Although there is usually a long incubation period of several weeks, once rabies is manifest it progresses fairly fast, starting with anxiety and difficulty swallowing then seizures, coma and death. Rabies is caused by a virus.

Lyme disease is caused by spiral shaped bacteria termed Borrelia burgdorferi.One acquires the spirochete via a tick bite. Manifestations are divided into three stages, early localized, early disseminated and late disease. After the bite from an infected tick, a pimple forms and expands over days to weeks to form a ring like red rash. Fever, muscle aches and pains, neck stiffness and joint pains may accompany.

Early disseminated disease consists of outbreaks of similar but smaller primary lesions. Palsies of various cranial nerves, especially the seventh (facial) nerve can occur. Heart inflammation and heart block may occur.

Late disease is most commonly associated with recurrent arthritis, especially in the large joints.

All manifestations of Lyme disease are quite variable from case to case.

Once infection occurs, the rabies virus grows in muscle tissue and may go undetected for several days or months. during this incubation (or latent) period, the animal appears healthy and shows no sign of infection. usually within 1 to 3 months, the virus migrates to the nerves near the site of the infection and spreads to the spinal cord and brain (i.e., the central nervous system). it usually takes from 12 to 180 days to spread through the peripheral nerves to the central nervous system. at this point, the disease progresses rapidly, and the animal begins to show the classic behavioral signs of rabies. the virus spreads to the saliva, tears, breast milk, and urine. the animal usually dies in 4 or 5 days.Rabies causes typical symptoms. the infection progresses in a predictable manner, from the initial prodormal phase to the excitative, or furious, phase to the final paralytic phase.the first sign usually is a change in behavior. Pet owners should be aware that behavioral changes can occur as a result of many conditions, from digestive disorders to poisoning.Rabid animals usually stop eating and drinking, and may appear to want to be left alone. After the initial onset of symptoms, the animal may become vicious or begin to show signs of paralysis. some rabid animals bite at the slightest provocation and others may be somnolent and difficult to arouse. once the animal shows signs of paralysis, the disease progresses very quickly and the animal dies..?