Non-fatal rabies in dogs and cats

Serological studies were performed in 1,015 dog brains and 144 cat brains collected in a rabies enzootic area. Significant levels of rabies virus neutralizing activity were observed in two dog brains and in one cat brain which had been negative for rabies by immunofluorescence and mouse inoculation tests. These results were compared with those obtained in the group of surviving animals at different times after onset of experimentally induced abortive rabies. The possibility that naturally infected animals recovered from rabies central nervous system infection is suggested.