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The Rabies Virus

Rabies · Rabies signs & symptoms · Rabies diagnosis · Rabies treatment · Rabies related articles

Rabies Symptoms

Pets with the Rabies virus always demonstrate unusual behavior. At first rabid animals tend to stop eating and drinking, and seem to want to be left alone. Then, they may be aggressive and attack and bite, or they may be timid and try to hide from the family. As the disease progresses, these pets drool and develop difficulty swallowing. This occurs because the rabies virus affects the nerves in the face and head. The closer to the head that the initial infection occurs, the more quickly symptoms develop. Paralysis may then set in and once this happens, the disease progresses very quickly and the animal dies. With animal rabies, death usually occurs a few days after symptoms appear. This is usually from respiratory failure.

Detailed information is available from the Center for Disease Control.

The articles here were answered by a variety of pharmacists and veterinarians

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Drooling (ptylism)

Inability to eat or swallow

Change in behavior to either aggression or fearfulness and hiding

Rabies is spread through saliva or infected tissues, especially the brain

Bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes carry rabies

By law, a rabies vaccination must be given under direct supervision of a veterinarian

Pets living at the interface of urban & rural areas are the most likely to get rabies

As homes are built in these outlaying areas, pets have contact with rabid coyotes, foxes, raccoons, skunks and bats

This information is for educational purposes only and is intended to be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise and professional judgment of your veterinarian. The information is NOT to be used for diagnosis or treatment of your pet. You should always consult your own veterinarian for specific advice concerning the treatment of your pet.

The information about medications is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, allergic reactions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for your pet. It is not a substitute for a veterinary exam, and it does not replace the need for services provided by your veterinarian.

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