Understanding rabies symptoms is essential for anyone who owns pets or lives in an area where certain types of wild animals are common. Rabies is a serious disease that can kill animals and humans. Animals infected with rabies may not show symptoms right away. If your dog or cat is bitten by another animal, especially if that other animal is wild, get it to a veterinarian right away. Rabies is most common in animals you may find in your neighborhood, including raccoons, skunks, foxes, coyotes and bats.
Stages of Rabies
There are several stages of rabies that begin after the virus has moved to the brain, though your pet may not go through all of them. In dogs it generally takes between three to eight weeks for rabies to move to the brain. In cats the time period is anywhere from two to six weeks. Since rabies is a slow-moving disease, it could take up to several months to a year for your pet to show signs of infection. Cat rabies symptoms and dog rabies symptoms are very similar once the infection reaches the brain.
Rabies travels to the salivary glands after it reaches the brain. This is when it is possible for your dog or cat to transfer rabies to another animal or person.
The prodromal phase is the first that your pet may experience. This stage may last from two to three days in dogs and one to two days in cats. The length of the prodromal stage is partially dependent on the proximity of the bite to the brain. The prodromal stage can be recognized by a marked change in behavior. Animals that were previously aggressive may become calm and friendly. Animals that were friendly may become aggressive and anxious. Your pet will most likely lick the site of the bite during this phase. The end of this stage is dangerous for other animals and humans because the rabies is transferrable, though there are no symptoms.
Next, your pet may go through the furious phase, also known as Mad Dog Syndrome. Your dog or cat may become extremely irritable and be extremely sensitive to sights and sounds. He may attempt to eat things he normally wouldn't, including inedible objects. Dogs do not like to be caged during this stage and may bite at their cages. Cats are more likely than dogs to experience the furious stage. Both dogs and cats are likely to attack during this stage.
The final stage of rabies is known as the paralytic stage. It may follow either the prodromal stage or the furious stage. You may notice a great deal of salivating coming from your pet; this is a sign that the end is near. Your animal's facial muscles will become paralyzed and she may have a dropped jaw and difficulty breathing. Eventually your pet will die from respiratory failure.
 | Rabies shots are reuqired for dogs, but cats are now more likely to contract this illness. New veterinary guidelines suggest that other pets and livestock should be vaccinated as well. |
 | Rabies in humans is fatal. This makes avoiding potentially infected animals and seeking prompt treatment for any animal bite essential. |
The rabies virus is almost always fatal, but it can be prevented with vaccination. Learn more about the stages of rabies and what you can do to prevent it. |
Prompt rabies treatment is crucial for anyone who may have been bitten or scratched by an infected animal. Learn about how the disease is diagnosed and treated. |
The rabies vaccine is mandatory for dogs and highly recommended for all cats. While there are some risks with the vaccine, they are far less dangerous than the prospect of a pet contracting rabies. |
