[Symptoms of rabies in pets and domestic animals in South Africa and South West Africa (author's transl)].

The most obvious symptoms of rabies in farm animals and pets in South Africa and South-West Africa are discussed in the light of information obtained during routine examination of specimens for the 10-year-period 1967--1976. More than 55% of the cases encountered were cattle in which the most obvious symptoms were salivation (92%), bellowing (69%), aggressiveness (47%), paresis or paralysis (30%) and straining (12%). Unlike cattle, the most obvious symptom in goats was aggressiveness (83%). Salivation was observed in ony 29% of goats but, like bellowing in cattle, bleating was very obvious in 72% of cases. Sheep were usually quiet, but 67% were aggressive. Salivation was observed in 30%, while 27% showed an abnormal sexual desire. The second highest incidence of rabies was recorded in dogs (20%). Aggressiveness was the most obvious symptom (71%) followed by salivation (48%), paresis and paralysis (28%) and barking (11%). With the exception of salivation and paresis, which were rarely encountered, aggressiveness was the only symptom observed in cats. Several cats were encountered with rabies-like symptoms due to organic phosphate poisoning. The most obvious symptoms in horses and donkeys were aggressiveness (77%), paresis or paralysis 33%), the chewing of foreign matter (33%) and salivation 22%). It is obvious that other conditions can easily be confused with rabies. Therefore every possible cause for rabies-like behaviour must be considered and eliminated to avoid unnecessary destruction of animals.