Clinical Signs of Rabies

Animals with rabies may show a variety of signs. The disease can appear in two forms:

Dumb Rabies:

• domestic animals may become depressed and try to hide in isolated places

• wild animals may lose their fear of humans and appear unusually friendly

• wild animals that usually come out only at night may be out during the day

• animals may have paralysis - areas most commonly affected are the face or neck (which causes abnormal facial expressions or drooling) or the hind legs.

Furious Rabies:

• animals may become very excited and aggressive

• periods of excitement alternated with periods of depression

• animals may attack objects or other animals - they may even bite or chew their own limbs