Is it rabies if a dog's eyes are red

When we joyfully accompany our dog, its agile eyes are like two brilliant gems, carrying curiosity about the world and endless dependence on us. However, one day, when we suddenly noticed that the dog's eyes turned red, worry and fear flooded our hearts like a tide. We can't help but shout from the bottom of our hearts: Is red dog eyes rabies?

Redness in a dog's eyes is a common phenomenon, but there are various reasons behind it, which does not necessarily mean that the dog has contracted rabies. Eye infections are one of the common causes of redness in dogs' eyes. Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections can all cause eye inflammation, such as conjunctivitis, keratitis, etc. When conjunctivitis occurs, the conjunctiva of a dog's eyes will be significantly congested, and the eyes may appear red. At the same time, there may also be symptoms of increased eye discharge. The characteristics of eye droppings vary depending on the type of infection, and bacterial infections may cause eye droppings to appear yellow and purulent; When infected with a virus, eye droppings may be relatively thin and transparent. Keratitis is more severe, in addition to redness of the eyes, dogs may also exhibit eye pain, photophobia, frequent blinking or eye closure, and even symptoms such as corneal opacity and ulceration. We watched the dog scratching its eyes frequently with its paws due to eye discomfort, feeling heartbroken and wishing we could immediately alleviate its pain.

Allergic reactions may also cause redness in dogs' eyes. Dogs may be allergic to certain substances in the environment, such as pollen, dust, certain foods, etc. When dogs come into contact with allergens, their immune system recognizes them as harmful foreign substances, triggering an immune response that leads to vasodilation and redness of the eyes. Meanwhile, dogs may also experience sneezing, itching, and other allergic symptoms such as rashes in other parts of their body. We recall the recent changes in our dog's living environment, whether it has been exposed to new foods or is in a season with more pollen. We anxiously search for allergens in our hearts to help our dog get rid of the troubles of allergies.

Trauma cannot be ignored either. Dogs are naturally lively and active. During play, their eyes may be accidentally scratched by tree branches, toys, or other animals. After eye trauma, there may be obvious redness and swelling, possibly accompanied by bleeding. If the wound is not treated in a timely manner, it is easy to cause infection and worsen the symptoms of the eyes.

So, what is the connection between rabies and red eyes in dogs? Rabies is an acute infectious disease caused by the rabies virus, and once it occurs, the mortality rate is almost 100%, making it frightening to talk about. In the early stages of rabies, dogs may experience non-specific symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, and mental fatigue. At this time, the eyes may slightly turn red due to fever and other reasons, but this redness is usually not obvious and is not a typical symptom of rabies. As the condition progresses and enters the excitement phase, dogs may exhibit extreme restlessness and sensitivity to stimuli such as sound and light, and may exhibit aggressive behavior, including unprovoked attacks on humans or other animals. At this stage, the eyes may become more red due to the dog's emotional excitement, accelerated blood circulation, and other reasons, but there may also be other more obvious symptoms, such as increased drooling, white and viscous saliva constantly flowing out of the mouth; Hoarse voice, this is because the virus has invaded the laryngeal nerves; Dysphagia makes it difficult for dogs to drink water even if they are thirsty.

During the paralysis period of rabies, dogs will gradually become weak, with muscle relaxation throughout the body, and eventually die due to respiratory and circulatory failure. At this stage, the symptom of red eyes may become less prominent as the dog's physical function declines. So, pure red eyes in dogs cannot be simply equated with rabies, and other symptoms and life history of dogs need to be considered comprehensively.

If we notice a dog's eyes turning red, we must remain calm and closely observe the dog's other behaviors. Pay attention to whether its mental state is normal, whether it has appetite, and whether there are any abnormal behaviors, such as attacking people or other animals, excessive salivation, etc. At the same time, recall whether the dog has been bitten or scratched by other animals recently, and whether it has been vaccinated against rabies on time. If a dog has other abnormal symptoms in addition to red eyes, or if we cannot determine the cause, we must take the dog to see a veterinarian in a timely manner. Veterinarians will accurately determine the cause of the disease and provide appropriate treatment through detailed consultations, physical examinations, and necessary laboratory tests such as eye swabs, blood tests, etc.

During the period when a dog's eyes turn red, we should give it more care and attention. Provide it with a quiet and comfortable resting environment, avoiding strong light stimulation. Use a clean cotton ball or gauze dipped in physiological saline to gently wipe the dog's eyes, remove eye droppings, and keep the eyes clean. If a dog frequently scratches its eyes due to discomfort, we can put an Elizabeth ring on it to prevent further damage to its eyes. Every time we take care of a dog, it is a manifestation of our deep love for it. We look forward to it recovering soon, looking at us again with its bright eyes, and playing with us with vitality.