what are the signs and symptoms of a dog bitten by another dog (possibly rabid)?

Question

note: possibly rabid dog is dead (japanese spitz)... killed by the bitten dog (pitbull, non-rabid)

dead dog's been disposed of... after how many minutes or hours or days should i expect different behaviour(s) if there are any?

Answer 1

Determination of rabies in dogs is usually done in one of two ways either keeping the dog in isolation under observation for 10 days or submitting the brain for laboratory analysis. Number one will not be helpful to you at this point. Number two option is open to you if the brain was not frozen or damaged by heat. Usually the health department or animal control department in your city takes care of that. Your dog hopefully is vaccinated against rabies and stands a good chance of having protection against the virus. Although most cases of rabies are called furious rabies, the dog can't swallow, salivates, and is irritated by anything near him, a percentage of dogs have dumb rabies during which you may never see the classical signs of rabies. Talk with your pet's doctor and discuss the signs the Spitz was demonstrating that make you think it was rabid in the first place.

Answer 2

Be very careful: Another sign is depression. The symptoms depend on which part of the brain is attacked by the virus first.

If the body of the dead dog is still available, it can be examined for rabies at your local health department. Do that today!

If your pit was vaccinated, then it should be protected from rabies.

Answer 3

If your dog is up to date on its rabie shots there is no need to worry most generally.
When the virus begins to shed, studies have shown that the animal will die from the rabies infection within 10 days. The time it takes for the virus to reach to brain varies and is dependent on the placement of the bite wound. Average incubation lasts from 2-8 weeks. During the incubation period, the animal is NOT contagious.
When the virus finally arrives at the brain, signs of rabies are seen. There are typically 3 final phases of rabies Once these signs begin, death usually occurs within 10 days.
Paralytic Phase This phase is considered the final phase. The rabid animal will become weak and the nerves to the throat no longer function. This results in inability to swallow. You will notice drooling and difficulty eating. The animal is not afraid of water; he/she just cannot swallow it so avoids it. Additionally, depression and coma may be seen just prior to death.

Not all rabid animals follow this pathway but all are dead within 10 days of the virus attacking the brain.

Rabies perpetuates because of the wild animal reservoirs. Foxes, raccoons, skunks, coyotes and bats have high rates of rabies infections and exposure to these animals is the primary way rabies is spread to our pets and us.
Clinical signs of rabies are quite variable, with a change in behavior being one of them more consistent findings. This behavior change can be as subtle as apprehension, or as extreme as biting in a normally friendly dog. Dogs might chew at the site they were bitten when they became infected, and can even maim themselves.

As the disease progresses dogs may show increased irritability, visciousness, excitability, and eating unusual objects (pica) like wood. These dogs may hide in dark or quiet places, and will bite when provoked. Central nervous system signs like seizures will exhibit, and there may be paralysis prior to death.

A phase of the disease causes paralysis of the muscles in the throat. This leads to excessive drooling and choking sounds due to an inability to swallow, and is the sign most people think of when describing rabies. It is also common for people to think their dog has something stuck in its throat, and cause themselves to be exposed to virus laden saliva when attempting to removed the suspected foreign body.

Answer 4

Acting drunk and very odd. Frothy drool, not drinking, difficulty standing still. Aggressive behavior and not recognizing familiar people.

If you suspect the dog may have contracted rabies it must be quarrantined and treated (or euthanized) or it may attack someone.

Answer 5

They might start foaming at the mouth which can be very bad. Or they can start to get very very mean.

Answer 6

foaming at the mouth getting meaner to humans i would have it checked out