After how long do rats show signs of rabies? - briefly
Rats usually develop observable rabies symptoms about one to two weeks after exposure. Once clinical signs appear, death often follows within a few days.
After how long do rats show signs of rabies? - in detail
Rats are exceptionally resistant to rabies infection, and when they do become infected, the disease progresses rapidly. Experimental studies indicate an incubation period of 7–21 days, with most cases showing clinical manifestations within 10–14 days after exposure. The following timeline summarizes the typical course:
- Incubation (7–21 days): Virus replicates at the entry site and travels via peripheral nerves to the central nervous system. No observable signs appear.
- Prodromal phase (1–3 days): Subtle behavioral changes such as reduced activity, mild anorexia, or slight tremors may be noted.
- Neurological phase (2–5 days): Pronounced signs develop, including:
- Ataxia and loss of coordination
- Hyperexcitability or paralysis of limbs
- Excessive salivation and foaming at the mouth
- Aggressive or unusually docile behavior
- Terminal stage (1–2 days): Progressive paralysis leads to respiratory failure and death.
Because natural infection in rats is rare, most data derive from laboratory inoculations using high viral loads. In field conditions, the likelihood of a rat displaying rabies symptoms is low, and any observed case would typically progress through the above stages within a three‑week window from exposure to death.