Dogs and Rabies

What makes dogs go mad? When you have a dog as your pet it needs to be cared like a child.Sometimes the friendliest dog can cause death with its bite.This is n ot because it has changed its character,but because it has infected with a terrible disease.This disease is called 'rabies'.It infects the brain and the spinal cord,and these are both vital to life.The infection is caused by a virus; an organism which is too small to be seen with an ordinary microscope.Rabies can infect all warm-blooded animals, including wolves,foxes, skunks,cows,cats,and even bats. A dog may become infected with rabies and its owner may not know it for some time.The disease may take four to six weeks to show up.The first signs are when the dog becomes quiet,has fever,and lose interest in food.Then it becomes excited.Saliva froths from the mouth.It growls and barks,and is likely to bite.After such symptoms appear,a dog is likely to die within three to five days.Since the virus is in saliva,the disease is passed on by biting.This disease is fatal.That is why it is important to prevent the disease,and go to a doctor at once if some one has been bitten by a dog.There is serum that acts against the virus before it can spread,but it must be taken within three days of being bitten.