How can you tell if a rat has rabies? - briefly
Observe extreme aggression, drooling or foaming, paralysis, or marked lethargy, then have a veterinarian perform a direct fluorescent antibody test on brain tissue for definitive diagnosis.
How can you tell if a rat has rabies? - in detail
Rats infected with rabies display a short, recognizable progression of clinical signs that differ from normal rodent behavior. Early symptoms include excessive salivation, loss of appetite, and lethargy. As the disease advances, the animal may become unusually aggressive, bite or scratch without provocation, or conversely exhibit extreme paralysis and inability to move. Neurological abnormalities such as tremors, ataxia, circling, and loss of coordination are common. A notable change is a heightened sensitivity to light and sound, often accompanied by vocalization or frantic attempts to escape.
Diagnostic confirmation requires laboratory testing. The gold‑standard method is direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) testing of brain tissue, typically performed post‑mortem. Alternative techniques include reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‑PCR) on saliva, cerebrospinal fluid, or brain homogenate, and virus isolation in cell culture. Immunohistochemistry can also reveal viral antigens in neural tissue. Live‑animal testing is not feasible; therefore, observation of the described clinical pattern combined with a history of exposure to a known rabid source guides decision‑making.
Because rabies prevalence in rodent species, including rats, is exceptionally low, any suspected case should trigger immediate isolation of the animal, use of personal protective equipment, and notification of public health authorities. Prompt reporting ensures that appropriate post‑exposure prophylaxis can be administered to individuals potentially exposed to the animal’s saliva or nervous tissue.