Rabies Signs and Symptoms
A list of clinical signs the animal may or may not display.
What are the signs of rabies in animals?
Abnormal behavior is the most consistent sign. Rabies can take on two different forms in animals--dumb or furious. With the dumb form, animals will become shy or hide, and are often unapproachable. They may also be sluggish and act depressed or confused. With the furious form, animals will be excitable, irritable, and act aggressively. These animals may attack suddenly when approached. Other signs of rabies include drooling, inability to eat, drink or swallow (may appear as if the animal is choking), change in vocalization, frothing at the mouth, staggering, weakness, convulsions, and paralysis. Animals will normally become comatose prior to death.
What are the symptoms of rabies in people?
Initially, nonspecific flu-like symptoms appear - malaise, fever or headache. As the disease progresses, patients may experience mental dysfunction, anxiety, confusion, agitation, delirium, abnormal behavior, hallucinations, convulsions, insomnia, and paralysis. Death generally occurs one to two weeks after the onset of symptoms.
