http://www.purinaone.com/catcare_con...ICDB_Session=1
"After coming in contact with
the virus, the bitten animal
may go through one or all of
several stages.---- If the bitten
animal is a skunk it may not
show any symptoms at all but
could become a lifelong
carrier. ------With most animals, however, the virus will
spread through the nerves of the bitten animal
towards the brain. The virus is relatively slow
moving and the average time of incubation from
exposure to brain involvement is between 3 to 8
weeks in dogs, 2 to 6 weeks in cats, and 3 to 6
weeks in people. However incubation periods as
long as 6 months in dogs and 12 months in people
have been reported. After the virus reaches the
brain it then will move to the salivary glands where
it can be spread through a bite. After the virus
reaches the brain the animal will show one, two or
all of the three different phases.
Prodromal phase
The first is the prodromal phase and usually lasts
for 2-3 days in dogs. Apprehension, nervousness,
anxiety, solitude, and a fever may be noted.
Friendly animals may become shy or irritable and
may snap, whereas aggressive animals may
become affectionate and docile. Most animals will
constantly lick the site of the bite. In cats, the
prodromal phase lasts for only 1-2 days and they
usually develop more fever spikes and erratic
behavior than dogs.

Furious phase
From the prodromal phase, animals may enter the
furious stage; cats are particularly prone to
developing this phase. The furious stage of the
disease in dogs usually lasts for 1 to 7 days.
Animals become restless and irritable and are
hyper responsive to auditory and visual stimuli. As
they become more restless, they begin to roam
and become more irritable and vicious. When
caged, dogs may bite and attack their enclosures.
Animals progress to become disoriented and then
have seizures and eventually die.

Paralytic (dumb) phase
Animals may develop the paralytic phase either
after the prodromal or furious stage. The paralytic
phase usually develops within 2 to 4 days after the
first signs are noted. Nerves affecting the head and
throat are the first to be involved and animals may
begin to salivate as a result of their inability to
swallow. Deep labored breathing and a dropped
jaw may result as the diaphragm and face muscles
become increasingly paralyzed. Animals may
make a choking sound and many owners think that
there is something lodged in the dog’s throat. This
was the case with both dogs I was exposed to and
the owners were also exposed as they had been
looking in the dog’s mouth for a foreign object. The
animal will get weaker and eventually go into
respiratory failure and die."
Ingrid

Ann wrote:

expounded:

after raccoons they are the most likely to carry rabies. not a good animal to have
living that close to the house. not to mention the stench when they blow off some
nosy cat. Ingrid

Well, then, don't pat them! And if they are rabid, they'll be acting
strange, like coming out during the day, etc. No one wants skunks
living under their porch, but they do fit into the ecological balance
of nature.



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