How does a rat with rabies behave? - briefly
A rat infected with rabies typically becomes highly aggressive, exhibits erratic, uncoordinated movements, excessive salivation, and may bite or scratch, progressing to paralysis and eventual death.
How does a rat with rabies behave? - in detail
A rat infected with rabies progresses through three phases: incubation, prodrome, and clinical disease.
During incubation, which may last from a few days to several weeks, the animal shows no outward signs. Viral replication occurs in peripheral nerves and travels toward the central nervous system.
The prodromal stage lasts 12–48 hours. The rat becomes unusually restless, may exhibit intermittent tremors, and shows a reduced response to external stimuli. Salivation may increase, and the animal may appear disoriented.
Clinical disease divides into two recognized forms:
- Furious (encephalitic) type – marked by heightened aggression, frequent biting, and attempts to escape confinement. The rat may display erratic locomotion, circling, and uncoordinated movements. Excessive drooling, facial muscle twitching, and a heightened startle response are common. Seizures can occur as the infection spreads throughout the brain.
- Paralytic (dumb) type – characterized by progressive weakness, especially in the hind limbs. The animal becomes lethargic, may adopt a hunched posture, and eventually loses the ability to stand or walk. Paralysis often begins in the facial muscles, leading to difficulty swallowing and further accumulation of saliva. Respiratory muscles may become compromised, leading to respiratory failure.
Both forms culminate in coma and death within 2–7 days after the onset of clinical signs. Throughout the clinical phase, the rat’s behavior deviates sharply from normal activity patterns: normal grooming and foraging cease, social interaction is replaced by either overt hostility or profound inactivity, and the animal loses the ability to regulate body temperature, resulting in hypothermia or fever.
Rabies transmission risk to humans and other animals persists as long as the infected rat exhibits salivation and biting behavior. Immediate isolation and humane euthanasia are recommended to prevent exposure.