maintain a high level of vigilance and strictly follow the relevant national laws and regulations and veterinary advice** to prevent the spread of the disease.