When should the first signs of rabies appear?

2 weeks to 3 months: The incubation period (time from getting the virus to getting first symptoms) is about 2 weeks to 3 months. When the symptoms first appear, it is too late already. Since rabies is fatal, rabies shots should start right away after exposure to the saliva (usually from a bite) of an infected animal.

Clinical rabies: The symptoms of rabies after a 'real' exposure usually average 3 weeks to 3 months for humans. Extremes can sometimes occur with the shortest incubation times of 4 days for bites to the eye or through the skull. The longest incubations are 'years' in duration - with 1, 5 and 10 or more years documented. Best to 'define' that exposure, then seek treatment before any symptoms develop.

Variable: The virus has to travel to the brain so the further the bite is from the brain the longer it takes to manifest. So you die sooner from a bite to the face than one to the foot... http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/index.html