How to Recognize a Rabid Animal

There are three phases in the course of Rabies. Death occurs three to seven days after symptoms appear.

1. Prodromal Stage (2-3 days) - Behavioral changes (a friendly animal may become shy and hide in a corner, a shy animal may become snappy, uncertain or unusually friendly), fever, slow eye reflexes and chewing at the bite site.

2. Furious Stage (2-4 days) - Erratic behavior which includes irritability, restlessness, barking aggression, vicious attacks on inanimate objects and unexplained roaming; disorientation and seizures may develop. It may bite indiscriminately - its chain, other animals, people, its owner, itself, etc.

3. Paralytic Stage (2-4 days) - Signs of paralysis develop, usually beginning at the bite site; paralysis of the throat and face causing strange utterances and hoarse howls. (At this time one may mistakenly think that the dog or cat has something in its throat and infect themselves while attempting to look in the animal’s mouth), drooling of saliva with typical foaming at the mouth 9hydrophobia) and a dropped jaw; followed by depression, coma and death from respiratory paralysis (inability to breathe)

If you know or suspect that an animal has rabies, keep humans and other animals away from the suspect animal. Keep track of the animal's location and contact Davao City Veterinary Office at (082) 255-0511.