Dogs get rabies primarily through the bite of an infected, rabid animal. The rabies virus is present in the saliva of the infected animal and enters the dog's body when the bite breaks the skin, allowing the virus to enter the bloodstream and nervous system
. Rabies can also be transmitted if the saliva or brain/spinal tissue of an infected animal-dead or alive-comes into contact with a dog's eyes, nose, mouth, or an open wound or scratch
. The virus cannot penetrate unbroken skin, so direct contact with infected saliva through these vulnerable areas is necessary for transmission
. Wild animals such as bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes are common carriers of rabies and are the usual sources of infection for dogs, especially if the dog roams unsupervised
. Once infected, the virus travels along the dog's nerves to the brain, where it attacks the central nervous system. Symptoms typically appear within 2 weeks but can sometimes take months to manifest, depending on factors like the location and severity of the bite
. Vaccination is the best prevention against rabies in dogs, but no vaccine guarantees 100% protection
. If a vaccinated dog is exposed, a booster vaccine and quarantine are required to prevent disease spread
. In summary, dogs get rabies mainly through bites from rabid animals or contact of infected saliva with mucous membranes or open wounds
