Two quite different forms of rabies are possible. In the furious form, the animal is excited, aggressive, irritable, and may snap at anything in its path. It loses all caution and fear of natural enemies. If the animal has the dumb form of the disease, it may appear unusually tame, affectionate and friendly. Staggering, paralysis, and frothing at the mouth are sometimes noticed.
Many animals have a change in the sound of their voice.
Since rabies virus lives in the saliva of rabid animals, a bite is the most common way the disease is spread. People may also become exposed to rabies by being scratched by a rabid animal or getting saliva gets into an open wound on the skin, and saliva contact with mucous membranes of the eyes, nose or mouth. There is no danger from touching or petting a rabid animal unless saliva from that animal gets into an open wound, or your eyes, nose or mouth. If this happens, you should see your doctor immediately. Just being in the same room or in the same vicinity as an animal with rabies does not result in exposure.