My dog died within 8 hrs, could not walk on legs, drooling from mouth couldn't eat. Is this rabies?

Question

I noticed her not being able to walk on back legs, then a while after drooling from mouth then she died leaving pups.

Answer 1

First of all so sorry for your loss...
Any mammal may become infected with the rabies virus and develop symptoms, including humans. Most animals can be infected by the virus and can transmit the disease to man. Infected bats, raccoons, foxes, skunks, dogs or cats provide the greatest risk to humans. Rabies may also spread through exposure to infected domestic farm animals, groundhogs, weasels and other wild carnivores. Squirrels, rodents and rabbits are seldom infected.

The virus is usually present in the blood, nerves, and saliva of a symptomatic rabid animal. The route of infection is usually, but not necessarily, by a bite, and in many cases in animals, causes the victim to be exceptionally aggressive, attack without provocation, and exhibit otherwise uncharacteristic behavior Transmission has occurred via an aerosol through mucous membranes; transmission in this form may have happened in people exploring caves populated by rabid bats. Transmission between humans is extremely rare, although it can happen through transplant surgery (see below for recent cases), or, even more rarely, through bites or kisses.

After a typical human infection by bite, the virus directly or indirectly enters the peripheral nervous system. It then travels along the nerves towards the central nervous system. During this phase, the virus cannot be easily detected within the host, and vaccination may still confer cell-mediated immunity to preempt symptomatic rabies. Once the virus reaches the brain, it rapidly causes encephalitis and symptoms appear. It may also inflame the spinal cord producing myelitis.

The period between infection and the first flu-like symptoms is normally three to twelve weeks, but can be as long as two years. Soon after, the symptoms expand to cerebral dysfunction, anxiety, insomnia, confusion, agitation, abnormal behavior, paranoia, hallucinations, progressing to delirium. The production of large quantities of saliva and tears coupled with an inability to speak or swallow are typical during the later stages of the disease; this can result in "hydrophobia". Death almost invariably results two to ten days after the first symptoms.
Hope this helps you Im not sure myself as to what it may have been

Answer 2

Just as a precaution to the pups she left behind, I would have your vet do a necropsy. My vet charges anywhere from $100-300 depending on the number of lab tests he has to run but it could well turn out saving those pups lives. Doesn't sound like rabies but as many suggested it could have been a stroke, or she could have ingested some type of poison. My mother had a puppy chew up a roach motel and the dog was drooling and unable to stand and died within hours. If she did ingest some type of poison, she could have passed it to her pups while nursing. I'm sorry for your loss. Take care.

Answer 3

Did she JUST have puppies? It could have been complications from giving birth but from what you said, she sounds rabid. I know rabid dogs stagger around and eventually cannot walk, and look delerious and salvate. However, rabbies in highly unlikely unless you live in a rural area with foxs and wolves.

If you are asking my opinion, from what you described I would guess she ate something poisionous or someone poisoned her.

The only way to REALLY tell is to have the body tested for rabbies and toxins. If the body tests negative, you could request an autopsy but they are VERY expensive and most people do not have insurance for their dogs.

Hope this helps and I am very sorry for your loss.

Answer 4

What a shame and now you have orphaned pups to raise. If she was nursing pups eclampsia (calcium deficency) would be my #1 suspect. Too bad you were not able to get her to the vet in time to save her....

Answer 5

probably not rabies. i would think either parvo (unless you had her inoculated for it) or a severe stroke. you could have your vet to an autopsy on her to find out exactly. i'm so sorry to hear about your loss and now having to deal with pups on your own. good luck.

Answer 6

I think that she passed from Distemper. Didnt you take care of her? you should have taken her to the vet the moment you noticed something wrong

Answer 7

very sorry about your dog. I suspect he had a stoke, my cat died the same way a few months ago. it was a horrible way to go.

Answer 8

Only a vet can diagnose this for sure. It could be parvo virus. Very deadly, very fast.

Answer 9

Did you check the recall on the dog food?

Answer 10

It sounded like dis-temper, to me, but don't really know.