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Symptoms of Rabies in Animals

Rabies is a virus that can be lethal if it is transmitted to humans. Deaths from rabies kill nearly 55,000 people a year, according to the World Health Organization. The transmission of the virus occurs when an infected animal bites another animal or human. The infected saliva is then transferred into the wound of the healthy animal. There are many symptoms of rabies in animals. In most instances, animals that have been infected may act outside of their normal behavior. For instance, if you have a pet who seems to want to bite or snap at you, when generally they are friendly, this could be a sign of rabies.

  1. First Symptoms

    • The prodromal phase, or when symptoms first begin to appear, will occur within a few days of an animal or pet being bitten. If you have a dog who has become infected, your dog's bark may change in tone. The animal or pet may begin to bite at the site where they were bitten, develop a fever, or refuse to eat.

    Furious Rabies

    • This is a type of rabies where the animal may seem as if they are frothing at the mouth. Excess saliva accumulates in the mouth. The animal or pet will become excessively angry, and seem to be out of control. The animal or pet may try to attack or bite at you. If you have a pet that has been infected, you may notice that they have dilated pupils, acts confused, has seizures, or has a tendency to want to wander away.

    Dumb Rabies

    • Dumb rabies is referred to the condition when an animal's mouth (lower jaws) becomes paralyzed. The animal or pet may sit and reject attention. It may seem out of sorts, or timid when approached. The animal or pet may also have difficulty in drinking water, or even walking.

    Other Symptoms

    • Other symptoms in animals may include erratic behavior. For example, if you see a wild animal that tries to approach you, this is not normal. Some animals that are nocturnal (night animals) may begin to appear during the day. If you have a pet that seems to be irritable, they begin to tremble, or wants to eat objects they normally wouldn't eat, these are warning signs, according to Animal Health.

    Symptoms in Humans

    • If by chance you have become infected by an animal with rabies, your symptoms may initially include flu-like symptoms, such as fever and headache. As the virus progresses, you will have respiratory issues, such as difficulty in breathing. You may begin to have seizures or an upset stomach. If left untreated, the extent of the virus can lead to paralysis and even death.

    Prevention/Solution

    • If you have a pet, never let them stray to reduce the risk of having them get bit by an infected animal. If you see an animal acting out of sorts, call animal control. If you notice that your animal gets bit by another animal, have them treated with a rabies booster vaccination, just as a precaution. Never under any circumstances should you try to approach a wild animal, or try to care for an animal that appears to be sick. Once again, call animal control so they can care for the animal.

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