Call animal control and tell them about the animal, including where it is and what it’s doing. Don’t approach the animal.
Normally tame animals might growl, bark, or snap at people. Wild animals may run or try to attack people. Infected animals may show signs of destructive behavior, such as hurting themselves, property, or the environment around them. [1] X Research source
Anxiety may manifest through nervous ticks or irregular movement. A rabies-infected animal may demonstrate anxiety by licking or chewing on their initial point of infection. Anxiety may make the animal seem fearful of contact with people or other animals. Anxiety may manifest through uncharacteristic shyness or irritability. Thus, normally friendly animals will be less social. [2] X Research source
Stay away from stray or feral animals that seem friendly. A friendly animal can turn aggressive very quickly, especially if they are infected with rabies. Avoid approaching a wild animal because it shows signs that it is friendly. Some infected wild animals may seem unusually calm or even docile. [3] X Research source
Dribbles of saliva from the mouth. Foaming of the mouth. Excessive licking around the mouth, in a seemingly erratic pattern. [4] X Research source
Paralysis often manifests in the head or throat. Paralysis may occur in the arms, legs, or elsewhere in the body. Paralysis may begin around the site of infection and gradually move throughout the animal’s entire body. [5] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Characterized by shaking, rapid contraction of muscles, and irregular breathing. Often the first sign before paralysis. Present in about half the cases of paralytic rabies. Not always present in rabies-infected animals. [6] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Bitten by an infected animal. Scratched by an infected animal. Exposed to the saliva, brain matter, or nerve tissue of an infected animal through an open wound or by touching mucous membranes.
The incubation period is roughly three weeks to eight weeks. Infected animals often die within 5 days after clinical signs of infection appear. There is no cure for rabies. After clinical signs appear, death is almost guaranteed. [7] X Research source
Raccoons are most associated with rabies in eastern North America. Skunks commonly suffer from rabies. Foxes are susceptible to rabies infection. Bats are known carriers of rabies, worldwide. Squirrels are rarely infected by rabies but commonly suffer from a brain parasite that shows signs like rabies. Opossums are very resistant to rabies but may exhibit rabies-associated behaviors (aggression, salivation, and more) as part of their defense mechanism. [8] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
A doctor will clean your wound. If you have not been vaccinated before, a doctor will vaccinate you against the rabies virus. The doctor may contact local authorities to alert them to the possibility of a rabies outbreak among domestic or wild animals. [9] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
Contact your veterinarian to make an appointment to have your pet vaccinated.
