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N.C. Department of Health and Human Services I North Carolina Public Health <br />There are two <br />common forms <br />of rabies: <br />Dumb rabies: <br />The animal may <br />be shy or hide; <br />be unusually <br />approachable: <br />slow, depressed <br />and confused. <br />Furious rabies: <br />The animal may <br />show erratic <br />behavior: be <br />excitable, irritable, <br />or aggressive, or <br />confused and calm; <br />or suddenly attack <br />when approached. <br />Other Signs <br />Daytime activity in <br />animals normally <br />active at night <br />A change in the <br />sound of the <br />animal's voice <br />Staggering, <br />weakness or <br />paralysis <br />Inability to eat or <br />drink <br />Drooling <br />Convulsions and <br />frothing at the <br />mouth <br />Ultimately rabies ends <br />in paralysis, coma and <br />death. <br />Know what <br />to do if you are <br />bitten by a wild <br />or stray animal, <br />or a pet <br />1. Wash the wound <br />thoroughly with <br />soap and irrigate <br />with warm water <br />for 15 minutes. <br />2. For wild animals <br />and stray dogs or <br />cats, call animal <br />control at once <br />for safe capture. <br />Only confine the <br />animal if this can be <br />done safely, and if it <br />is necessary to kill <br />the animal, do not <br />damage the head. <br />An intact brain is <br />needed for rabies <br />testing. <br />