Rabies Symptoms
Rabies symptoms are similar in both humans and animals but there are different things to look out for depending on the animal. The length of time that the virus takes to fully infect the host and manifest symptoms varies greatly according to the distance on the body from the infection site to the brain.
Only 15% of humans, cats or dogs actually contract the disease when exposed and the incubation period (usually about 12 weeks) can last up to 2 years. These factors can obscure the identification of rabies when the host begins to show the first flu-like symptoms so it is of utmost importance to determine the health of an animal when a bite occurs. Post-exposure vaccination is highly successful if administered before the virus travels along the peripheral nerves to the central nervous system and before symptoms appear.
Use the links below for specific symptoms in humans, cats, and dogs.