Rabies is one of the worst diseases to affect man's best friend. Learn the signs of rabies in dogs and what you can do to protect the pets and people around you. Discussing the signs and symptoms of rabies in dogs is an inherently tragic topic. That's because once the signs of rabies infection appear, it's already too late. There is no treatment or cure, and the disease is fatal. However, there is good news. Rabies is also preventable through vaccination. How Do Dogs Get Rabies? Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system, causing deadly inflammation in the brain and spinal cord. The virus can infect any mammal—including humans. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most pets get rabies from interacting with wildlife. In the U.S., raccoons, bats, skunks, and foxes are the most common disease carriers. The rabies virus is present in the saliva of infectious animals, and transmission typically occurs when a dog is bitten by one of these animals. Though rare, the virus can also be transmitted when infectious saliva comes into direct contact with a scratch or open wound or with a mucous membrane (e.g. eyes, nose, mouth). The CDC notes that contact with the blood, urine, or feces of an infectious animal is not a cause for concern. Once the rabies virus enters a dog's body, it travels through the nerves to the brain. This process, known as the incubation period, typically takes anywhere from two weeks to around five months, says Brandi Whittemore, DVM, of Hancock Veterinary Services in Pineville, Mo., though…