Rabies affects all mammals (warm blooded animals with backbones that produce milk and have fur or hair) including dogs and humans.
Rabies was eradicated from all UK animals except bats in 1922. The last case in an imported animal outside of quarantine was in 1970.
How to spot rabies
Early clinical signs of rabies include:
behaviour changes - friendly animals may become cautious, shy animals may become bold
in dogs, a tendency to excessively seek attention and lick owners
hypersensitivity to noise or light
This can be followed by:
increased aggression - dogs may try to break free and attack objects, animals and handlers
eyes taking on a staring expression
drooping lower jaw and more saliva than normal produced
itching
thirst
The final stages of rabies include:
weak muscles, especially legs and tail
difficulty swallowing
drooping eyelids
saliva frothing at the mouth
general paralysis followed by convulsions and coma before death
Some animals will show no signs at all, so laboratory tests are required to confirm rabies.
If a mammal that you own is bitten or scratched by a bat, or another animal that may be rabid, consult a vet.
How rabies is spread
Rabies is present in the saliva of infected animals and is usually spread by the bite of an infected animal.
Rabid saliva can also infect open wounds or mucous membranes such as the nostrils, mouth and lips, eyelids and ears.
Rabies was eradicated from all UK animals except bats in 1922. The last case in an imported animal outside of quarantine was in 1970.
How to spot rabies
Early clinical signs of rabies include:
behaviour changes - friendly animals may become cautious, shy animals may become bold
in dogs, a tendency to excessively seek attention and lick owners
hypersensitivity to noise or light
This can be followed by:
increased aggression - dogs may try to break free and attack objects, animals and handlers
eyes taking on a staring expression
drooping lower jaw and more saliva than normal produced
itching
thirst
The final stages of rabies include:
weak muscles, especially legs and tail
difficulty swallowing
drooping eyelids
saliva frothing at the mouth
general paralysis followed by convulsions and coma before death
Some animals will show no signs at all, so laboratory tests are required to confirm rabies.
If a mammal that you own is bitten or scratched by a bat, or another animal that may be rabid, consult a vet.
How rabies is spread
Rabies is present in the saliva of infected animals and is usually spread by the bite of an infected animal.
Rabid saliva can also infect open wounds or mucous membranes such as the nostrils, mouth and lips, eyelids and ears.