Symptoms of rabies you may see in wild animals include:
–Unprovoked aggression: which causes some animals to attack anything that moves, sometimes even inanimate objects
–Unusual friendliness: which causes normally unsocial animals to approach people and nocturnal animals to be active in the daytime (keep in mind, though, some daytime activity is normal; especially when nocturnal animals are feeding their young)
–Stumbling, falling, appearing disoriented or wandering aimlessly
–Paralysis, often beginning in the hind legs or throat (throat paralysis can cause the animal to drool, choke, and froth at the mouth)
–Vocalization ranging from chattering to shrill screams
–Sore feet: raccoons may walk as if they are on hot pavement
– Rabies will eventually kill the infected animal
Skunks, raccoons, foxes, and dogs usually show unprovoked aggession, while bats become disoriented and unable to fly. Bats on the ground pose a risk to children and pets.
Domestic animals, such as cats, dogs, horses, cattle, sheep, and goatscan contract rabies. The disease may manifest as a sudden change in dispostion, failure to eat or drink,disorientation, or paralysis.
You cannot tell whether an animal is rabid just by it’s behavior. Other diseases, such as distemper and toxoplasmosis, can cause similar symptoms. The only way to prove an animal is rabid is to have it’s brain tissue tested.
