During this viremia the circulating virus localizes in the dermal blood vessels, grows through the endothelium and spreads across dermal tissues to infect the epidermis and cause vesicle formation. Epithelial cells are destroyed by the virus. There is interstitial edema and secondary leukocyte infiltration into the vesicle which separates the epithelium from underlying tissues. Thus, vesicles are formed. In other species vesiculation only occurs locally.
Lesions can spread by extension.
Incubation period is 2-8 days. Vesicular stomatitis can occur concurrently with Foot and Mouth disease . However, lesions may be innocuous five to six days later. This is especially true for animals with shared water and feed sources. Use of coarse feed may aid in the spread of infection.