The virus then moves from the brain to the salivary glands and other parts of the body. The incubation period, which is the time between exposure to the virus and clinical disease, may be from two weeks to many months. Its length depends on a number of factors, including the strain of rabies, and the location of the bite. Animals with rabies may show a variety of different signs. Most of them relate to the effect of the virus on the brain.
Rabies can appear in two basic forms, dumb rabies and furious rabies.
Dumb Rabies Owners may notice that their animal is depressed, and trying to hide in isolated places. Wild animals may lose their fear of humans, and appear unusually friendly. Wild animals that usually only come out at night may be out during the day. The animal may have paralysis. Areas most commonly affected are the face or neck, causing abnormal facial expressions or drooling, or the body, usually the hind legs.