Could i have possibly contracted rabies? what are the early symptoms?

Yes if Bitten: Rabies is contracted by contact with saliva of infected animals- through bites or licking of cuts. The first symptoms are flu-like illness: fatigue, fever, aches & pains. This can progress onto a tingling or pin prick sensation. Finally brain symptoms develop (confusion, anxiety, abnormal behavior) once symptoms develop the disease is fatal. If bitten, wash wound well & go to doctor for treatment.

Rabies: Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The vast majority of rabies cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) each year occur in wild animals like raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes. http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/index.html