Initial Symptoms of Rabies

Rabies, although deadly, is a slow-moving virus that often takes weeks to cause outward symptoms. The incubation time for rabies can be anywhere from three to eight weeks in dogs, two to six weeks in cats and three to six weeks in humans. In fact, in rare cases, rabies can have a six-month incubation time in dogs and 12 months in people. The initial symptoms of rabies occur during what is medically referred to as the Prodromal phase.

Behavioral Symptoms

• The initial symptoms of rabies include a host of behavioral changes in animals and humans: nervousness, anxiety, irritability, depression and melancholy. Animals may isolate themselves, too. Likewise, a friendly animal may become aggressive, and a mean animal may become friendly and affectionate. As the days progress, behavior will become erratic and unpredictable.

Physical Symptoms

• The initial physical symptoms of rabies vary. They may include fever and nausea, along with headache, malaise, sore throat, excessive salivation, dilated pupils, increase in muscle tone, excessive sweating, rapid pulse and shallow respiration. At the site of the bite, an affected animal or human may experience itching, tingling, radiating pain and a cold sensation. In animals this can be noted by them paying excessive attention to the wound through licking and biting.

Sensory Symptoms

• Sensory symptoms are also part of the initial symptoms of a rabies infection. Sensory symptoms would include an increased sensitivity to light and noise.