What are common symptoms associated with a rabid dog?

The symptoms associated with a rabid dog include aggression and excessive salivation. This behavior is primarily due to the effects of the rabies virus on the animal's nervous system, leading to changes in behavior and increased irritability or aggression. Additionally, excessive salivation occurs as a result of difficulty swallowing, which is common in rabies-infected animals.

Other signs may also be present, like ataxia (lack of coordination), paralysis, and disorientation, but the combination of aggression and excessive salivation is particularly characteristic of rabies. This make these symptoms critical indicators for identifying a potentially rabid dog, especially for individuals working in environmental health and public safety.

The other options listed describe symptoms that are not typically associated with rabies, demonstrating that the correct identification of symptoms is crucial for accurate diagnosis and appropriate action in cases of potential rabies exposure.