What are rabid animals?

Answer 1

A rabid animal is one that is infected with the rabies virus. If an animal isn't infected with with the rabies virus, it isn't rabid.

The signs of this virus don't necessarily show immediately upon exposure, but after a period of incubation which is determined in large part to the distance the disease has to travel to reach it's goal; the central nervous system. It usually requires several months; but once there, the infection begins to show the signs that most people associate with rabies.

Signs of rabies include nonspecific symptoms initially: lethargy, fever, vomiting, and anorexia, acting/looking sick. Signs progress within days of infection to cerebral dysfunction, cranial nerve dysfunction, ataxia (loss of coordinated muscle movement), weakness, paralysis, seizures, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, excessive salivation, foaming at the mouth, unusual behavior, aggression, snarling, baring it's teeth, biting, and/or self-mutilation. Rabies is almost always fatal, due to acute encephalitis. Confirmation of infection is done postmortem by analyzing brain tissue.

Because rabies can be transmitted through saliva, if possible, attempt to safely contain any animal that has bitten someone, and keep it isolated while monitoring it closely for signs of illness. Contact your veterinarian, or local Animal Control, Health Dept, CDC, or Wildlife and Game Warden immediately. They will have the information, equipment, and facilities to transport and quarantine the animal properly.

The paw prints of an infected animal might be more wide-spread than a healthy one. The animal may not be foaming from the mouth. An infected wild animal if nocturnal, maybe out in broad daylight, behaving strangely and making odd sounds. Sometimes an infected animal (wild or tame) will not spook, or shy away as you expect, but in fact, it will stand it's ground, displaying odd behavior and even try to attack you or a pet, repeatedly.

Much of this information was obtained directly from the CDC. For more details, please see sites listed below.

Yes! -But you forgot they could be shooed away by waving with a stick or hand or kicking and remember NEVER turn your back on a wild animal even if it doesn't have SIGNS of rabies.

Answer 2

Pretty much any animal can go rabid, even humans. The Rabies virus can infect any animal based creature.

Answer 3

animals with disease rabies. a common symptom is foaming of the mouth and if they bite you or another animal they will get rabies too